A self-described accidental activist, Penny is​ ​the Past-President of the Montreal Council of Women, a VP with the Provincial Council (PCWQ), and prior to joining the NCWC Board has served as the Convenor on Children and Youth. In 2020 she founded “Canadians4Action”- an informal collective of NGOs and professionals from across Canada dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for legislation directed to protecting children from online abuse and exploitation. She is also a member of the G100 Anti-Human Trafficking working group as well as advisor to the Quebec based Salvation Army initiative addressing care for victims of trafficking.

She began her eclectic career path in the UK, where, having completed her studies in Early Childhood Education she made a radical career shift to the world of marketing and advertising as a columnist for the 70’s trade magazine Media World. Penny worked at London Broadcasting/ Radio Sales and Marketing helping to promote and set up the then new commercial radio network in the UK before joining Downton Advertising/Saatchi and Saatchi.

Upon returning to Canada (and to teaching), she volunteered with and has sat on several non-profit boards including Les Amies du Neuro, as well as working two years as the Executive Director of an inner-city mission.
 
An active member of the Anglican Church of Canada, she sits on the Sexual Exploitation Working Group of the Canadian Council of Churches and is Spokesperson on Human Trafficking as well as Chair of the Mission Standing Committee of the Diocese of Montreal.
A mother of three, she and her husband live in Montreal, from which, pre-covid they enjoyed both traveling for pleasure and  voluntourism (Guyana and the Philippines).