Penna’s heart is in educating and encouraging Christians to influence the culture and politics. She worked as a consultant overseeing the launch and production of the Family Research Council’s nationally syndicated radio program, Washington Watch Weekly. For eight years she served as Marlin Maddoux’s co-host on Point of View and for two years she co-hosted a daily drive time live broadcast on the Dallas-based Criswell Radio Network.

Penna served a term on the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. She served for three years as a Texas Area Director for Concerned Women for America and for ten years on the Executive Advisory Board for Golden Corridor Republican Women’s Club in Dallas, Texas.

Penna’s interest in conservative politics and the issues that affect the family began when she was a child working on political campaigns with her parents. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in International Relations. She spent 8 years in the banking industry. She and her husband Todd have three children and nine grandchildren. They attend Christ Church in Plano, Texas. Penna serves on the church’s vestry.