After completing her army service in a combat communications unit and throughout her studies, Penina has always felt passionate about International Relations and working with the youth of Israel from all backgrounds; her dream was to find a career that would combine the two. She spent 4 years teaching high school groups and university students a carefully constructed program on diplomacy and International Relations and 6 years working with teenage girls at-risk through violence prevention self-defense programs. 

Penina has always felt a strong connection to Israel and sense of commitment towards its youth as she too arrived here as a young girl. She was provided many opportunities which contributed to her success and she joined ENP to ensure that each child in the Ethiopian-Israeli community can benefit the same way she did and receive just as many opportunities to achieve their goals and aspirations.