Penny began her career as a CPS Social Worker, and then became a parenting educator, teacher trainer and consultant in the field of human development and adult-child relationships, practicing for over 40 years. She has held a number of professional positions in non-profit agencies, schools and community colleges working directly with parents, teachers, children, and early childhood students/staff, as well as foster/adoptive caregivers and social workers. Penny retired in 2011, but continues to provide trainings as a Consultant through Respectful Relationships Consulting. She is a Certified Lead Trainer with the Positive Discipline Association, and a Senior Facilitator with Sound Discipline, Inc.

Penny received her B.A in Sociology from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, and her M.A in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, CA. Her graduate work was focused on attachment, brain development and behavior of children with a focus on those who have experienced chronic trauma (abuse and/or neglect), and the use of Positive Discipline with this population. As a result of this work, she has extensive experience training social service staff and caregivers regarding behavior management of children with trauma histories.