In a career spanning the business, government and nonprofit sectors, Penny has held leadership positions in the Asia-Pacific with global multinationals including Visa Inc, the digital payments company and consulting firm McKinsey&Company. Most recently, she was Group CEO of Australia’s leading center for Asia engagement, Asialink. A former senior diplomat, Penny represented Australia in Asia (including in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia), and the United Nations in Geneva and New York. She also served as a senior Asia Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia.

Penny has been an executive board member with key business associations and nonprofits in Singapore, Australia and the United States including the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Singapore, the U.S. National Centre for APEC, and the Singapore Institute of International Affairs. Penny’s current appointments include Board Member at the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, the Asian Business Trade Association, the ASEAN-Australia Strategic Youth Partnership, and the Melbourne School of Government. She is an Adjunct Fellow with Gateway House, India’s Council on Global Relations and with the Australia-India Institute.

Penny was awarded the Australian Chamber of Commerce President’s Medal in June 2023 in recognition of her service to the Australia-Singapore relationship.