Ava Pennill, MA

Speaker Information

Mrs. Pennill is currently a lecturer at the University of Belize in the Social Work Department, Faculty of Health Sciences.

Mrs. Pennill brings over thirty years of experience in social service administration and delivery, as well as participation in social policy development in Belize. She has served as the Director of the Women’s Department, Human Services Department and the Youth Department. In addition, she has served as a member on major policy making bodies including the National Committee for Families and Children, the National AIDS Commission, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Council, the National Council on Aging and as a member of the Social Security Board Non-Contributory Pension Program. Ms. Pennill continues to be active in the social arena as she volunteers with many agencies and programs including Belizean Association for Persons with Disabilities, and Care for Child Development. Her career has focused on working with and for extremely vulnerable populations.

Mrs. Pennill’s service with the University of Belize focuses on strengthening the link between the community and the Social Work Department, allowing for a seamless transition for students from the classroom to the field. This relationship has led to many collaborative opportunities and has offered social work students relevant social work internship experience, meaningful volunteer experience, and sensitization on emergent issues.

Mrs. Pennill has a Masters Degree in International Child Welfare from the University of East Anglia.