9 July 2026

Geneva Employee Spotlight: Penina Tinae Connects Purpose with Opportunity

Every breakthrough in military medical research begins with the people behind it. For more than 13 years, Penina Tinae, CRS, Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at The Geneva Foundation, has helped build that workforce by connecting talented professionals with opportunities to advance research that improves the health, readiness, and resilience of Service members.

Penina leads Geneva’s talent acquisition strategy, overseeing recruitment operations, hiring processes, candidate engagement, and a dedicated talent acquisition team. Working closely with leaders across the organization, she helps recruit the specialized workforce needed to support research, development, and innovation while ensuring a positive and efficient experience for candidates and hiring teams alike.

For Penina, the most rewarding part of her work is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives while supporting a mission that serves something greater.

“What inspires me every day is knowing that the work I do can change someone’s life,” she said. “There’s nothing quite like offering someone a job and hearing the joy in their voice. Whether they’re starting a new chapter, pursuing a long-held dream, transitioning out of the military, supporting their family, or stepping into the world of research, their excitement reminds me why this work matters. Geneva’s dedication fuels efforts that aim to save human lives. That sense of purpose makes showing up each day worthwhile.”

That sense of purpose has guided Penina throughout her career at Geneva. Before joining the organization, she supported Service members and their families as a government contractor while attending college full time and raising a family during her husband’s military deployments. After joining Geneva, she transitioned from the Grants and Contracts Department into Human Resources, earning her bachelor’s degree, becoming a Certified Recruiting Specialist, and expanding her expertise across recruitment, research administration, education, and management.

Today, Penina is helping modernize Geneva’s hiring experience through improved recruitment technology, AI-enabled qualitative candidate assessments, an enhanced careers site, and expanded outreach to veterans and military spouses. These efforts strengthen Geneva’s ability to recruit exceptional talent while supporting the organization’s long-term mission and growth.

Her work has contributed to several significant milestones. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Penina led the rapid hiring of more than 100 positions supporting critical clinical trials. She also launched Geneva’s first Military Spouse Employer Partnership program, creating new opportunities to connect military spouses with meaningful careers. As a military spouse herself, she understands the unique challenges of frequent relocations and inconsistent employment, making the initiative especially meaningful. Representing Geneva as a panel speaker at the Military Spouse Employer Partnership’s first Military Spouse Symposium was a full-circle moment that reflected both her personal journey and Geneva’s commitment to the military community.

Whether supporting a major clinical research effort, expanding opportunities for military spouses, or connecting talented professionals with meaningful careers, Penina sees every hire as an investment in Geneva’s mission. By recruiting and retaining the specialized workforce behind the organization’s research programs, she helps ensure the teams are in place to advance innovations that improve the health and readiness of those who serve our nation.