Kimberly Penn has spent her entire career building, questioning and re‑imagining what’s possible in technology—and who gets to participate in it. The founder of Webtropolis, the first woman‑owned tech firm in Texas, traces the early curiosity that led her from Radio Shack aisles to ownership, leadership and long‑term impact in IT.
We asked Penn to reflect on a career that spans technical auditing, risk mitigation, startups, drone technology and entrepreneurship programs, and how those experiences shaped Webtropolis into a legacy organization grounded in problem‑solving and strategic thinking. As a GTIA board member, she shares why education and inclusion are inseparable from innovation, what excites her most about GTIA’s philanthropic commitments and how embracing nontraditional paths strengthens the entire community. Here’s what Penn had to say.
You founded Webtropolis more than three decades ago and built the first woman-owned tech firm in Texas. What inspired you to start that business, and what’s kept you in the game this long?
Since I was very young, technology and entrepreneurship have been steady threads running through my life. When I returned to the United States in the mid-80s, you could usually find me wandering around Radio Shack—it was my personal playground for exploration and discovery.
The idea that eventually grew into Webtropolis was sparked by two realizations: First, that building real wealth requires ownership, and second, that my love of learning could thrive in the world of information technology—a field that demands constant curiosity and lifelong learning. What has kept me going all these years is simple: I don’t just own the team; I’m also the coach. The combination of leadership, innovation and continuous learning keeps me energized and committed to the game.
Your career spans technical auditing, risk mitigation, startups, drones and entrepreneurship programs. How have those varied experiences shaped the way you lead Webtropolis today?
My career has taken me through technical auditing, risk mitigation, startup ecosystems, drone technology and entrepreneurship programs—and each of those experiences directly shapes how I lead Webtropolis today. Webtropolis has been my long-standing venture, built around conducting rigorous technical audits for federally funded organizations. At the same time, my work with startups and entrepreneurship has put me at the intersection of defense innovation and academic leadership. Collaborating with warfighters, inventors, entrepreneurs and university students allows me to channel my patriotism into meaningful, future-focused work.
My fascination with drones began in 2016, sparked by a Christmas wish that Santa didn’t quite fulfill. I ended up buying my own DJI Phantom, and within a year, that curiosity evolved into a risk-mitigation consulting firm in the drone sector. Today, I lead Webtropolis as a legacy IT organization shaped by a lifetime of diverse professional experiences. It’s now a company grounded in problem-solving, risk mitigation and strategic thinking—reflecting everything I’ve learned across the many chapters of my career.
You’ve supported entrepreneurs and underserved communities through initiatives like Techpak and your entrepreneur-in-residence roles. How does that passion for inclusion and education influence what you want to do through GTIA?
GTIA has committed to awarding $5 million in philanthropic grants to member-nominated schools and nonprofits as part of our 2026 giving initiative. As a member of the global board of directors, I’m genuinely energized by this commitment because it turns our values into meaningful, actionable impact.
My passion for inclusion and education has always guided my work—from Techpak to my entrepreneur-in-residence roles—and it directly shapes what I want to champion through GTIA. Education drives inclusion, and inclusion fuels diversity of thought. When we broaden who gets access to opportunity, we expand who gets to innovate. And that diversity of thought isn’t just good for communities, it leads to stronger innovation and ultimately delivers a higher return on investment. That’s the spirit behind our philanthropic vision at GTIA: Opening doors, elevating talent and creating the conditions where more people can contribute to what’s possible.
As a GTIA board member, what impact are you most excited to make for members, especially those coming from nontraditional backgrounds or emerging sectors?
I’m most excited to help members recognize that everyone comes from a nontraditional background in one way or another. When we embrace that truth, we remove the pressure to “fit the mold” and instead create space for people to bring their full, authentic perspectives to the table. That mindset not only empowers members from emerging sectors or unconventional paths—it strengthens our entire GTIA community.
And just for fun, when you’re not leading companies or mentoring founders, what’s something you enjoy doing?
When I’m not leading companies or mentoring founders, I love building LEGO kits. For me, their brain food—they sharpen my strategic thinking, strengthen my troubleshooting skills and require a level of patience that I genuinely enjoy.
Meet the GTIA Board of Directors! Read the blog series.
