Kenna Ramirez served as Chairwoman and Board Member, from 2006-2008, at the Housing Authority of the City of El Paso,U.S. Housing & Urban Development (HUD), the nation’s 6th largest, with oversight of $74 million budget, 6,000 employees and 61,000 public housing residents. Her responsibilities included overseeing Housing Authority programs and their adherence to federal guidelines, budgetary compliance, educational programs, construction, maintenance, safety, media and public relations.
Much of her time was spent in meetings with Housing Authority residents to address issues concerning public safety and health, transportation, and education. As spokesperson representing the Board externally to the public and the media, and internally to the residents and staff, Kenna created and implemented several innovative programs designed to drastically improve the lives and opportunities of residents.

Kenna's career spans more than 15 years having served as campaign manager for her late husband Carlos Ramirez (D-El Paso), who became Mayor in 1997 and re-elected in 1999. Interestingly, she was co-chair in El Paso of the Campaign for the Reelection of Governor Bush and was responsible for the organization, coordination and grassroots activities that resulted in the first and only time a Republican governor has won in the heavily Democratic County of El Paso.

As First Lady of El Paso, she mobilized resources for the improvement of health and education of children.

Kenna Ramirez has served on many boards including the Texas Commision of the Arts, El Paso YMCA, Association of Frontotemporal Dementias, etc