As a youngster, Gena wrote plays and portrayed all the characters, performing to a packed porch of various barnyard animals and her uninterested siblings on the family farm. She went on to graduate summa cum laude from Indiana's Ball State University and was one of the first recipients of a David Letterman Internship. Gena then started acting in local and regional productions. She also worked as copywriter and talent for local radio, as well as writing short stories for children's publications. After being chosen from over 1000 contestants in a Nationwide Talent Search for Aaron Spelling's first daytime soap, "Sunset Beach," Gena made the solo drive to Los Angeles. Acting in both comedic and dramatic productions, commercials and voiceovers, Gena also enjoys working behind the camera in casting, continuity, writing, consulting and production roles. She was proud to help on both the play and film versions of acclaimed show, "Jonna's Body, please hold." She co-wrote her first screenplay with writing partner, Kristin Palombo. They produced and debuted the short film version of "She's a Biscuit" at the LA Film School. Gena had the privilege of being part of the team who assembled the cast of haunting independent film "The Yellow Wallpaper," shot in sweltering Georgia by director Logan Thomas. She worked with Hollywood greats, Michael Moriarty, Raymond J. Barry, Veronica Cartwright, Dale Dickey, Juliet Landau, as well as up and comers Sharon Blackwood of Academy-nominated "Loving," Jessi Case of "Mother's Day," a very young Kyla Kenedy of ABC's "Speechless," and Gena played the wife of Joe Williamson's ("Grey's Anatomy") character Travis Preston. Gena received favorable reviews for her role as the mother of a serial killer in prolific writer/director Jared Cohn's "Death Pool," working with deadly film son, Randy Wayne. Other passionate pursuits include art, photography, travel plus fundraising and volunteer work with multiple charities, including Friends of El Faro, Camp Harmony, LA Food Bank and HoldYou Foundation. She is also a warrior, speaker, t-shirt creator and advocate for cancer awareness. An avid traveler, Gena created a project called "Redressing the Globe," re-wearing a dress she got for a friend's wedding, all over the world, and hoping to create a way to help young girls afford dresses for momentous occasions.