She graduated from University of San Diego Law School while working for a federal magistrate full time in 1976. She was also an instructor in the paralegal school at USD and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at San Diego State University. She serves and has served on many nonprofit boards, including the Osher Advisory Board, the Elementary Institute of Science (EIS), ElderHelp of San Diego (EHSD), the Alzheimer’s Association of San Diego, and the California Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform. She served as president of the EIS and EHSD Boards. Wenker also serves on the Managed Competition Independent Review Board for the city of San Diego.