Before coming to Canada she was employed in Italy for a total of seven years with Pramaggiore, Beloit Italia and North American Aviation S.p.A. As an émigré to Canada, Terrana began a new professional life by teaching English and Italian part time, before she was employed as a Secretary and Assistant at the Immigration Office Of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver, the IOS Investment Company, the Greater Vancouver Community Credit Union and at Simon Fraser University.

She then served as the Administrative Assistant of the BC Police Commission from 1974 to 1984 before  becoming the executive director of the Italian Cultural Centre Society in Vancouver, Canada from 1987 to 1993.

Importantly to her, Terrana sat as the representative of the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs on the BC Treaty Negotiation Advisory Committee.

The Canadian general election held on June 2, 1997, incorporated a new system of staggered voting hours across Canada that was based on Anna Terrana's Private Member's Bill.

Terrana was instrumental in the construction of the Casa Serena and Villa Carital Senior Citizens’ homes located at the Italian Cultural Centre.