Pina is a career educator who has spent the past 33 years in both instructional and consulting capacities within the education sector. Having worked directly with young children and teenagers she is acutely aware of the challenges they face. These experiences strengthened her commitment to facilitating equitable access to education by removing barriers and increasing awareness. After 10+ years as a teacher, she transitioned into an advisory role with Castle Rock Research Corporation, working to strengthen the school infrastructure in Calgary through education resource development and advocacy.

Most recently, she has been involved in program management and fundraising with a range of charitable/not-for-profit organizations including the Owen Hart Foundation, The Educational Partnership Foundation (TEPF) and Notre Dame High School. In addition to her role at TEPF, she currently is the Alberta Director for Dyslexia Canada. Pina holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Calgary and completed the Foundations of Orton-Gillingham Multisensory- Structured Language course of the Teacher Training Program by Liisa Freure.