Zonia M. Pino joined the staff of The Heartland Institute in May 2008 as Heartland's legislative specialist on energy and the environment. Zonia's responsibilities include interacting with elected officials and staff on these issues; tracking new legislation; and drafting responses to emerging issues via talking points, news releases, and op-ed pieces, with the goal of educating legislators and informing them about free-market ideas.

Prior to joining Heartland, Zonia taught high school history and government at The Master's Academy in Oviedo, Florida. She also served as a media liaison for the National Rifle Association in Fairfax, Virginia and as a staff assistant for U.S. Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart in Washington, DC.

Zonia graduated with a B.A. in political science from Florida International University and a J.D. from St. Thomas University School of Law.