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Lino Peña-Martinez Bio

Lino is a national advocate currently working with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) living in Washington, DC focused on state, local, and federal policy issues including: community development, disaster mitigation, sustainable climate-conscious solutions, and affordable diverse housing options to help build safer and more resilient communities. Lino served as an advisor to the Biden-Harris administration, at the Department of Energy (DOE) focusing on industrial manufacturing policy, labor market economics, job creation and quality, worker’s rights, and energy supply chains in today's economy.  All the while he has continued to be a champion of vulnerable populations, children, and families to ensure they aren’t left out of our nation’s focus in re-shoring our industrial supply chains. 

Lino was in the foster care system in California from the age of 5 -18. He graduated from The University of California Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and The History of Art and Architecture. After graduating, Lino moved to Boston, MA to mobilize the masses on the frontier of solar energy, as a solar energy consultant taking 12.65 million barrels of oil off the market for the next 25 years. He then became a caseworker in a residential group home where he delivered systemic interventions and direct care/wraparound social services to vulnerable populations with The Home for Little Wanderers. 

Soon after in 2019, Lino took to the national stage to advocate on foster care, juvenile justice, and family-based issues with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute where he also interned with the House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means briefing the Department of Health and Human Services, the White House, and Congress on multisystem interventions and the child welfare system. This is where Chris, SUN Scholars Inc. Executive Director, and Lino crossed paths helping pave the way forwards for our ‘brothers and sisters in care’ in CT navigating the transition into adulthood and the complexities of higher education or future career prospects.

Lino began his federal advocacy career in the energy space with the House of Representatives, Committee on Energy and Commerce during the 116th and 117th Congresses. At this time he supported our nation through the passage of landmark legislation giving rise to globally historic levels of funding to transition our nation to a clean energy economy.

As a national advocate Lino is passionate about movement fusion and partnerships as he aims to create a community of results and compassion amongst partners. Lino says the foundation of his resilience and personhood is service to others by way of time, energy, patience, flexibility, and a whole lot of unconditional love.