Meet Christine Piña, 2026 Full Circle Alumni Award Honoree

2026 Full Circle Alumni Award: Christine Piña, Port of Los Angeles, Phineas Banning HS Alum

Christine's journey from student to industry professional to an EXP champion is the full-circle story any organization could dream of.

It all started in a 9th-grade English classroom at Phineas Banning High School. Seniors from the International Trade Academy (ITA) stopped by to discuss their pathways and the programs EXP (then ITEP) offered through the academy. Christine Piña knew then she needed to take advantage of all available opportunities, and she did, including a field trip to Washington, D.C., and a summer internship at the Port of Los Angeles.

The experiences and relationships she cultivated at the Port led her to a student worker position as a Port Police cadet and, later, to an office trainee role while she attended college. After that, she quickly moved up through the ranks to where she is today.

As the Management Analyst and Education Programs Coordinator at the Port, Christine has been instrumental in the EXP Internship Program, encouraging all departments to take on at least one EXP intern each summer. She helps create meaningful opportunities for students to explore real careers and unlock tomorrow for them, just as those opportunities were made available to her in high school.

It’s not just her job–it’s her passion.

Christine is also an active member of the ITA Advisory Board, shaping the program and strengthening relationships between schools and industry, giving back directly to her high school alma mater.

Christine consistently demonstrates generosity, energy, and a readiness to go the extra mile. More importantly, she remains a powerful reminder to our students that anything is possible.

Congratulations, Christine, on this well-deserved Full Circle Alumni Award! EXP deeply values your commitment and partnership.

The Alumni Award was established in 2017 to highlight an inspiring EXP alum who has come full circle to support EXP and set an example for the next generation of students.

Join us in honoring Christine at Oceans of Opportunity on April 30

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the 26th annual Oceans of Opportunity Awards & Scholarship Celebration on Thursday, April 30, at the Hotel Maya in Long Beach.

EXP proudly celebrates 26 years of empowering young people to achieve academic, career, and life success. We look forward to welcoming more than 300 civic leaders, industry partners, philanthropists, and educators for an evening, all united by a shared belief in the limitless potential of young people.