Piñeros-Shields brings over 30 years of experience working with oppressed communities to advance human and civil rights through innovative practices that promote meaningful civic participation. Piñeros-Shields serves as chair of the board of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, and on the boards of the ACLU of Massachusetts and Philanthropy Massachusetts. Prior to joining the Heller faculty, she was the executive director of the Essex County Community Organization, an interfaith, interracial, and interclass network. Piñeros-Shields has also held teaching positions in the former Soviet Union and in China. Now, she works with the Racial Justice x Tech Policy Initiative (RJxTP) and teaches courses on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and on economic inequality and immigration policy.