UCLA AAP Alumni Spotlight - Lena Hines '99 , J.D. '02
Q&A WITH LENA HINES
Class: What year did you graduate, and what degree did you earn?
1999 (B.A.); 2002 (J.D.)
Major / Minor: What was your major (and minor, if applicable)?
English Literature Major
Current role, company, industry: Can you tell us about your current professional role, the company you're with, and the industry you're part of?
I’m a tax attorney; currently a Principal in the National Tax Department of a Big 4 Accounting Firm (Ernst & Young)
What does AAP mean to you? How has AAP supported you and/or its significance to your Bruin journey?
AAP has continued to help me find a community where I can thrive, support others, and work toward becoming the best version of myself—just as it did when I was a student at UCLA. Through AAP, I’ve found friends who sustained me through the 2020 pandemic and beyond, and I’ve been able to reflect on my career, appreciate past wins, and redefine my future goals.
How has AAP impacted your personal and professional development and success? Any specific ways you’ve seen AAP’s influence in your career or personal growth?
Staying connected with AAP has opened doors both personally and professionally. I’ve had opportunities to meet and mentor students through events hosted by groups like UCLA Black Alumni Association (UBAA) and the UCLA Latino Alumni Association (ULAA), and I’ve formed meaningful connections with other professional organizations. I’ve even been able to recruit students to my firm, which has been incredibly rewarding.
How have you stayed connected to AAP? Do you participate in events, mentorship, or any other initiatives that keep you engaged with the AAP community?
Since relocating back to Los Angeles in 2016, I’ve remained deeply engaged with AAP. Shortly after arriving, a fellow AAP alum invited me to a discussion where I met Dr. A, leading to my invitation to join the AAP Advisory Board in 2018. I’ve been connected with AAP and the broader Bruin community ever since—participating in events, mentoring students, and serving on the inaugural board of the AAP Alumni Network. Through these networks, I’ve built lasting relationships and stayed rooted in the Bruin community.
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