Cortina has been with MAHA since 1999. She previously worked at Fleet Bank underwriting small business loans. Cortina has over 11 years working for financial service organizations. She is an organizer for the grassroots Homebuyers Union and has staffed campaigns that have led to an increase in the city of Boston's linkage fee and establishment of an inclusionary development policy. She is a graduate of George Washington University - Mount Vernon Campus in Washington D.C. and a native of Roxbury.