Although San Francisco, California was Zina's birthplace, she grew up and attended grade school and high school in the Provo, Utah area. Zina returned to California when she was in her early twenties and has lived in Santa Rosa with her husband and children for the last 36 years.

In 1987, Zina started a rewarding career in law enforcement, starting as a police technician for the Sebastopol Police Department, and over the next 29 years, she worked in varying positions within the law enforcement realm, which included Police Technician, Communication Officers (also known as a 9-1-1 police and fire dispatcher), Reserve Police Officer, and Correctional Officer.

Zina enrolled in the Paralegal Program at the Santa Rosa Junior College and graduated with honors, receiving her Associates of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies.

Zina enjoys her free time gardening, kayaking, taking long walks, and traveling with her husband in their RV.