**Carli Dimino**, Policy Director, The LIBRE Initiative

[![Media Name: carli-dimino.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/carli-dimino.jpg?itok=kBSGV_91)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/carli-dimino.jpg) 

Cato Intern Class Spring 2013

**How did you learn about the Cato Institute? What made you want to be an intern?**

I first *really* noticed the Cato Institute’s work after stumbling onto the Daily Podcasts as a Political Science major at Boston College, interested (initially) in supplementing the core curriculum. I continued tuning in, however, not only to augment the coursework but also to understand philosophies that my professors seemed to have been leaving out or glossing over. By graduation I was hooked. I wanted to work for the same organization that had so profoundly influenced my own views, which lead me to apply for the internship.

Full disclosure: I have yet to tell my father this version of how I learned about Cato – he is a big liberty fan and has admittedly been receiving Cato mail for years, and still takes full credit for encouraging me to read all of Cato’s marketing mail and carry around a pocket constitution. Which I still do.

**How did the internship affect the way you think about public policy and/or political philosophy?**

The assigned readings during the internship gave me a much deeper understanding of classical liberal and libertarian thought; over the past three years, I have been able to draw upon this foundation and apply it towards my current work.

**What kind of work are you doing now?**

I am currently the Policy Director for The LIBRE Initiative, a grassroots advocacy and educational organization that primarily focuses on educating the U.S. Hispanic community on the benefits of free markets and limited government. Each day, I get to work with a talented group of policy analysts and help guide the policy content for the organization.

**What advice can you offer to fellow alumni who want to secure a job like yours?**

First, equip yourself with broad-based knowledge of policy in general. Then, find the unique, niche policy area that interests you and become as well-versed as you possibly can. That was sort of my path, which allowed me to seek my current position of mostly managing the team that creates our content.

**What’s a change—a policy perspective, a philosophical point, a messaging strategy, anything—that you would like to see in the libertarian community?**

Hard to say! I think one of the most interesting aspects of the libertarian community is that there really is a diverse set of viewpoints, rigorous debate, and a variety of messaging strategies already -- especially when compared to other ideologies. Of course, if there is one change and I could snap my fingers, I'd like the libertarian community to grow substantially.

**What makes you feel most optimistic about the future of liberty?**

That the number of open roles in advocacy-type groups on our side is growing. It tells you there is a need and desire to hear our core message, and that gives me peace of mind.