Christina Pepin

Christina Pepin, professionally known as Tina Pepin, serves as Executive Director of the Pepin Family Foundation and continues a third-generation commitment to philanthropy in Tampa Bay, Florida. Her work is focused on public safety, healthcare, education, and mental health, with an emphasis on sustainable partnerships and measurable community impact. Through strategic leadership, she supports initiatives that strengthen local institutions and promote long-term stability. Tina carries forward the values established by her grandfather, who was allowed to attend college by a family he once served. That experience shaped his lifelong dedication to giving to givers. She remains committed to preserving the mission of both her father and grandfather, ensuring their dedication to service continues across generations. Over the years, she and her family have supported numerous charitable organizations across the Tampa Bay area. These include the Chief of Police Foundation, Tampa Police Department, the Suncoast PBA, Hands Across the Bay, Arise Alliance, Vincent Jackson Foundation, Hook A Hero, Operation Restore, and many others. These collaborations reflect a consistent investment in first responders, youth development, healthcare services, and community partnerships. Tina Pepin has also played an important role in supporting The Pepin Academies, founded in 1999 as a non-profit, tuition-free public charter school serving third through 12th-grade students, as well as a transitional job training program for 18- to 22-year-old students. Nearly three decades later, the academies serve more than 1,200 students and over 850 graduates at campuses in Tampa, Riverview, and New Port Richey. Qualified students receive therapy at no cost, including access to social workers, mental health counselors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, sensory integration services, and speech language programs. She served on the board of Pepin Academies for nearly three years and values the individualized learning model that encourages both academic achievement and personal growth. The schools foster a supportive environment where students feel included and prepared for future opportunities. The Foundation also contributes to local engagement through Pepin’s Hospitality Centre, offering a welcoming space for culture and cuisine. Tina actively supports the mission of the Pepin Heart Institute as part of the Foundation’s longstanding healthcare commitment. Established in 1986 by Tom and Arthur Pepin, the Institute focuses on research and patient-centered cardiac care aimed at eradicating heart disease. She continues to promote initiatives that improve cardiac outcomes and broaden access to advanced treatment options. Public safety remains a central priority within the Foundation’s initiatives. Mental health and resiliency programs are designed to assist law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other front-line professionals who regularly encounter traumatic situations. These programs emphasize sustainable systems of care that reinforce wellness and long-term support for first responders. Tina Pepin believes that serving those who serve the community is essential. During a nursing crisis in Tampa, the Foundation partnered with the University of South Florida to support young nursing professionals. It partners with the Tampa Police Department to strengthen resiliency, officer wellness, and mental health programming. It works with Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association President Jonathan Vazquez and General Counsel and Executive Director Sasha Lohn, Esq., to launch a first-of-its-kind law enforcement mental health college certificate program for active and retired officers to earn college credits and an applied mental health certificate. In January 2026, she was recognized with an award for her support of Rise Tampa, the official Foundation for the Tampa Police Department. Christina Pepin continues to encourage collaboration among healthcare providers, educators, and public safety leaders throughout Tampa Bay. She has supported initiatives such as the USF Pepin Family Summer Nursing Pathway Program and the expansion of mental health resources for first responders. A 2021 graduate of Belmont University, Jack C. Massey College of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration BBA, she also participated in the Winterline Global Education program, pitching a business venture at MIT in Boston, and studying management and international business in the United States and Asia. Through consistent service and thoughtful leadership, she remains committed to lasting and meaningful community impact.