Christina Pepin
Executive Director Pepin Family Foundation in Tampa, FL
Christina Pepin, professionally known as Tina Pepin, serves as the Executive Director of the Pepin Family Foundation and represents a third-generation legacy of philanthropy in Tampa Bay, Florida. Her leadership is centered on advancing public safety, healthcare, education, and mental health initiatives that provide lasting value to the community. Through strategic partnerships and responsible stewardship, she continues a tradition of service built on compassion and accountability.
Tina is committed to honoring the example set by her grandfather, who was allowed to attend college by a family he once served. That life-changing experience shaped his belief in giving to givers. She works to carry forward the shared mission embraced by both her father and grandfather, ensuring their dedication to community service continues for future generations.
Throughout the years, she and her family have supported a wide range of charitable organizations, including 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 focused commitment to strengthening first responder programs, youth initiatives, and healthcare services across the Tampa Bay area.
Tina Pepin has also contributed to the development of The Pepin Academies, founded in 1999 as a non-profit, tuition-free public charter school serving third through 12th-grade students, along with 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 across campuses in Tampa, Riverview, and New Port Richey. Qualified students receive therapy at no cost, including support from 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 environment that supports both academic progress and personal growth. The schools foster a sense of belonging and provide students with meaningful preparation for their futures. The Foundation also supports community engagement through Pepin’s Hospitality Centre, offering a welcoming space for culture and cuisine.
Tina plays an active role in advancing 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 designed to help eradicate heart disease. She continues to encourage initiatives that improve cardiac outcomes and expand access to advanced treatment options.
Public safety remains a core priority within the Foundation’s work. Mental health and resiliency programs are designed to assist law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other front-line professionals who regularly face traumatic events. These initiatives emphasize practical resources and sustainable partnerships that strengthen wellness among first responders.
Tina Pepin believes that communities are stronger when those who serve are supported. 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 enhance resiliency, officer wellness, and mental health services. It collaborates 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 promote collaboration among healthcare institutions, educational organizations, and public safety leaders in 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 steady dedication and thoughtful leadership, she remains focused on creating meaningful and lasting community impact.