Christina Pepin’s Biography
Christina Pepin, professionally known as Tina Pepin, serves as Executive Director of the Pepin Family Foundation and represents a third-generation commitment to philanthropy in Tampa Bay, Florida. Her leadership focuses on public safety, healthcare, education, and mental health initiatives that create measurable community impact. Through strategic partnerships and responsible investment, she continues a family tradition centered on service and long-term support.
Tina upholds the values established by her grandfather, who was allowed to attend college by a family he once served. That experience inspired his lifelong dedication to giving to givers. She works to ensure that the mission embraced by both her father and grandfather remains active and relevant for future generations.
Over the years, she and her family have contributed to 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 partnerships highlight consistent support for first responders, healthcare providers, youth programs, and community-based services throughout the region.
Tina Pepin has also played a meaningful 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 across campuses in Tampa, Riverview, and New Port Richey. Eligible 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 its individualized learning model, which supports academic progress and personal growth. The environment fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion while preparing students for continued education and employment. The Foundation also contributes to community engagement through Pepin’s Hospitality Centre, which offers space for culture and cuisine in Tampa Bay.
Christina Pepin actively supports 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 advancing research and patient-centered cardiac care to help eradicate heart disease. She works to strengthen initiatives that improve cardiac outcomes and broaden access to advanced treatment options.
Public safety remains a central priority in the Foundation’s current efforts. 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 initiatives emphasize sustainable support systems that promote wellness and long-term stability within the first responder community.
Tina Pepin believes in serving those who serve others. 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 strengthen collaboration among healthcare leaders, educators, and public safety professionals across 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 responsible leadership, she remains committed to lasting and meaningful community impact.