Kristina Pepelko, MPA

Kristina Pepelko, MPA
(she/her)
Communications Manager
(231) 935-4066 ext. 109
kpepelko@gtrcf.org

Areas of Expertise 

Communications strategy, media relations, email marketing, storytelling, social media, website maintenance, project management

Biography

With 13 years of experience in writing, editing, and communications, Kristina has held professional roles across the nonprofit sector and online media space, including with Kids’ Orchestra, the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, and One Green Planet. She joined the Community Foundation in 2021 and holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Writing, both from Grand Valley State University.

Kristina currently volunteers with Elk Rapids Community Cupboard and Let These Animals Live cat sanctuary. She is also a board director for the ER Community Cupboard and is an active blood donor with Versiti Blood Center of Michigan. Born in Detroit to Croatian immigrants, she has lived in Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids, Croatia, and Louisiana. Now residing in Williamsburg, Kristina shares her life with her husband, David, an Army veteran; their two rescue cats, Luna (from Harbor Humane Society in Holland) and Mica (from Help From My Friends Pet Crisis Center in Bellaire); and Daisy, a happy-go-lucky pit bull adopted from Kalkaska County Animal Control.

Causes She's Passionate About

Animal rights, environmental protection and justice, equity and inclusion, housing access, human rights, veterans support, immigrant rights

Favorite Places in the Region

Elk Rapids, Suttons Bay, Yuba Creek Natural Area, Miller Creek Nature Preserve, Boardman Lake Loop Trail, Ethanology, Hexenbelle, Ames St. Cafe, Sabores y Colores