Influential Woman · Nonprofit domestic violence advocacy
Gina Pearce
Founder and Board Member, Kristin's Fund
New Hartford, NY 13413
Her Story
About Gina
Gina Pearce is a founding Board Member of Kristin’s Fund, a nonprofit organization she established with family members to honor the legacy of her sister, Kristin, who tragically lost her life to domestic violence homicide in 2009. Founded in 2017, Kristin’s Fund is dedicated to creating safer communities through domestic violence education. Following her sister’s death, Gina transitioned from a career in marketing and communications to focus more deeply on advocacy and helping educate others about domestic violence. In addition to her advocacy work, Gina has experience in public relations, strategic communications, storytelling, marketing, event planning, fundraising, grant writing, donor relations, and community engagement. Through Kristin’s Fund, she has led messaging, public presentations, marketing initiatives, events, and partnerships designed to raise awareness and support programs focused on domestic violence prevention. Gina became a Certified Integrated Holistic Life Coach in 2019 and is preparing to expand her advocacy through a professional speaking career. She attributes her success to being a lifelong learner, embracing opportunities to gain knowledge, and remaining committed to personal and professional growth. Honesty, integrity, service, and purpose-driven work are central to her values. Gina is passionate about using her personal experiences and professional expertise to educate others, inspire meaningful change, and positively impact individuals, families, and communities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Gina
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my curiosity, resilience, and commitment to lifelong learning. I genuinely enjoy the challenge of exploring new subjects and developing a deeper understanding of the world around me. Following the tragedy of my sister, I made it my mission to learn everything I could about domestic violence, transforming a deeply personal experience into a commitment to education and advocacy. That experience reinforced my belief in the power of knowledge and continues to inspire me to remain open-minded, continually learn, and grow both personally and professionally.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have embraced is that meaningful change begins with education and service. I believe every conversation is an opportunity to share knowledge, raise awareness, and potentially make a difference in someone’s life. Throughout my career, I have learned that educating others can be a powerful tool for creating positive change and, in some cases, may even save a life.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the advocacy field in any capacity is to remember that you are not alone. Build a strong support network and seek out mentors. When the work feels overwhelming, remember to never underestimate the impact you have on one individual at a time. The advice I give to any young woman beginning her career is to be open to learning and growth opportunities, embrace change and follow your heart and passion.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is the sheer magnitude of the need for domestic violence services and education, which can sometimes feel overwhelming. I have learned to stay focused on the individual stories and the people whose lives I can directly impact. At the same time, there is a tremendous opportunity to prevent domestic violence homicides through education and awareness. Domestic violence homicide is often predictable and preventable when people understand warning signs such as coercive control and strangulation. By educating individuals, families, and communities about these risks, we can recognize danger earlier and help save lives.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and integrity are the foundation of both my professional and personal life. I believe strongly in giving back to my community and using my life experiences to serve a greater purpose. Purpose-driven work is especially meaningful to me because it allows me to turn what I have learned through my own experiences into opportunities to positively impact and help others.
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