Gigi S. Cooper
Managing Director of Development
Education:
BA in Organizational Communications, Minor in Marketing, University of Central Florida
Master of Business Administration, University of Phoenix
Relevant Work Experience:
Gigi Santiago Cooper is an accomplished advancement and operations leader with more than 20 years of experience spanning fundraising, strategic marketing, business operations, and organizational leadership. Prior to joining Frameworks, Gigi served as Director of Annual Giving at the Academy of the Holy Names, where she led comprehensive fundraising strategies that increased unrestricted giving and strengthened donor participation through integrated campaigns, stewardship initiatives, and data-driven outreach efforts. She partnered closely with advancement leadership, alumni, parents, and volunteers to support institutional priorities and deepen community engagement.
Previously, Gigi served as Director of Development at Bayshore Christian School, where she launched and expanded key fundraising initiatives, including the school’s Annual Fund and alumni engagement programs. Her leadership helped cultivate a stronger culture of philanthropy while significantly increasing family participation and donor support.
In addition to her work in advancement and nonprofit leadership, Gigi spent more than a decade as Director and Chief Operations Officer of Santiago Therapy Center, where she led strategic growth initiatives in patient care, operational management, staff development, and business expansion efforts. Earlier in her career, she held multiple leadership roles with Verizon Telecommunications, overseeing regional marketing, operations, customer experience, and community engagement initiatives across the Southeast.
Known for her collaborative leadership style, strong relationship-building skills, and strategic mindset, Gigi brings extensive experience in team development, communications, donor relations, project management, and organizational growth. She is passionate about building meaningful connections, strengthening communities, and advancing mission-driven organizations through thoughtful leadership and innovation.
Why You Work at Frameworks:
Being part of Frameworks of Tampa Bay is deeply meaningful to me on both a professional and personal level. It gives me the opportunity to make a lasting impact on children and adolescents throughout the Tampa Bay community while also putting the principles of Frameworks into practice within my own home.
Seeing firsthand the tremendous influence teachers and supportive adults can have on students inspired me to become part of the change I want to see in our school systems. I am passionate about helping others understand that every child experiences emotions differently and deserves the tools and support to navigate those emotions in a healthy, confident way.
There is still a significant stigma surrounding mental health and emotional wellness, particularly when it comes to our youth. I want to help bring these conversations to the forefront and advocate for programs that equip students with the emotional intelligence, resilience, and communication skills they need to handle life’s challenges with confidence. My hope is that Frameworks’ programming becomes a model and standard embraced across schools, empowering every child to successfully navigate difficult emotions, conversations, and situations, both inside and outside the classroom.
