Leadership
Team Members
Bob Bridge
Exec, Dir., Board of Directors & Fund General Partner
Bob founded the SWAN Impact Network in late 2015, and leads the organization. Bob has a passion for making the world a better place by encouraging the application of human and financial capital to address significant societal and environmental challenges. He has extensive experience in founding and taking early-stage technology start-up companies to successful exits, […]
Heather Gilker
SWAN North Texas Chapter Lead, Board of Directors, DAF Manager
Heather Gilker is the founder and principal of Tokalon Advisors LLC. She is also the North Texas Chapter Lead of the SWAN Impact Network, an angel network focused solely on making early-stage impact investments. She brings over 25 years of experience in investing, community involvement, and strategy with a focus on sustainability. She focuses on […]
Juan Thurman
Director of Strategy , Board of Directors, Fund General Partner
In addition to his work with the angel network, Juan is a mentor, startup investor, and sales consultant, focused on working with early-stage companies get to the next level.
Valerie Tompson
SWAN Houston Chapter Lead, Board of Directors
Valerie Tompson serves SWAN Impact Network as the Houston Chapter Lead, and as a member of the SWAN Board of Directors. Valerie has worked as a physician assistant and currently serves in the leadership of City Church in Houston. With a blend of medical experience, public accounting, a recent MBA from Duke University, and non-profit […]
Meagan Packard
Director, Impact Reporting
Megan is motivated to find novel solutions to critical conservation & sustainability issues. Her aim is to get cutting edge research into the marketplace quickly to start solving our global climate and biodiversity problems today. She is currently a Partner and serves as the Partnerships Director at GAV Conservation Management. GAV is a group of […]
Sam Kessel
Director, Associate Member Engagement
Dr. Sam Kessel graduated with the dual degrees of Doctor of Medicine and an MBA from the University of Virginia. He is highly interested in healthcare start-ups. Sam has performed due diligence on biotechnology, healthcare services and medical device startups for both the Charlottesville Angel Network and the CAV Angels, the University of Virginia alumni […]
Gwen Echols
Board of Diectors
Gwen Echols is an experienced professional with a record of driving progress in the business and nonprofit community. Presently a nonprofit advisor and board member, and has supported Dallas agencies in leadership roles for over 20 years. Concurrently has provided mentorship and coaching to social impact leaders and entrepreneurs since 2018. Actively involved with SWAN […]
Christina Gorczynski
Board of Directors
Christina Canales Gorczynski is the Executive Director of Impact Austin, a dynamic women’s collective giving organization that cultivates collective wisdom and strength to transform ourselves and our communities. Christina is also a licensed attorney and certified mediator with the State Bar of Texas. Previously, Christina served as a Program Officer at the Simmons Foundation, specializing […]