What is Groundswell Capital?
Arizona has everything it takes to lead — on clean energy, small business growth, and community prosperity. The biggest gap is often capital access.
Groundswell Capital exists to close that gap.
We deploy capital into clean energy, small businesses, and community projects that build lasting economic opportunity across Arizona.
Our focus is simple: invest in what works and build for the long term.
Our vision is an Arizona where capital flows to the projects and communities that need it most — supporting long-term growth, resilience, and shared prosperity.
Groundswell Capital is building that Arizona, putting capital to work in communities across Arizona by financing clean energy, supporting small businesses, and investing in long-term growth.
Meet the Team
EarthWise Clean Energy Lead
Ash Harvey
Ash is a relationship-driven sales and community engagement professional passionate about helping families and businesses access practical sustainability solutions. As Sales Lead for the EarthWise program, Ash works directly with homeowners, contractors, and community partners to connect people with resources that make homes healthier, safer, and more energy efficient.
HR Director
Mandi Shepherd
Mandi Shepherd is a human resources professional with extensive experience in organizational leadership, team development, employee relations, and operational strategy. As Fractional HR Director for Groundswell Capital and Tucson IDA, she helps strengthen organizational culture, support staff growth, and build people-centered systems that allow mission-driven teams to thrive.
Financial Educator
Anahi Figueroa Gastelum
Anahi brings both practical business expertise through eight years of running a successful businesses as well as formal insights through her MBA from CETYS Universidad. She is certified in Financial Education through the National Association of Latino Community Asset Builders.
Events & Community Experience
Nieves Montaño
Nieves Montoño is a bilingual creative entrepreneur passionate about building welcoming, impactful community experiences. With a background in education, coaching, curriculum design, workshop facilitation, and partnership building, she brings energy, accessibility, and connection to every event and program she leads.
Board of Directors
Dre Thompson, President
Tucson IDA
Dre is an award-winning nonprofit leader and CEO for the Tucson Development Authority. Her background includes social-impact driven work for energy efficiency, education, social services, and economic development.
Rob Tull, Treasurer
Effective Compliance LLC
Rob is a strategic consultant who helps investment and mission-driven organizations create and retain value through innovative insight in solving operational and compliance complexities with practical systems that work. Rob is a former Chief Compliance and Risk Officer for global investment organizations, former director and chair of a non-profit organization, and former auditor. He has degrees in finance and business law, and has various certifications and licenses, including CPA, CFE, FRM, CAMS, and CCEP.
Anne Dougherty
ILLUME Advising
Anne Dougherty is the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of ILLUME, a prominent clean energy research consultancy. She brings human-focused research techniques to solutions development. Her expertise in the energy industry focuses on the human dimensions of technology, program, and service development.
Melissa Cordero
Common Defense
Community organizer, veteran, and communications strategist rooted in environmental and social justice. They bring 10+ years of experience in outreach, conservation, and campaign leadership across the Southwest, with a deep focus on water, climate resilience, and clean energy. As Lead Arizona Organizer for Veterans Power America, they support veteran leaders to advocate for climate solutions, equity, and community power.
Miguel Cruz
Community Builder
Miguel previously held roles as Tucson Federal Credit Union, leading branding, marketing, and community engagement. He's known for merging culturally competent business and community strategies and is a sought-after speaker. Miguel is involved in community service through various boards in Tucson and Phoenix, including the Women's Foundation of the State of Arizona and Old Pueblo Community Services.
Danielle Fidel
Earthlight Technologies
Renewables Executive and Advisor with a passion for building partnerships and platforms to scale the deployment of renewable energy. She is currently the Chief Commercial Officer of Earthlight Technologies.
Dave DiCosola, Vice President
UA Venture Capital
Dave's executive expertise spans three venture-backed technology startups that raised more than $700 million collectively and have scaled from $0 to more than $100M in annual revenues. He excels at strategic planning, fundraising, and capital allocation. He is dedicated to community service as mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs and builders.
Essentage
Anthony is an owner and managing partner at Essentage, providing cutting edge bookkeeping, accounting and business advisory solution for Tucson's small businesses.
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He is passionate about making financial education accessible to empower economic growth in our community.
Amber Cordoba
Relational Life Foundation
A mission-driven leader with a 20-year track record of turning vision into action—scaling programs, influencing policy, and building high-performing, values-aligned teams. With experience across entrepreneurship, nonprofit leadership, and financial services.
Mitchell Moore
Friendly House
An executive and leader, Mitchell brings a wealth of experience in strategic and operational oversight, encompassing business development, financial, HR, and IT management. His strength lies in providing strategic direction while effectively managing day-to-day operations. He has a solid track record in global financial management—leading complex financial operations and driving transformative initiatives.
Rocque Perez
Nonprofit Director
Rocque is a Tucson native and an advocate for education in all forms as the means to inspire informed and engaged communities. With a background in marketing and communications, he has dedicated his career thus far to improving the educational environment as a place for anyone to learn, work, and support their community.
Isabel Sepulveda
Tucson Electric Power
Project management professional with 15 years of experience in clean energy technology and project development. Experience in the U.S. utility industry as well as a passion for international collaboration on energy issues. Specialized in demand response and VPPs, client management, utility/customer relationships, and partnership building. She currently serves as the Senior Integrated System Planner for TEP.