Founding Team

Our experience provides a deep understanding of the complex challenges facing the philanthropic sector.

  • Christina Canales Gorczynski is a fundraiser, philanthropist, and social sector leader. Christina co-founded Align Point Ventures and consults clients on governance, fundraising, and communications.

    Most recently, Christina was the Executive Director of Impact Austin, a collective giving organization that cultivates and expands women’s knowledge, passion, and generosity. Previously, Christina was a Program Officer at the Simmons Foundation, specializing in public policy and gender equity. Before that, she led First Person LLC, a Texas-based consulting firm specializing in advocacy, communications, and capacity building for nonprofits, social enterprises, and private foundations.

    Christina currently serves on the board of directors of SWAN Impact Network, an angel network investing in social and environmental impact startups. In addition, Christina’s co-founded the SWAN Donor Advised Fund to drive philanthropic investment in for-profit social impact startups. Christina is a current investing member of Impact100 Houston and a Lion of Judah at Shalom Austin. In addition, Christina is an investing member in Portfolia’s America Rising II vc fund.

    Christina holds a BA in Women’s Studies from Beloit College in Wisconsin, a JD/MBA from the University of Houston, and a Nonprofit Finance Certificate from Rice University. Christina is also a State Bar of Texas member and designated Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy from the American College of Financial Services.

    Christina believes in the power of collective giving and previously contributed to the Hispanic Impact Fund and Women’s Fund at the Austin Community Foundation. In addition, Christina is a graduate of Leadership Houston, Leadership Austin’s Experience Austin, Leadership Texas Power Pipeline, Victory Fund Institute’s campaign training, and GLAAD media training.

    For her philanthropic work and advocacy, Christina was selected for an Equal Justice Works public interest law fellowship, voted Houston’s PRIDE Grand Marshal, named an “Inspiring Latina” by Latina Magazine, honored for youth and online engagement by the League of Women Voters of the US, and received the Young Alumni Award from her alma mater Beloit College.

    Christina is based in Austin. She spends time working in Texas and New Mexico and exploring Colorado. Christina’s free time is filled with fun, friendship, fitness, laughter, and playing outdoors with her beloved partner, Ms. Brett Merfish, and their kids, Mateo and Micah.

  • Jessica brings more than 20 years of experience in the philanthropic sector to her work at Align Point Ventures. She has raised tens of millions of dollars for organizations in education, mentoring, and social services.

    Jessica began her nonprofit career in New York City, and her experience ranges from building capacity for early-stage nonprofits to leading national campaigns. Additionally, Jessica is the co-founder and founding president of Impact100 Houston. Now in its fourth year, the organization has awarded over $900,000 in grant funding to the local community.

    Jessica holds a BS in Communication Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy certification from the American College of Financial Services, and a Certificate in Fundraising from New York University. She is an American Express Nonprofit Leadership Academy alumna, Houston Business Journal Women Who Mean Business Award recipient, and St. Agnes Academy Veritas Award recipient.

    Away from work, Jessica enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her two daughters. She is an active volunteer and passionate about investing in the community through nonprofit organizations and early-stage, historically underfunded entrepreneurs.