Golden Angels Investors announced Tuesday that founder and director Tim Keane will transition to the role of executive chair of the board on May 31.
As part of this “long-planned transition, associate director Mary Hannes will take over the day-to-day leadership operations of Golden Angels, according to Tuesday’s announcement.
Keane is credited with building one of Wisconsin’s oldest and largest angel networks and mentoring many startup founders. He is one of BizTimes Media’s Wisconsin 275, which recognizes the state’s most influential business leaders.
Keane has received numerous industry awards and was inducted into the Wisconsin Tech Council’s Investor Hall of Fame. He has led entrepreneurship programs and taught MBA classes at Marquette University.
The transition will allow Keane to focus on strategy, mentorship, and governance while working with cultivating the next generation of Golden Angels leadership.
“Golden Angels has always been about more than capital, it’s about people, relationships, and building enduring companies,” said Keane. “Stepping into the executive chair role allows me to stay closely involved in shaping our future while supporting Mary and the board as they lead the organization into its next chapter. I’m incredibly proud of what this community has built and even more excited about what comes next.”
Under his guidance, the Golden Angels network grew into an investment community with a $34 million portfolio. Keane’s insights contributed to several successes including Vital Sensors’ acquisition by Endotronix, the growth of TechStars, and exits at Dynamis, EMSystems, and UClass.
Mary Hannes. Image courtesy of Golden Angel Investors.
Hannes was appointed associate director in 2020 and has served as a Golden Angels member since 2014. She has expertise in corporate strategy, health care, and business transformation from her time working in leadership roles at Assurant Health and McKinsey & Company.
“This transition reflects the strength and maturity of Golden Angels as an organization,” said Bill Goodman, Golden Angels Investors board member. “Tim’s continued involvement as executive chair ensures continuity of vision and values, while Mary’s leadership positions us to grow, evolve, and deliver even greater value to founders and investors. We are energized by what this next phase represents.”
