Our board of directors is dedicated to promoting the Spid Werkz Foundation LTD’s mission, vision, and purpose.
Peter Swiek
President, Treasurer
Peter Swiek has 30+ years of experience in competitive sports including major team, endurance, and high performance. He is a competitive outrigger canoe paddler and has strong connections to the Olympic sprint canoe and kayak community in the United States. Peter is also a certified American Canoe Association stand up paddleboarding instructor and enjoys sharing athletics knowledge and passion with others.
Peter has a long professional background in empathy research, complex program management, and creative solution development. Partnered with his experience on the board of Washington Canoe Club (one of the nation’s oldest canoeing clubs), he brings a strategic vision to the Spid Werkz Foundation to help athletes be their best.
Judith Vogel
Secretary
Judith Vogel brings 15+ years of coaching experience including 6 years of coaching at World Championships, World Cups, and U23 World Championships. Her coaching philosophy centers around developing the whole person, building ownership and independence in athletes, and fostering enjoyment of the process.
She brings tremendous knowledge of the challenges high performance athletes face and how to navigate them to success. Judith currently is the Secretary of the Spid Werkz Foundation and helps to ensure the organization runs smoothly and delivers maximum value to its athletes.
John Olbrys
Athlete Representative
John is a US Rowing national team member for Beach Sprints, winning the 2021 bronze in the coxed quadruple sculls at the 2021 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals as well as winning the open mixed double sculls at the 2022 Beach Sprints National Team Trials. He also has collected numerous race wins in flatwater racing across his 20+ year rowing career.
A former US Coast Guard officer and multi-year board member of Potomac Boat Club (one of the oldest rowing clubs in the United States), John brings an immense knowledge of both organization operations and high performance to the Spid Werkz Foundation.
As the Athlete Representative to the board, John helps inform board decisions with the interests, needs, and experiences of current athletes. *Note: The Athlete Representative is subject to additional safeguards regarding their athlete budget and fund allocation in order to maintain fairness and control.
Advisory Board
Todd Vogt
Paralympic and High Performance Athlete Advisor
Todd Vogt is an accomplished Paralympic rower and a passionate advocate for adaptive and high performance athletics. A 2024 Paralympian, Todd represented Team USA in Paris, where he capped off an incredible season with a victory in the B Final. Throughout his career, Todd has earned respect not just for his athletic achievements, but for his leadership, mentorship, and the unwavering positivity he brings to every team environment. With decades of experience in competitive rowing and para sport, he understands the unique challenges and opportunities faced by athletes at all levels.
Todd has been involved with the sport of rowing for over 30 years as an athlete and coach. He began rowing as a freshman at University of Buffalo, in Buffalo, NY, eventually becoming Team Captain his senior year. When he wasn’t rowing, Todd received a bachelor’s and master’s Degree in Biochemistry. Todd is currently coaching master’s rowers at Station L Rowing Club in Portland, Oregon.
Todd finished in 7 th place in the PR3 Mixed Double Scull event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Todd won a silver medal in the PR3 Mixed Double Scull event at the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia (with Spid Werkz athlete Gemma Wollenschlager). He finished in 5 th place in the PR3 Mixed Double Scull event at the 2022 World Rowing Championships, in Prague, Czech Republic. He was the Alternate for 2021 Tokyo Paralympic Games and he finished in 6th place in the PR3 Men’s 2- at the 2019 World Rowing Championships in Linz, Austria.
As an Advisor to the Spid Werkz Board, Todd brings deep expertise in Paralympic sport development, athlete support, and high performance strategy. He is passionate about expanding access, fostering resilience, and building inclusive communities where athletes of all abilities can thrive. Todd’s experience, authenticity, and vision are helping shape the next generation of Spid Werkz initiatives, ensuring that Paralympic and high performance athletes have the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
Todd is a previous Spid Werkz Z6 athlete.
Peter Schmidt
Olympic and High Performance Athlete Advisor
Peter Schmidt is a distinguished high performance rower with deep experience competing at the national and international levels. Known for his technical precision, relentless work ethic, and commitment to excellence, Peter has spent years immersed in the world of elite rowing, developing a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed both on and off the water. Peter was part of the US Rowing senior national team and has a world medal. Beyond his personal achievements, Peter is deeply committed to athlete development and creating environments where athletes can maximize their potential. Peter was a coach for the Angolan rowing team at the 2024 Paris Olympic games.
As an Advisor to the Spid Werkz Board, Peter contributes valuable insight into high performance training, team dynamics, and the evolving needs of competitive athletes. His passion for mentorship, athlete-centered growth, and fostering resilience aligns perfectly with the Spid Werkz mission. Peter’s leadership helps guide initiatives that support athletes across disciplines, ensuring they have the tools, networks, and mindset to thrive on their journey to the highest levels of sport.