Women’s History Month started as Women’s History Week
Women’s History Month began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California. The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women planned and executed a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978. The organizers selected the week of March 8 to correspond with International Women’s Day. The movement spread across the country as other communities initiated their own Women’s History Week celebrations the following year. (Source: https://www.womenshistory.org/womens-history/womens-history-month)
A day for women kicks off a month-long celebration. March 8 is International Women's Day, a global day of recognition celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and girls, and raising awareness of the work left to be done especially in the booming Blockchain, Technology & DeFi space.
Jillian Godsil, Editor in Chief and Founder, BlockLeaders
Blockleaders.io is an interview and news platform talking to the leaders in Blockchain and Crypto
Your life, challenges, and motivation
Working in FinTech for 30 years I want to advance the role of women in this sphere.
What is your goal in life?
To make the world a better place for everyone.
Why Blockchain Technology?
It has the power to disrupt and transform society - A personal story - Jillian Godsil nomination
For the first time in my working career, both my age and gender are an advantage; I’m a woman and I’m in my fifties.” Jillian Godsil is co-founder of Blockleaders.io and Editor Chief. In 2020 she was named Uptrennd.com’s Blockchain Journalist of the Year, shortlisted for the Women in Tech TrailBlazer award, listed on the Wirex/Fintech Strong Women of Crypto, and featured in the UK Crypto Curry Club 101 women of Blockchain. In 2019 she was named one of the top 100 people globally in blockchain by Lattice and was nominated for a national Irish radio award for her EastCoastFM show. She has been featured in Al Jazeera, Russia Today, BBC2 Newsnight, UK Telegraph, RTE, TV3, Huffington Post, New York Times, The Irish Times, Vogue Italia, and the Irish Independent amongst others. She is a freelance journalist for the Irish Times, the Irish Independent, and many more broadsheets and business publications. She is Editor in Chief of Liberland Press and has been awarded the Order of Merit by the President of Liberland.
She is an advisor for a number of companies working in the Blockchain industry. Prior to COVID19, she traveled the world speaking and chairing Blockchain conferences in Kyiv, Austin, Muscat, Columbo. Dublin, Dubai, Vienna, London, Malta, Capetown, and many other cities. She advocates for women in blockchain. https://app.voice.com/post/@jilliangodsil/cryptowriter-why-women-need-blockchain-1596214141-1
She is a genesis writer on the recently launched VOICE platform. She has published a book on Persons of Interest – vol 1 is out now https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NS1LXG8.
However, four years ago she was evicted from her rented accommodation with her two adult children. She had no job and no income. She found a tiny cottage for her two girls to rent and went CouchSurfing with a friend.
What on earth? Let me tell you a story…
In 2008 Jillian had hit divorce and recession. She could not cope with both.
Previously she had traveled the world (London, Sydney, and Singapore) for work before relocating to the Irish countryside with her family. She ran a successful PR business. There had a large mortgage on her country house (half the value of the house). With the divorce, her ex-husband went back to the UK and went bankrupt, thereby giving the entire mortgage debt to Jillian and her two girls.
In 2008 there was a hard crash happening in property prices. She tried to sell the house and made a video that went viral. She got a cash offer of €500,000 but the bank refused to consent to sell as the mortgage was more. They preferred to repossess the home and sell it for €165,000 the following year. (It is now back on the market three years later at €550,000)
In the interim, she became politicized. She lost her business and it collapsed, bailiffs called to the door and she lost everything. But she also became aware of the false narrative that began to take shape - “that people were gaming the system and messing with moral hazard”. There were also a rising number of financially inspired suicides. She got angry. She got very angry.
So she started ranting and raving at every opportunity - and she had a lot. This was around 2012 and most people were still ‘shamed’ at failing financially. She went loud and proud and said that while it hurt a lot to lose everything that she had done nothing wrong and was not ashamed. In the end, she was the first female bankrupt under the new insolvency laws in 2014. She was not allowed to run for public office under archaic Victorian law. She then took the Irish government to the High Court and all the way to the Supreme Court claiming that her constitutional rights were being infringed. She won.
Then she had to run - after all she had won the right.
So, Jillian ran in the European Parliamentary elections in 2014 and while she did not win a seat she earned 11,500 votes. This is where blockchain came in. She been through the ringer and was hung out to dry. She thought that life could offer her no more. She was at a standstill - or worse a personal recession.
THEN SHE MET BLOCKCHAIN in September 2017 and she said to herself – “Mama I’ve come home. Now is my time to shine.”
For more information, visit https://jilliangodsil.com/
Describe women empowerment in a simple way
Taking 51% of the global population and transitioning them into 50% of the decision-making population.
Where do you see Blockchain & Tech after 10 years? *
Making a difference.
Message to aspiring women that wishes to enter the Blockchain and Tech space
Hang in there!
Pandwe Gibson, CEO, EcoTech EcoTech Visions
Ecotech is a B2B e-commerce platform where buyers and sellers can connect to:
“Buy ethically sourced raw materials and products
Sell ethically sourced products
Partner with a network of manufacturing, packaging, and shipping partners”
Your life, challenges, and motivation
Every time I look up at the surrounding lights I think of my Grandmother, Mamie Gibson, and her sister, my great aunt Evelyn Gaston. They worked on the Manhattan Project that led to the discovery and harnessing of atomic energy. My roots derive from female scientists who believe and prove innovators solve the world’s problems. As Black women scientists in the 1930’s and 40’s I can only imagine the horrific daily pressures my grandmother and great aunt faced. Though I have accomplished a few things in my life-- graduating from MIT, Harvard, and CGU Peter Drucker School of Management with an MBA, MA, and Ph.D.; founding a Charter Management Organization that scaled to 16 schools under my leadership in post-Katrina New Orleans, and scaling several other businesses -- I still have a huge legacy that I intend to step into. My LinkedIn is https://www.linkedin.com/in/pandwe-gibson-03197049/
What is your goal in life?
EcoTech Vision (ETV) is my vehicle to honor and continue the propulsion of my ancestor’s commitment to better humanity through disruption. As we have not raised funds yet this is a tremendous opportunity that I would love to be a part of. EcoTech Visions is an end-to-end platform for green logistics enabling smarter distribution for energy-efficient manufacturing and collective consumption of consumer-friendly eco-products. Find out more at ecotechvisions.com/Investor.
Why Blockchain Technology?
We have built a solution for a green economy marketplace that curates products for consumers and businesses in which we allow them to purchase and experience an on-demand platform. We source the data directly from consumers and businesses who use the platform and provide insights on rich sources of data governed by our ECOTECH Protocol that provides AI-driven insights through blockchain and real-time pattern recognition. We are maintaining the data through immutable records on the Ethereum blockchain to share transparency and provenance in our supply chain from vendor to POS to deliverable good/service pipeline.
Describe women empowerment in a simple way
Equal opportunity to access success is necessary for the survival of humanity. Of our current 26 start-up businesses, 57% are women-founded. Our lead engineer is a woman. I am the ETV founder and I am a woman. In our growth plans, the lead for Dallas and Chicago are both women. Best practice demands we promote who is best for the job and as a woman me I have had the privilege of meeting and working with some amazing women. Women and girls need access to technical training and access to engineers and role models. ETV provided both those solutions. Whether it is through our programs which cohort have focused specifically on recruiting women and girls to founders serving and role models ETV believes and #BlackGirlMagic and #womenrock.
Where do you see Blockchain & Tech after 10 years?
Blockchain and Tech have and will continue to be a major part of our lives. it is the largest opportunity for growth and innovation and as a result the best chance for family wealth creation. The potential for Blockchain is great than the internet.
Message to aspiring women that wishes to enter the Blockchain and Tech space
You must be part of the curve. Blockchain is the future now.
Bridget Greenwood, Founder, The Bigger Pie
The Bigger Pie supports women in blockchain and emerging tech and has a global community of leaders and learners which includes experts across the field of blockchain and cryptocurrency, from project managers and developers to consultants, founders, compliance and regulatory experts, CFOs, CTOs, CMOs, educators and keynote speakers
As women represent less than 10% of those involved in this sector we focus our efforts on supporting the incredibly talented and pioneering #womeninblockchain. Research shows that businesses which embrace diversity and inclusion in gender, ethnicity, and culture are profitable and successful.
You can't be what you can't see, so it's important that we have more visible female role models, that we can easily connect women within the sector, and that we get more female founders funded. These are the initiatives that The Bigger Pie works on collaboratively with others who share a similar vision.
Your life, challenges, and motivation
I'm absolutely drawn to take action to see more gender equity in the tech space. We need more women at the design, development, and deployment table. Women at decision-making levels. I choose to spend each day working towards action-orientated activities that help us see the needle move in a positive direction to achieve this.
We will see better products, better solutions being put into the world that solves real issues like addressing climate change, improved health care, and bringing financial inclusion to billions of individuals by doing so. We all benefit.
What is your goal in life?
To see my son continue to grow and step into a healthy world with kindness, compassion, independence, and opportunity, and to see that for others.
Why Blockchain Technology?
Blockchain technology has the ability, with other emerging tech like AI, IoT, 5G, etc, to enable us to build solutions that allow access to vital services in the financial, health, and education sector that previously have been under-served or excluded from. It has the ability to allow people to more easily transact with each other, to take ownership of their data, be rewarded for their data, and create a more inclusive society. If we choose to build such solutions.
Describe women empowerment in a simple way
To have the economic, social, and educational freedom and safety to make decisions and create opportunities for yourself and your family without being restricted, held back, or persecuted because of your gender.
Where do you see Blockchain & Tech after 10 years?
Unless we make important changes, the landscape could be very dystopian, where individual’s privacy and freedoms are greatly restricted and we see a huge divide between those who have and those who have not. We need all people to create a world fit for all people. It's vital that we see more diversity and inclusion in the tech sector which touches every part of our lives and is shaping our future if we want to see the societal, global, sustainable, healthy, and economic developments this technology can bring.
We need to see more collaboration to solve global, pressing problems and thus safety and prosperity for all. This is where I'd like to have seen blockchain and tech making strides after 10 years.
Message to aspiring women that wishes to enter the Blockchain and Tech space
There are so many ways in which you can enter the blockchain and tech space. Coding and development are just one part. But you don't have to be technical to work in tech. Have a look at the problems that blockchain and tech are solving and then develop your interests from there. Reach out to The Bigger Pie and we can point you to resources, networks, education, up-skilling, career, and funding opportunities to support you.
Gail Cruz-Macapagal, Country Director, DynaQuest Technology Services Inc
DynaQuest helps businesses transition to blockchain-enabled business and information systems through our solutions that extend to business use case planning, service integration, customized development, and resource procurement. As an award-winning provider, we help businesses harness the game-changing capabilities of blockchain.
Your life, challenges, and motivation
At the root of every person’s success is their story of how they got there. The book explores the early
life and the beginnings of the women who contributed to the book. We all started differently but what we have in common is our enduring journey on how we overcame our challenges and how we navigated the world through different eyes and hands. We never know where life will take us. There are times when we can just let the wind freely guide our sails and there are times when we must muster up every bit of courage to navigate the stormy seas. On recounting our early lives and our formative years, we hope that the reader begins to understand how different forces in life shape our differences. Yet despite our differences, there are always things where we have in common, and that is where we begin to look at one another in a different light. The person we see today is a product of trials, learning, and risk-taking.
Every successful woman who is in the prime of their life had their fair share of challenges – from frustration to failures and heartaches. In having the courage then to move forward, it takes more courage to finally share our biggest trials and our lowest points. In knowing the heartache and trials, do we also begin to understand the person better? This is where understanding takes root and we learn that despite our differences in how we managed those challenges, we are not so much different from one another. This pre-kinship is what allows us (women in particular) to uplift and cheer one another to succeed.
Gail Concepcion Cruz-Macapagal is the Country Director of DynaQuest. She started out as a Customer Service Associate doing outbound sales 17 years ago when she joined the BPO Industry. She then moved up the ranks in Operations, then to Client Services, and is now a Certified Blockchain Expert. Gail is the country representative of Humanility Philippines and a board member of Humanility; a non-profit organization dedicated to the emancipation and holistic rehabilitation upbringing of rescued street children. Gail is also a supporter of IBPAP’s My Dream in a Shoebox for many years and Gail also serves as among the Board of Trustees for HIMAP and is the corporate secretary. Gail has also earned a certificate of appreciation from the city of Bacolod for her contributions.
What is your goal in life?
My goal is to help our street children thru Humanility a non-profit organization that has a shelter for street children in Makati and Bogo, Cebu. www.humanility.org I would also love to see the Indigenous People of the Philippines have their Identity and Economic Freedom thru Digital Identity and Economy in Blockchain. My goal is to empower women not just in Technology but also the youth, who after all is the hope of the future. If they feel empowered, they will and they can create or make a difference to the world.
Why Blockchain Technology?
I got into Blockchain by accident, and I think that it was fate that brought me to where I am today in terms of my involvement in the Blockchain World.
I am into Blockchain by some funny twist of fate and I believe that it is something that I am destined to do, love, and enjoy. Blockchain holds a lot of possibilities and opportunities for anyone and everyone that wants to be part of this world. Blockchain Technology is something that can be applied to almost anything and anything in our world, hence the dynamics and the amazing doors that it can open and the improvement in our lives that it can bring forth.
Blockchain will make life easier, may it be a simple transaction or a complex one.
Describe women empowerment in a simple way
Women Empowerment is when a woman feels, thinks, and believes that she can do anything that she has set her heart and soul into. May it be mundane or extraordinary things.
This can be summed up into this quote:
“She believed she can, and she did!”
Where do you see Blockchain & Tech after 10 years?
I see Blockchain Technology into massive adoption of companies, individuals, and countries all over the world.
I see that people will apply Blockchain in their daily lives to make things easier and accessible to individuals, companies, and countries.
I see that Countries and government entities will involve Blockchain in elections, and into their government systems. ex. taxes, social security, national ID, etc.
Message to aspiring women that wishes to enter the Blockchain and Tech space
Everyone is welcome to join us, do not be afraid of the limitations you have set forth for yourself.
Look for a mentor that will guide you and help you thru this journey.
Do not be daunted by the seemingly complex Blockchain Technology because if you immerse yourself into it, the beauty and wonder of it all will slowly uncover and present a whole lot of amazing and wonderful possibilities.
Lavinia Osbourne, Founder, Women In Blockchain Talks
WiBT Women in Blockchain Talks is an educational and events platform where the voices of diverse female leaders in Blockchain are shared and heard.
What is your goal in life?
To be happy and to help women come into the blockchain space confidently.
Why Blockchain Technology?
It is the future of money and business.
Describe women empowerment in a simple way
It is having the confidence to be brave and bold in Blockchain.
Where do you see Blockchain & Tech after 10 years?
Having a positive impact on society.
Message to aspiring women that wishes to enter the Blockchain and Tech space
Come on in! it's warm! And the support is here for you to grow and prosper
Veronica Mihai, Angel Investor
Your life, challenges, and motivation
Life is a positive and educational challenge that I take on every day.
What is your goal in life?
To make my small contribution towards a better world.
Why Blockchain Technology?
Crypto and Blockchain represent the opportunity to redesign the world.
Describe women empowerment in a simple way
The freedom to be yourself!
Where do you see Blockchain & Tech after 10 years?
Decentralized ownership, accountability, and transparency democratized application user rewards and inclusive financial systems.
Message to aspiring women that wishes to enter the Blockchain and Tech space *
Be bold to try, don't be afraid to fail, and keep going no matter what.
Helen Disney, Founder, Unblocked
Unblocked is a platform for blockchain insights, education, and events
Your life, challenges, and motivation
My challenge is to explain fast-paced and rapidly changing technology to decision-makers who are nontechnical. I'm motivated to do this because I believe many of today's major economic and social challenges won't be fixed unless we harness the power of emerging technology for good.
What is your goal in life?
Have a meaningful career that makes a difference in the world including driving for diversity in tech, protecting the natural world, and helping individuals to empower themselves financially and professionally.
Why Blockchain Technology?
I believe blockchain, distributed ledgers, and cryptocurrencies are changing our world for the better. By teaching people about blockchain I want to help solve society's big questions and empower all individuals to reach their maximum potential.
Describe women empowerment in a simple way
Empowerment is control over all decisions affecting you and the ability to explore all opportunities to the full.
Where do you see Blockchain & Tech after 10 years?
I believe in a decade blockchain will be embedded into the mainstream and starting to have a major impact in multiple sectors including supply chain, health, and finance.
Message to aspiring women that wishes to enter the Blockchain and Tech space
Just do it!
Lubna Dajani, Founder & MD, Alternet Ltd.
Alternet Ltd. specializes in strategy, collaboration, design, data, privacy, ethics, insight, vision, growth, digital, and transformation
Your life, challenges, and motivation
I am an empathic digital innovator and design thinker driving digital transformation for human happiness and wellbeing for 30 years now. I am also a Palestinian-born woman in the USA pushing experiential design, inclusion, diversity, and STEAM for wellbeing. I have earned my scars and I am motivated to get more girls in STEAM and invite more compassion and collaboration between us so that we can affect the tipping point needed to move from shareholder returns to the stakeholder and planetary wellbeing.
What is your goal in life?
As a systems designer digital innovation Pioneer and recognized futurist and mother I am challenged and motivated to help people transform from the humankind we have been to the KindHuman we were born to be. After all, I am a mother.
Why Blockchain Technology?
DLT is an important innovation and a cornerstone of future society (see allternet.org) especially in moving us from domination based vertical wealth accumulation mindset (shareholders returns) to horizontal wealth enablement and partnerships (stakeholder value)
Describe women empowerment in a simple way
When interests and skills not gender or race frame life opportunities. When women freely support each other and society rediscovers humanity.
Where do you see Blockchain & Tech after 10 years?
Foundational to the future society
Message to aspiring women that wishes to enter the Blockchain and Tech space
There is nothing magical about tech or BC. It’s rather intuitive, especially for women. What is magical is the power you have within if you chose to tap into it. (And you can always call me)
Manuela Warnier, Chief of Staff, B2C2
B2C2 is the largest crypto liquidity provider, a full-service digital capital markets firm.
Your life, challenges, and motivation
I'm a very energetic person who needs to work in a trusted environment. I get my energy and motivation directly from the people I'm surrounded with and I truly believe stronger collaboration and transparency are the key to success. I love learning and being challenged because I forced me to question myself at all time and put things in perspective.
What is your goal in life?
To be as true to me as possible so I can be the best ally and friend to others.
Why Blockchain Technology?
I truly enjoy working in an industry that is still rapidly expanding. It gives you more room for improvement and it offers many challenges to overcome. But most importantly, it gives us the great opportunity to do things differently and set a new and higher standard for the financial industry (I mean in my own context, but the same can be said for other industries). There are so many moving parts connected together and that pushes us to learn every minute along the way.
Describe women empowerment in a simple way
Give women a voice so they can be heard, create a safe and trusted environment so they will be heard.
Where do you see Blockchain & Tech after 10 years?
In a world that is getting more digital by the day, Blockchain, crypto, and tech will take more and more place in our daily lives.
Message to aspiring women that wishes to enter the Blockchain and Tech space
The industry offers a great opportunity to get involved and have an actual impact on how the future will be shaped. While it can be intimidating at first glance (especially in a male-dominated financial industry) there are many communities and resources available to take advantage of. You have a voice, and it matters. Talk to people, create links and learn as we all are. And most importantly, be true to yourself.
Kate Baucherel, Business Development, Galia Digital
Kate Baucherel BA(Hons) FCMA CGMA is a business development and strategy consultant specializing in emerging tech, particularly blockchain and distributed ledger technology. She has held senior technical and financial roles in businesses across multiple sectors, leading several enterprises through start-up and growth, and lectures at Teesside University Business School. Kate’s first job was with an IBM business partner in Denver, back when the AS/400 was a really cool piece of hardware, and the World Wide Web didn’t exist. She delivers keynotes on the effective use of emerging technologies in business and is the author of several books including Blockchain Hurricane: Origins, Applications and Future of Blockchain and Cryptocurrency (BEP 2020) and the What's Hot in Blockchain and Crypto series, along with several novels.
Your life, challenges, and motivation
The economic downturn of 2009 coincided with managing two children under three and two elderly relatives in failing health. At the time I'd reached the dizzying heights of CFO for the subsidiary of an FTSE 100 company, and I was ready to change direction to accommodate family needs. I pivoted into tech, starting three companies (one closed, one sold, one my own consultancy) and working around my family. In the last decade, I have grown in confidence and found my niche.
What is your goal in life?
To build a solid reputation for the things that I love doing, to be proud of my work, and to launch two children successfully into the world to do what they love well, too.
Why Blockchain Technology?
As an accountant and a technologist, I took one look at Ethereum back in 2015 and understood it straight away. I have an affinity for its structure and an ability to explain it clearly to non-technical people. I love it. I think it has changed the way we think about societal and business processes and solutions. I bought my first crypto art the other day. It's all incredibly exciting and I never stop learning.
Describe women empowerment in a simple way
Not having to push harder for recognition than others, not having to apologize or lose out because of the things that make us women (such as family responsibilities).
Where do you see Blockchain & Tech after 10 years?
We won't be talking about blockchain. It will be absorbed into the solutions we use. We will see the results of its implementation in societal change.
Message to aspiring women that wishes to enter the Blockchain and Tech space
Welcome through the looking glass! There are many brilliant women in this space from all walks of life, and it is a supportive place.
Elena Obukhova, Founder & CEO, Fintech Advisory Services
Fintech Advisory Services is a consulting Ecosystem that is Growing Ideas into Successful Businesses in Blockchain and Fintech Domains.
Your life, challenges, and motivation
In 2019 I traveled to 18 countries building a global network for FAS along with learning different new tech, cultures, existing problems, and spotting out business opportunities. All the positive feedback made me realize that FAS will have an exciting journey ahead. Consulting business is about learning and sharing, helping others with their way to success. I studied various things from programming and trading to philosophy and Chinese believing that every knowledge is an essence from a very early age. I never changed my mind and quite determined that keeping your mind always open is crucial for starting a business and fundamental for being a CEO. That might be the reason why every day consulting inspires me as it's filled with new challenges and openings.
I'm originally from Russia but had been living in different places including China, South Korea, Thailand, and Argentina. I'm quite an active person on a professional and on a personal level as well (you can tell it from my hobbies: hiking and motocross). Spending holidays in mountains is just the way I like it to be. By the moment I started FAS I already had experience in several areas including venture capital, financial analytics, marketing, data science, and social impact within blockchain and fintech that helped me a lot in running a consulting firm. My journey to FAS began in China. I lived there for more than 3 years, and during that time, I started consulting blockchain and fintech companies from Europe, the US, and Russia on market specifics. At that point (2018) the interest in blockchain was enormous or at least it felt that way as I was in the epicenter of it. Blockchain startups were appearing every day, the traditional sector started asking what is that "blockchain" and why does blockchain matter. Even during a time I was in United Nations working with the Southeast Asian Fintech segment, there were so many talks about blockchain. In the traditional sector, things started evolving as well, and now adding the "blockchain" word to your business could give you more esteem, even if you don't know how and where to apply it to. It didn't take long to realize that there is a gap in the market as there were not that many businesses and financial professionals with knowledge in the field. There was a constant miscommunication between the traditional sector and the blockchain field. You could feel how these worlds were separated. It was also clear that after the 2017/18 hype many companies will be in a state of uncertainty and survival.
I was lucky to find Sergey Ivanov at that time, my current co-founder, who was in the field from 2012 and went through many memorable moments. I pitched my idea of building a completely decentralized consulting ecosystem that can help SMBs to build their businesses in Blockchain and Fintech. From the very beginning and till now we wanted FAS to be a fully-remote company as we understood that if we're to work with startups and SMBs, we can't charge them for any fancy office in Hong Kong, but for the main resource we provide - industry professionals and experts. FAS's core goal is to provide our clients with expertise in sustainable business strategy and growth and that is where we succeeded. We felt that many small companies are forced to hire full-time employees when they don't need them at that point due to a lack of other options. Despite having high hiring costs and employing one professional full-time with FAS they could now get a group of professionals with different skills to cover all their business needs with 0 hiring costs and now, without hundreds of interviews.
As mentioned in the beginning consulting is about learning and sharing, and needed to say that "giving" also has a place there. During and after the United Nations, I was feeling the need to support startups. Building FAS was not only about consulting, it was about building a global network of professionals, companies, investors, and organizations that are so powerful together. We happily support our clients and network members by giving them access to this network.
Being active in the field is important for me, I participate in tech events and mentorship sessions to share my knowledge and experience in business strategy, market validation, smart budgeting as well as market insights including Asia and Latam. I was always determined that "give" should be an important part of FAS. Hence we contribute to the community by regularly organizing public events, publishing reports, our insights, collaborating with social impact organizations and NGOs as well as participating in mentorship sessions.
I believe startups are the main drivers of the industry, and our mission as FAS and my personal mission is to facilitate their growth. If you’re a startup looking for its way up feel free to reach out to me on Linkedin. I reply from a few minutes to a couple of days and always try to find a way to help.
What is your goal in life?
Accelerate early stage companies, bring diversity and sustainability to their businesses; contribute into the tech community and help idea-stage ventures to overcome challenges on the way to market launch.
Why Blockchain Technology?
I joined during the 2d Bitcoin wave in 2014 during which I discovered blockchain technology. Being a techie, finance person and personal data security believer, I saw new opportunities in this particular field as blockchain technology could bring more democratisation, self-control over personal financial data, freedom and speed for cross-border transactions. It excited me a lot more when I understood the possibility of turning illiquid assets into liquid ones and simplified the documents management system by allowing me to manage everything online and from any part of the world. Those were the initial reasons I was so excited about the technology.
Describe women empowerment in a simple way
Educating and engaging women into decision-making environments.
Where do you see Blockchain & Tech after 10 years?
I would expect Blockchain technology going into a real mass market and reaching the underdeveloped countries that can benefit from it a lot. I would also expect major transformations in the blockchain field that would be impossible to imagine now considering how fast the field is evolving. My main hope is that in 10 years we will see an easier document flow and digital identity in most of the countries based on blockchain as well as the healthcare industry implementing it for data security. I would also expect DAOs to start gaining more traction and credibility. We're making large steps into the IoT world and self-diving, self-managing technologies. Blockchain can be an essential technology to ensure the security of those technologies. STOs that are starting to grow now will be quite a common and liquid investment option that will bring more diversity into the financial industry allowing the general public to invest into assets that weren't available for them before (e.g. luxury segment).
Message to aspiring women that wishes to enter the Blockchain and Tech space
I always say to women that they are no different from men, if they want to enter the blockchain and tech space, they need to do the same steps: start learning and developing skills. "Think about yourself as a professional, pursue your passion as a professional, not as a woman or man". Knowledge and experience don't come with a gender. The only limit for what you can and cannot do is you. Don't be afraid, set ambitious goals and go for them!
Monica Nguyen, Client Services Manager, AIMS
AIMS provides deep liquidity digital currency trading solutions for institutions, high net worth individuals and trading professionals worldwide.
Your life, challenges, and motivation
I am a mum of 4, balancing a busy work and home life in London. In 2018, I embarked on my Crypto career as an OTC Broker in a start-up as the only employee and have been on a constantly evolving progressive journey in a nascent industry. My challenge was finding my voice, I was not confident and struggled to ask questions or contribute in meetings with fear of appearing stupid or the weakest link. Through networking, I was able to connect with many aspiring, talented individuals in an open community where I could learn and fell into the immersive knowledge pool of Fintech, Blockchain and Crypto. The motivation is my growth mindset and my thirst for knowledge in continuing to build my confidence and experience to help others also embarking in their crypto journey as l did in 2018.
What is your goal in life?
To be happy and be a good person
Why Blockchain Technology?
There is a demand for a more fairer, transparent and inclusive world. A decentralised economy built on decentralised blockchain technology crossing over areas that could benefit from decentralised finance, social media or supply chain and so forth will benefit communities and improve trust and market efficiencies.
Describe women empowerment in a simple way
Women helping other women succeed through collaboration, coaching and confidence building.
Where do you see Blockchain & Tech after 10 years?
DLT distributed ledger technology will be the underlying tech for financial services and progressive adoption in all other sectors to improve trust, market efficiencies and transparency.
Message to aspiring women that wishes to enter the Blockchain and Tech space
You may think you're not good enough, you may think your skills and experience does not fit the job description, APPLY TODAY! The only thing between you and that tech job is you!
Victoria Ukpaka, Founder & CEO, Valucop Global
Valucop Global is a value delivery strategy platform where one can learn how to find out what they know or can learn, how to package it, how to deliver it and how to monetize it from a smartphone. Example of this is ebook formatting and publishing, crypto trading, crypto jobs, Blockchain education and so forth.
Your life, challenges, and motivation
My life is focused on helping people discover their strength and how they can use it to add value to people's lives and also how to monetize it. One major challenge I face is getting most people to see that they have capacity to achieve whatever they set their hearts to do. I am self-motivated and also motivated when I see results of my impact.
What is your goal in life?
My goal is to constantly make a positive impact in people's lives and help them discover the best of themselves with what's available now.
Why Blockchain Technology?
Blockchain Technology is a Genesis Technology that gives people room to explore their strength and discover new areas to disrupt positively. The fact that the Blockchain is Decentralized makes it even more beautiful and bring power to the people.
Describe women empowerment in a simple way
Women empowerment is women helping one another become the best they can especially in a marginalized society.
Where do you see Blockchain & Tech after 10 years?
Blockchain and Tech will see massive expansion in most sectors. It's impact would be felt in education, health, governance and so forth.
Message to aspiring women that wishes to enter the Blockchain and Tech space
The blockchain gives you a place to excel, there is a place for you in Blockchain, stay on it.
Wirex products give our users the power to use their money, their way, on one borderless payment platform. Buy, store, exchange, and spend digital or traditional currencies, anytime, anywhere.
Your life, challenges, and motivation
I have an Undergraduate and Master's University degrees in Geography and Politics, but realised after completing it that I have no interest in these subjects. It was a challenge to get a job out of University, but fell into Fintech by accident. Since then, I've realised the importance of being in a workplace that you are happy and enjoy the role, and for me, that is the ultimate motivation.
What is your goal in life?
To continue pushing myself to a place where I have autonomy over decision-making that genuinely impacts on a company/brand.
Why Blockchain Technology?
It's a rapidly developing sector that has huge potential, something I've continued to learn further as I've worked in it. I've always worked in FinTech, and enjoy it's fast moving nature, and have broadly invested in crypto since around 2018, however, I was introduced to the sector via a former colleague, and have now grown to love it. It's a hugely exciting time to be involved in it, especially given the bull run going on at the moment, and the range of multinational players such as Paypal and Mastercard which are being increasingly vocal about their involvement in crypto. All of these things are helping to push the topic into the public realm, and demonstrating to people that crypto could be a mainstream product with use in the everyday.
Describe women empowerment in a simple way
Being in control of your decisions and having a voice that is heard by everyone
Where do you see Blockchain & Tech after 10 years?
I believe that it genuinely will become a mainstream product - there are so many advantages to it that it will push out traditional banking, and become an everyday method of payment.
Message to aspiring women that wishes to enter the Blockchain and Tech space
You don't need to have extensive (or even any) crypto knowledge to get involved, but only an appetite to learn. The space is still hugely understudied and there are a lot of unknown factors, so it's genuinely interesting to learn on the job as more research gets developed and the space expands - joining now is a great career move before crypto becomes mainstream and commonplace across the globe!
Marife C. Ramirez, Business & Marketing Development, DQTSI
DynaQuest helps businesses transition to blockchain-enabled business and information systems through our solutions that extend to business use case planning, service integration, customized development, and resource procurement. As an award-winning provider, we help businesses harness the game-changing capabilities of blockchain.
Your life, challenges, and motivation
My journey in life comes with obstacles and challenges that bring out the best in me. I am a single mother, raising my 17 yrs. old daughter all by myself. I would say it is a very tough job. You have to wear multiple hats as both mother & father. All of the finances, moral obligation, and responsibilities of the household lie on your shoulders. Even though solo parenting can be difficult, the rewards are far greater. I got knocked down several times, yet I stood against all odds and got back up stronger, wiser, and bolder. After much adversity, I have a new outlook on life, and aspirations for my career. Life is like a road. Though you may get stuck in a traffic jam, eventually the light will turn green and it will be time for your aptitude to shine. It made me realize that I have gone through these struggles because I am strong enough to handle it, drive and thrive through it. There is no doubt that my daughter is the person who motivates me greatly. She has tremendously changed my life and made me a better person by teaching me patience, showing me strength, and motivating me to improve myself. As you know, self-motivation is empowering. I believe that it is a strong tool that helps to forge your own path to build a better life. In order for us to stay motivated we have to have a goal and be driven towards achieving that goal.
What is your goal in life?
My main goal in life is to ensure the brighter future of my daughter and eventually put up our own restaurant or retail business. As I improve my standard of living, I want to improve my standard of giving as well by doing charitable works to those who are in need.
Why Blockchain Technology?
Blockchain was introduced to restructure business transactions and to introduce better, faster and reliable forms which can be accessed and moderated digitally. Our company, DynaQuest is committed to make a difference in people's lives primarily the indigenous people in Caraga region. Over 500,000 Indigenous Caraga folks are without formal identities. The Indigenous Citizens in Caraga have no established identities and have no access to schools, healthcare, infrastructure, social and economic services. Indeed, this is a strong challenge among indigenous individuals that seeks an innovative solution for greater good. The Caraga Convergence Initiative aims individuals to have a control over their own digital identities, including being informed on how their personal data is collected, used and shared. In the digital age, individuals need a trusted, verifiable way to prove their identities online and offline.
Describe women empowerment in a simple way
Simply defined as a power of voice to women in a space of society where they didn't have it. Women empowerment enables to promote a sense of self-worth, self-determination by acting on their own authority fighting for what is right & just.
Where do you see Blockchain & Tech after 10 years?
Blockchain started as a buzzword in technology for the past years, but eventually it is transforming into reality. While Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies are so popular in the financial and investment market, I believe the applications for blockchain and identity management across many industries are wide-ranging. There is no doubt that digital currency will be part of every transaction made, and provide government & other businesses embraced identity management, smart contracts, supply chain analysis and so much more.
Message to aspiring women that wishes to enter the Blockchain and Tech space
Women should seize the opportunity by knowing that the blockchain platform offers them the voice in the future. It is not just discovering something new, but about achieving something valuable. The transformation and society’s changing attitudes are making progress. Keep exploring the blockchain space as much as possible. It may sound cliché as it may seem but MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Be fearless to forge your own path.
Janice Ariño, President & CEO, Filipay
Filipay IT Solution services provider that cater Automated Fare Collection System for Public Transportation integrated the use of the Blockchain Technology for easy, reliable and secured transactions for interoperability of the system to other third party providers.
Your life, challenges, and motivation
I am a fan of every trending technology that arises every year which has a great impact on our society. I am not a scientist nor an expert in technology per se, but the passion to learn more each day to consolidate ideas to make them into reality, that’s a great challenge. We are not only an individual woman to settle for less, we need to challenge ourselves more, plan ahead, make necessary actions and focus on our goals to make the dream into reality.
What is your goal in life?
To be the first Filipina woman who implemented Blockchain Tech in the industry of Transportation.
Why Blockchain Technology?
Because we need to have a secure, reliable, easy to use technology for the future of all transactions around the world
Describe women empowerment in a simple way
Women empowerment is to believe that you are a shadow of success, you just need to bring out the natural beauty, brilliant mind and brave woman in you.
Where do you see Blockchain & Tech after 10 years?
I can see Blockchain Tech as one of the necessity to transact with transparency in all parts of the world, giving the benefits of using this tech as a means of cashless payment all over the world with or without bank account
Message to aspiring women that wishes to enter the Blockchain and Tech space
Don’t hesitate to enter to this, learn more and more about the use cases, benefits and the good results beyond this tech. You will be amazed and get interested! At first, it’s difficult to understand, but later on, you will give your time and effort to give your own contributions to make Blockchain Tech to be used in your country or in businesses.
Thy-Diep Ta (Yip), Co-Founder, Unit Ventures
Unit is powering the next economy by connecting providers and customers, digital assets, and building a global community. We believe that the power of meaningful connections is what drives and changes the world. With hubs in 200 cities globally, we connect entrepreneurs, experts, investors, innovators, among many more, across different industries.
Your life, challenges, and motivation
Being the kindest version of myself, in every minute and with every step and every action.
What is your goal in life?
To look back every evening and say: yes, I had a wonderful day. At the end of my life, look back and say: yes, I had a wonderful life.
Why Blockchain Technology?
It’s building the infrastructure and attracts communities of change makers who will transform capitalism.
Describe women empowerment in a simple way
To be free of fear to be 100% yourself.
Where do you see Blockchain & Tech after 10 years?
2030, it will be integrated into our daily lives in the way the Internet is integrated into our lives. It will be more inclusive, fair, and easy to use. It will have enabled the stakeholder economy and SDG2030 to deliver on their promises.
Message to aspiring women that wishes to enter the Blockchain and Tech space
Pls join now. We need more women to help design and build the tech of the future.