Breaking Down Obstacles: Discover the 7 Trailblazing Women Revolutionizing Crypto and the Future of Web3

Women in Crypto: A Diverse Group Making Their Mark in the Industry” – Cointelegraph recently sat down with female leaders from various backgrounds, projects, countries, and generations to discuss their careers, the importance of diversity, and their experiences in the crypto world. Despite facing challenges and breaking barriers, women have been instrumental in shaping the crypto industry from its inception, building projects, fostering communities, and establishing brands. They continue to lead the charge and tackle the numerous obstacles posed by this rapidly growing field.

Yet, they have been less involved in starting Web3 businesses. According to the Web3 Career Market report by crypto exchange KuCoin, 27% of female professionals in the field have been involved in starting a crypto startup, compared to 41% of males in the survey. For many, the “bro culture” in Web3 poses career challenges and barriers to onboarding more women into the space, the same report shows.

Cointelegraph recently spoke with a diverse group of women from various backgrounds, projects, countries, and generations to gain insight into their careers, their journey into crypto, and the importance of diversity in the industry. These women are working towards a shared goal of encouraging individuals from all genders to become a part of this rapidly growing and evolving field.

Meet Seema Khinda Johnson, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Nuggets

Seema Khinda Johnson: From Tech Leader to Trailblazer in the Crypto World”

With a successful 17-year career in product development for both startups and big tech companies, Seema made her way into the crypto industry after a personal security incident. Her husband’s credit card and personal data were stolen, which led to a newfound interest in privacy control issues and eventually the creation of Nuggets, a decentralized identity wallet, in 2016.

Despite having supportive male allies in the Web3 space, Seema believes that increased funding and support for female entrepreneurs is crucial for boosting crypto adoption:

Meet Sandra Leow, researcher analyst at Nansen

From Crypto Enthusiast to On-Chain Data Advocate: Sandra’s Journey in the Industry” – Sandra’s introduction to the world of crypto came through her sister and she quickly became captivated, diving deep into the world of altcoins and NFTs.

Prior to joining Nansen, Sandra gained experience as an intern at the Amber Group. Now, at Nansen, she is dedicated to using on-chain data to increase transparency in the blockchain industry.

Sandra Leow:  “I think we’re moving past that [gender] stereotype.” Source: Nansen

Sandra still observes Web2 stigmas embedded into Web3, but sees a shift away from older gender biases:

Meet Devon Martens, principal blockchain engineer at Sweet

From Educator to NFT Marketplace Contract Writer: Devon’s Path in the Crypto Industry” – Devon’s journey in the crypto world began at an education company where she supported Solidity courses. She quickly rose through the ranks, transitioning from support to teaching the program at the University of Minnesota. Today, she is part of the team at Sweet, an NFT marketplace, where she writes smart contracts for some of the biggest names in the industry.

“There is so much potential, especially for women leaders looking to change the world, in this relatively new decentralized, blockchain environment. People literally teach themselves, so the barrier of a certain credential does not exist yet as it does in some other areas of tech or engineering.”

Meet Daniela Barbosa, executive director of Hyperledger Foundation

Daniela has been into Bitcoin since its early days. In 2010, she was working on a project involving data portability in San Francisco, and many of her team members were also involved in Bitcoin projects.

  “I remember the days of going on Craigslist to go find someone selling Bitcoin from their garage in Glen Park SF […] I went to a Bitcoin meetup in SF in probably 12-13 and felt completely out of place as an older female amongst a bunch of bros. Honestly, I got a bit turned off with the local scene, but not enough to not keep an eye on what was going on.”

Meet Sandy Carter, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Business Development at Unstoppable Domain

Sandy Carter: A Tech Trailblazer in the World of Crypto and Blockchain” – With a long and illustrious career in the tech industry, dating back to the early days of Web2, Sandy first encountered the world of crypto and blockchain while serving as a Vice President at AWS. Her research into the potential uses of blockchain piqued her interest, and she was drawn to the idea of decentralization, user ownership over data and digital assets, and the community-driven decision-making process of Web3.

Sandy Carter’s Mission to Promote Diversity in the Crypto Industry” – With a wealth of experience in the tech industry, Sandy recognizes the negative impact that a lack of diversity can have on innovation and creativity. The absence of diverse perspectives often results in a misunderstanding of the needs and experiences of minority groups.

 Sandy Carter: “Without knowledge or exposure to the industry, women may lose confidence and interest in pursuing careers in the sector.” Source: Unstoppable Domains

 Determined to address this issue, Sandy joined Unstoppable Domains in 2021 and launched the “Unstoppable Women of Web3” initiative. Through education and training, this program aims to empower and equip the next generation of female leaders in the crypto industry.

  “Without knowledge or exposure to the industry, women may lose confidence and interest in pursuing careers in the sector.”

• Source: https://cointelegraph.com