Incredible women along the blockchain path
So, I just went through a whirlpool of events, places, faces, and emotions. From MIT Bitcoin Conference in Boston and Edcon in Toronto to Token Fest in NYC with Ethereal, Consensus, and Women on the Block in between, not to mention a bunch of meetups and crypto events. At first, I wanted to write about each event, what I learned, how revolutionary Blockchain technology is going to be, how it will change businesses and processes, money and financial markets. A process that you are working on perfecting today, may not be here in 6 months. The job that you are qualified for today, will not be here in 1 year and that your skills will become obsolete and that you need to go a learn new skills. Schools should be changing their curriculums now to include more STEM, with emphasis on mathematics, statistics, and probability. Teachers should get professional development at local Universities to enhance their math skills and to get an introduction into cryptography. Programming classes should not be electives but become mandatory and that learning just one programming language is not nearly enough, that while you are learning Java, you should dabble in COQ. Companies like mine, Accenture should immediately start training their employees in all things Blockchain and do not just include programmers, but include business and system analysts, project managers, industry specialists and even interns. Because this new technology-Blockchain will touch everyone on the planet in every industry and every process. It is revolutionary! No that is not what I want to write about. Not at ALL!
I want to write about a woman named Marina Simun whom I met at MIT Bitcoin conference, who introduced me to everyone she knew there and she knew EVERYONE even though I could not find her on any social media channel. Marina is part of the https://legi.cash project that is trying to solve the performance problem of Blockchain and she is the one who told me about the COQ language I never heard of, that only a few people in the world can actually program in. I told Marina about what I am trying to do, unite women, provide education to them, invite them into this amazing world of Blockchain so that it can change their lives forever like it changed mine when I was first was introduced to it 3 years ago. Marina gave me support and guidance when I just launched W4B project and was not sure which direction to take it.
I want to write about an incredible chick that I met through a friend of mine — Elena Sinelnikova, who leads with 2 other incredible chicks an educational company CryptoChicks htpps://cryptochicks.ca out of Toronto, where they are trying to educate women and inspire them to build amazing projects with Blockchain technology. Cryptochicks and W4B are now partnering for a first-ever Hackathon in NYC with 3 tracks: business, legal and tech to educate women about this amazing technology. Elena and her team provided strong hand when I needed it, and they still do and I am pretty lucky to work with this great group of women.
I want to write about Julie Coin and Surina Shukri whom I met at Cindy Chin’s Blockchain lunch, who after I told them what I am trying to do, immediately offered their help. And there was lots of help that I needed, from planning the venue, the food, the schedule, the sponsor packages, web site content. I needed it all, and I got it all. Both incredible ladies are part of the W4B team and I know there is no way I will be able to pull this off without their help, support, and encouragement.
I want to write about Cindy Chin, who organized that inspiring lunch where she connects women, the same Cindy who organized Women on the Block conference to showcase women and inspire all. I want to write about Alexandra Kramer, who was my first contact outside of my professional circle, I just kind of send her a linked-in message and she responded, and we talked and I listened, and she advised and I absorbed, and this is how I ended up speaking at the Women on the Block panel for smart contracts. And now Alexandra is coming to our event in October to be a mentor for legal Hackathon. Thank you both Alexandra and Cindy!
I want to write about Rena, whom we partied with at Jaxx, who is super passionate about Vegan Nation http://www.vegannation.io and wants to turn me into Vegan, haha that will never happen. I go hunting every year I told her, she told me that nobody is perfect. I absolutely love her devotion to Vegans and passion about the problem that her company is trying to solve.
I want to write about Jackie Morck who doesn’t seem to ever stop, who is smart, ambitions but at the same time kind and empathetic and when I proposed her a project, she agreed right there and then. Jackie runs a blockchain tech company http://inputstrategic.com, she is bad ass! So stay tuned people, the project doesn’t have a name nor a website but has a deadline and we already have an interest from FedEx from another amazing woman that works there, my mom Victoria!
I would like to write about Ekaterina Timaeva, whom I met on the plane and I approached to be an advisor for another venture that I am working on in the Blockchain space, who was gracious enough to agree, who always helps and offers advice when I am lost or stuck!
I want to write about Roni Rose, whom I met because she was going to interview me for the podcast 101 Crypto, who after talking, offered to help with the site, and I am forever grateful. She also did an amazing podcast with Caitlin Long, please listen to it on our site www.women4blockchain.com
I want to write about 4 of my girlfriends, Nina, Oksana, Juliya and Renata who when I originally approached them, jumped on board head first without even understanding what they signed up for. Thank you for some sleepless nights, late evenings and weekends conference calls and your time, energy and interest that you bring to the project. I am forever grateful for their friendship, assistance, and praise every step of the way.
And finally, I want to write that I am at awe at the women that are in my life now, that I did not know only a year ago, that I am richer than any bitcoin billionaire, because nothing can replace human emotions and support that we women give to each other!
