The numbers tell a clear story: men outnumber women in Web3 leadership roles by nearly 9:1. But beyond this stark statistic lies untapped potential. For Women's History Month, we're sharing stories of women bringing unique approaches to Web3.
Gender division in Web3 startup founders. Source: Hacken
One advantage of Web3 is that it's still early — we can build differently from the start. Unlike previous tech waves that struggled with diversity later, we can prioritize inclusion from the ground up.
We spoke with founders, marketers, community builders, and technical leaders across the ecosystem. Their paths were diverse: seeking financial alternatives, switching from traditional tech, discovering crypto through academics, or being drawn in by creative possibilities. Despite challenges, they've stayed because they see something worth building. These women aren't just participating in Web3 — they're leading it, shaping its culture, and creating paths for others.
Alina Balaur — CTO, Arttoo
Andrea Berry — Head of BD, Theta Labs
Ashley Stanhope — Founder & CEO, Hardfork Media
Bobbilee Hartman — Head of Developer Community, Coinbase Developer Platform
Carla Monni — Founder, Monniverse
Chic Bangs — Founder & Artist, Chic Bangs debut album and Higher FM
Chowtato — Accelerator Strategy & Builder Resources Lead, Sui Foundation
Cynthia Gliga — Marketing & Community Lead, Cartesi
Elen Kay — Global Community Lead, Axelar Foundation
Erica Cheever — Community Growth, BeamGamers
Erin Magennis — Cofounder, Causality Network, MuseMatrix, The DeSci Mic
Eva Rodríguez Machado — Ecosystem Marketing Manager, Starknet Foundation
Jinelle D'Lima — Cofounder, Nozomi Network
Krystyna Kozak-Kornacka — CMO, Cookie3 and Cookie DAO
Laura Suttie — Director of Product, Valora
Martina Beg — Marketing Lead, Galxe
Laura is the founder and host of Unchained, a podcast that offers in-depth and no-hype insights on all things crypto. She’s also the author of The Cryptopians: Idealism, Greed, Lies, and the Making of the First Big Cryptocurrency Craze, a book that explores the early days of cryptocurrency.
Meltem Demirors — General Partner, Crucible CapitalMeltem has been a leading voice in the crypto industry since 2015. Previously the Chief Strategy Officer at CoinShares, she has invested in over 150 companies within the digital asset ecosystem.
Sandra Ro — CEO, Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC)Under her leadership, GBBC has become a key voice in promoting blockchain's transformative potential and has brought together top companies and thought leaders to drive collaboration and education.
Maria Shen — Partner, Electric CapitalMaria is a Partner at Electric Capital, a leading venture capital firm focused on cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and decentralization. She’s gained recognition as a trusted expert in the industry and is often featured in major publications like Forbes and the Wall Street Journal.
Everyone arrives at Web3 through their own unique door. The women we’re featuring today found their way to the space through various paths — from financial necessity to intellectual curiosity, from career evolution to artistic exploration. Their diverse entry points have shaped their perspectives and contributions.
For Eva Machado, crypto was a practical answer to a real challenge.
Growing up in Argentina, Eva saw firsthand how inflation could make life unpredictable. When your local currency doesn't hold its value well, you naturally start looking for better options.
"I'm from Argentina where inflation and financial instability are normal," Eva explains. "I needed a way out and crypto was my answer."
"I needed a way out and crypto was my answer."
EVA MACHADO
Ecosystem Marketing Manager, Starknet Foundation
What started as a personal solution grew into something more. Eva began creating content to help others figure out crypto too. Six years later, she's running marketing campaigns for the Starknet ecosystem and helping projects succeed.
Similarly, Laura Suttie's journey began with recognizing systemic financial barriers. "I was helping U.S. students secure loans for university, excited to be part of their first major financial decision. But, I quickly learned my impact was limited. Many lenders relied on rigid, outdated rules." This frustration led her to explore alternatives: Says Laura: "I became obsessed with the idea of building financial systems that actually include people."
Laura is now putting that vision into practice as Director of Product at Valora, a mobile crypto wallet focused on making digital currencies accessible to everyone. She's helping build user-friendly products that remove traditional financial barriers, allowing people from diverse backgrounds to participate in the emerging digital economy.
Martina Beg, Marketing Lead at Galxe, also recognized crypto's potential as a financial alternative, but from a broader societal perspective. "What really got me interested was the realization that crypto is a powerful alternative to traditional financial systems," she shares.
For Martina, the implications go beyond personal finances: "We're building a monetary system that operates outside of government control, which becomes essential when economies collapse — whether through runaway hyperinflation or governments weaponizing money against their own people." She sees cryptocurrency as "a lifeline for financial freedom, giving people the ability to truly own and move their wealth without permission."
"We're building a monetary system that operates outside of government control, which becomes essential when economies collapse — whether through runaway hyperinflation or governments weaponizing money against their own people."
MARTINA BEG
Marketing Lead, Galxe
For Jinelle D'Lima, the path to Web3 came after a challenging career transition when she relocated from India to Singapore. "Some 200+ interviews and 2 months later I realized, if I wanted to stay competitive I needed to do things differently," she recalls. Having previously pivoted from PR to digital media at Nykaa, Jinelle recognized the need to find an emerging field where she could make an impact.
"My purpose in life is to break down barriers and give everyone equal opportunity," Jinelle shares. "Crypto offered me that — remote work, be first, be innovative, help the greater good, paid well. I was hooked."
Today, as a Cofounder of Nozomi Network, Jinelle continues to apply her knack for spotting trends early. In 2021, she launched an NFT project despite having no prior experience: "Instead of saying, someone needs to teach me, or I need material, I jumped into the deep end." The project sold out and donated $40,000 to Wonder Foundation, a woman-led NGO in the UK. Her advice reflects her own journey: "We're all learning to fly while building the plane in real time."
“We’re all learning to fly while building the plane in real time.”
JINELLE D'LIMA
Founder, Nozomi Network
Many women discovered Web3 through fascination with the technology and its possibilities.
Cynthia Gliga first heard about Bitcoin when it was around $2,000 but wrote it off as "expensive magic internet money." It wasn't until the 2018 price spike that she got serious about it. What kept her interested wasn't just the money, but the ideas behind it: "I was drawn to the philosophical lore about being permissionless, censorship-resistant, and eliminating the middleman," Gliga says. Despite not knowing anyone else in crypto — and spending three days checking if Coinbase was legit before using it — she jumped in and started learning everything she could.
Today, as Marketing & Community Lead at Cartesi, Cynthia works at the intersection of blockchain and emerging technologies. Her role allows her to witness firsthand how Web3 is evolving beyond its early philosophical roots into practical applications that are making the technology more accessible to everyone.
"I was drawn to the philosophical lore about being permissionless, censorship-resistant, and eliminating the middleman."
CYNTHIA GLIGA
Marketing & Community Lead, Cartesi
Alina Balaur's journey began early: "I first got interested in crypto when I was much younger, before Bitcoin really boomed in 2017. I met people setting up their gear for Bitcoin mining, and I thought it was fascinating."
Her curiosity deepened when she discovered Bitcoin puzzles—"a digital treasure hunt where you had to solve a series of clues to unlock Bitcoin rewards. It felt like a CTF challenge, and I was hooked," Balaur says. Years later, "I started following the XRP vs. SEC case, which got me diving deeper into blockchain. I read about DeFi and thought it was incredibly innovative."
Inspired by "seeing so many brilliant, educated people working on these challenges," Alina joined the space professionally: "My first Web3 job was at Mysten Labs, and when I started, I thought, 'This is it—I'm in the cool kids' club!'"
Now, as CTO at Arttoo, she's "building a decentralized ecosystem that enables fractional ownership and pricing mechanisms of fine art, making it accessible to a broader audience."
For Krystyna Kozak-Kornacka, academic study sparked her interest. "I was doing my masters in digital sociology at the University of Warsaw and had a module on crypto and blockchain,” she says. “I got fascinated by the concept of self-custody digital money and the tech behind it." Her interest evolved beyond the classroom — she "bought [her] first crypto and even wrote [her] final master thesis on crypto" before becoming CMO at Cookie3 and Cookie DAO.
For others, Web3 represented an exciting new direction in their professional journey.
Chowtato came to Web3 through her existing career. "I started in Web2 gaming, where the industry is oversaturated and competition amongst companies for user attention is fierce," she shares. When she got the chance to move into Web3 gaming, she leveraged her background in partnerships. Eventually, she realized "the space was bigger than gaming" and appreciated "the fast pace, the innovation, and the ability to make an impact on the ecosystem."
Andrea Berry's journey was shaped by her experience in video streaming infrastructure. Growing up in Silicon Valley, she was learning about Bitcoin as early as 2010 but felt like she had "missed the boat" for years. However, after building her career in media, she saw how community is the backbone of success in any media entity. This realization led her to understand how blockchain can be infrastructure for community, and that’s when she knew she "had to jump in with both feet."
For Elen Kay, the transition to Web3 was a natural evolution of her existing expertise. "I've known about the space for years, but my professional Web3 journey began when I received an offer from a Web3 cybersecurity company," she explains. "Given my fascination with cybersecurity, it felt like the right move — especially as Web3 security presents unique challenges like smart contract vulnerabilities and cross-chain exploits." Though she found the volume of information overwhelming at first, Elen says her move into Web3 "has been one of the best decisions [she’s] ever made."
“Given my fascination with cybersecurity, it felt like the right move — especially as Web3 security presents unique challenges like smart contract vulnerabilities and cross-chain exploits.”
ELEN KAY
Global Community Lead, Axelar Foundation
Bobbilee Hartman's background in software engineering and developer relations naturally led her to blockchain around 2020. "I have been working in tech since 2012, first as a software engineer then I moved into developer relations, so learning about blockchain development and Web3 naturally became part of my journey," she shares. After being inspired by a talk from Human Rights Foundation Chief Strategy Officer Alex Gladstein, Bobbilee became one of the first organizers of BoysClub, a women in Web3 DAO, before moving to a role focused on decentralized identity and verifiable credentials.
Ashley Stanhope's interest developed during the pandemic. "I was a journalist during COVID and the news cycle was pretty stressful. I started programming as a hobby to take my mind off of things." When introduced to Ethereum, she "quickly became interested in the idea of smart contracts, and a programmable world computer." This led to a communications role with a company investing in ether, then to conferences and hackathons, and eventually to founding Hardfork Media.
"I quickly became interested in the idea of smart contracts, and a programmable world computer."
ASHLEY STANHOPE
Founder, Hardfork Media
For some women, Web3's appeal came through creative possibilities or personal connections. Chic Bangs was inspired by "blockchain tech and distribution possibilities for artists." Carla Monni fell in love with the "incredible collaborative space" of SocialDAO before founding AI animation studio Monniverse. Erica Cheever found crypto "in 2017 from a Reddit post" leading to her role at BeamGamers.
These diverse stories share a common thread: there's no single "right" way to discover Web3. Each woman's unique entry point has informed her perspective and contribution to the ecosystem. What matters isn't how you found Web3, but what you do once you're here.
As Krystyna puts it: "Just go for it... Are you going to make questionable crypto decisions at first? Probably. But that's also part of the learning process. You won't get into it if you don't try."
"Just go for it... Are you going to make questionable crypto decisions at first? Probably. But that's also part of the learning process."
KRYSTYNA KOZAK-KORNACKA
CMO, Cookie3 and Cookie DAO
Web3 can be tough to break into, especially for women. Here’s a look at the real challenges our contributors faced and the practical solutions they came up with.
"I'm not the loudest voice in the room."
— Chowtato
In Web3, it often feels like you need to constantly speak up to be heard. But rather than forcing herself to be louder, Chowtato decided to focus on building expertise so that people would seek her out: "I focused on building deep domain knowledge so that people come to me for insights." Writing also gave her a platform: "Sharing my thoughts on X gave me space to articulate my ideas and gain confidence."
"The overwhelming amount of acronyms and gatekeeping lingo."
— Bobbilee Hartman
The technical jargon in Web3 can feel exclusionary, especially for newcomers. Bobbilee's strategy was straightforward: "I stay in my lane, do what I know well, and take notes on every term I don't understand." This methodical approach helped her build knowledge while remaining effective in her areas of expertise.
"I felt like an outsider."
— Laura Suttie
When first entering crypto, Laura worried she didn't know enough to participate. Her breakthrough came when she realized: "Being new isn't a weakness... It's a strength. If something felt complicated to me, it would definitely feel complicated to a new user." This perspective became valuable in building more accessible products.
"Women founders still have it harder than the boys."
— Carla Monni
Carla tackled this head-on by creating a supportive network of like-minded women. "I found incredible women who always have each other's backs," she shares. Erica had a similar approach: "Finding a good circle of women and following women speakers helped me feel more supported."
"Being in a bro-ey space."
— Jinelle D'Lima
Rather than seeing the male-dominated environment as purely negative, Jinelle found growth in the challenge: "In 2019 there weren't too many women and it taught me to become tougher, and not take things personally." She advocates for a mindset shift: "As women, we need to stop framing things as challenges, and rewire ourselves to think about obstacles as opportunities."
"Being misidentified at industry events."
— Martina Beg
At conferences and events, Martina often encountered a frustrating challenge: "People often assume I'm not actually in crypto. Many times, I've been mistaken for an event organizer, recruiter, or a plus-one, rather than someone actively working in the space." Rather than getting discouraged, she persisted in establishing her presence. "It's not uncommon for women's knowledge in Web3 to be underestimated, especially in technical or investment-related discussions. Instead of assuming expertise, people sometimes expect us to prove it first."
"Being treated like I am stupid because I am a woman."
— Krystyna Kozak-Kornacka
Krystyna didn’t shy away from this challenge. "I just stood my ground. I’ve got accomplishments these men don’t, so I always make sure to steer the conversation back to show I know what I’m talking about."
"Self-doubt in a male-dominated space."
— Alina Balaur
Even when she had the right skills, Alina sometimes doubted if she belonged. Her strategy? "I’ve been building confidence in my expertise and reminding myself that my perspective matters. I also make an effort to speak up, even when it feels uncomfortable."
"Some people will only want to connect for non-professional reasons."
— Erin Magennis
For Erin, the solution was clear: "Having good people around me, setting clear boundaries, and being ready to walk away when necessary has been key."
"Workplace dynamics that mirror other industries."
— Elen Kay
Elen found that some challenges weren't unique to Web3: "There have been times when my suggestions weren't taken as seriously as those of my male colleagues, or when I felt like I had to prove myself more." Her solution focused on agency and choice: "What made the difference for me was learning to advocate for myself and choosing companies and teams that align with my values."
"The lack of technical knowledge."
— Eva Rodríguez Machado
Eva turned what she saw as a weakness into a strength: "I tackled it by reading and listening to podcasts. I accepted that I’m not a developer, but I focused on my communication skills."
"Being underestimated in technical conversations."
— Andrea Berry
Andrea's approach: "I've learned to let my work do the talking, stay confident, and prove people wrong... over and over."
Jumping into Web3 can feel overwhelming with all the jargon, constant changes, and new culture. Our contributors share real advice for getting past those first hurdles.
One of the most common misconceptions about Web3 is that you need technical skills to contribute. Chowtato, who leads accelerator strategy at Sui Foundation, wants newcomers to know that's simply not true.
"You don't need to be technical to get started, but you do need curiosity and a willingness to learn," she explains. "Even coming from tech, Web3 has a steep learning curve. It takes time, self-teaching, and a lot of trial and error."
Elen Kay emphasizes that existing skills are valuable: "Web3 is an incredibly dynamic space with endless opportunities for those willing to dive in. No matter your background, many of the skills you've gained in other industries can be applied here — what matters most is a willingness to learn and adapt."
Instead of getting overwhelmed by the technical aspects, Chowtato suggests focusing on building connections and practical experience through a step-by-step approach:
Several women agree that starting is the hardest part.
Eva keeps it simple: "Jump in! Don't wait for the perfect moment, job, or role." She learned that getting involved is the key — everything else will fall into place as you go.
Laura shares a similar perspective: "Just go for it! Your perspective matters, especially if you feel like an outsider. Try out products, make mistakes, and learn as you go."
Krystyna adds: "You’ll probably make some questionable crypto decisions at first, and that’s okay. You won’t get anywhere if you don’t try."
Alina emphasizes trusting yourself: "You don’t need to know it all before you start. Web3 moves fast, and no one has all the answers. Focus on what excites you, and go from there."
For many, the jargon and complexity of Web3 can feel intimidating. Several women offered advice on pushing past this barrier.
Ashley addresses this directly: "Don't be intimidated. Yes, there are a lot of people who will try to impress with technical jargon, but don't be afraid to ask questions. Be curious, read a lot, go to meet ups, experiment with small amounts of money onchain."
Chic Bangs offers simple but powerful advice: "Ask lots of questions, experiment and educate yourself to form your own opinions." This approach emphasizes personal agency in the learning process.
Andrea reminds newcomers of an important truth: "Web3 moves fast, and no one has all the answers, so don't wait until you feel like an 'expert' to jump in."
While community is important, several women noted that being selective about connections is crucial.
Martina emphasizes the value of in-person networking: "The best and easiest way to start is by attending Web3 events and conferences. This is where you'll meet people in the industry, learn about different projects, and find job or collaboration opportunities." She points out that this approach can accelerate entry into the space: "Most people in Web3 are open to networking, and simply showing up can fast-track your entry into the space."
She also recommends joining Web3 communities and DAOs: "Many Web3 companies hire directly from their community, and participating in discussions can lead to opportunities."
Erin emphasizes quality over quantity: "Reach out, make connections, ask for what you want, and build. There are a lot of awesome people in Web3 — but there is also a lot of noise, so focus on the good people & projects."
Andrea builds on this: "Build real relationships, find a strong network, and surround yourself with people who support and challenge you. The right connections will open doors."
Erica recommends specific approaches to safety and education: "Educate yourself on how to stay safe." She also suggests finding role models: "Follow some of the women speakers" and points to specific resources: "Follow @girl_intheverse! She's amazing at educating women."
Some advice focused on the importance of being responsive to feedback and community needs.
Carla offers unique advice for builders: "Listen to your audience — doesn't matter if it is only 10 followers. People really help you shape the product you want to bring in!"
Cynthia reminds newcomers of the bigger picture: "Web3 is on track to become the only web, and all this will be part of our daily lives. The sooner everyone familiarizes themselves with this new paradigm, the better, as it will unlock more opportunities."
She encourages newcomers to start from wherever they are — "it doesn't matter if it's local meetups, testing new dApps, or watching tutorials." The important thing is to begin engaging with the technology in some way.
Beyond market fluctuations and hype cycles, we asked these women which emerging trends they believe will create genuine value.
AI and blockchain are coming together in exciting ways, and it’s a trend that kept coming up in our conversations.
"I'm pretty hyped about AI agents and onchain AI," says Cynthia Gliga of Cartesi. "We're going to see more autonomy, verifiability, and accountability. AI is tearing down barriers to development and coding, making it easier for anyone to get involved."
That shift is already happening: "Two of my colleagues, who had zero coding experience, built games for an onchain fantasy console — entirely with AI."
Bobbilee is exploring practical applications: "I'm learning how to build an agent to streamline my weekly event operations for Coinbase," she explains, describing how it would handle everything from calendar invites to Slack notifications.
For Erica, AI is speeding up development and cutting costs for game creators, while Andrea Berry sees it enhancing consumer experiences and unlocking new possibilities for IP: "AI is transforming how people interact with content, making experiences more personalized, immersive, and interactive. At the same time, Web3 is redefining ownership and monetization models for IP, giving creators and brands entirely new ways to engage with their communities."
"Interoperability is the solution to Web3 adoption," Elen states. "Right now, we're still in a fragmented, multi-chain world where assets, applications, and liquidity are siloed."
She envisions a seamless future: "Imagine using an application without needing to know which blockchain it's running on — just like how we use the internet today... Once chains can communicate as seamlessly as everything is on the internet, we'll see an explosion of new applications."
For many, the real potential of Web3 lies in apps that fit seamlessly into everyday life.
Laura is optimistic about consumer apps that prioritize user experience: "The best ones won’t feel like ‘crypto apps’ — they’ll just be useful and fun."
Eva sees AI-powered consumer apps as a way to bring blockchain to a wider audience, while Carla Monni believes a smoother user experience is key to mass adoption.
For some, the future of Web3 is about blurring the lines between the digital and physical worlds.
"I'm really intrigued by the potential of Real-World Assets in crypto," says Alina.
Chowtato sees a similar shift, pointing to NFC-enabled products and NFT-based memberships that link digital assets to real-world experiences.
Jinelle is passionate about "Decentralized Science — there is so much that big pharma controls today."
She sees it as "a necessary revolution to prevent corporate-funded narratives, gatekeeping, and profit-driven decision-making from determining the future of health, medicine, and knowledge."
"The more we decentralize funding, research, and access to scientific breakthroughs," Jinelle explains, "the more we shift power away from monopolies and back to individuals."
“The more we decentralize funding, research, and access to scientific breakthroughs, the more we shift power away from monopolies and back to individuals. “
JINELLE D'LIMA
Cofounder, Nozomi Network
Web3 is evolving beyond speculation, with a stronger focus on usability, security, and new ways to apply blockchain tech.
Ashley observes: "The industry is finally catching on that UX and UI matters. I'm seeing more protocols offer a web2 experience for web3 users."
She adds that while "the industry is still prone to scams," adopting "additional security mechanisms for wallets and DAOs will greatly benefit the industry in the long run."
Chic Bangs is excited about "Farcaster social graph mixed and the integration of a wallet with frames that are apps," pointing to how social platforms are becoming more integrated with blockchain functionality.
Martina sees the future of Web3 moving beyond speculation toward practical utility, with on-chain identity playing a central role. "Web3 is moving beyond speculation and towards real-world utility, and on-chain identity is key to that shift," she explains. "Projects like Galxe Passport, zk-identity, soulbound tokens, and decentralized reputation systems will enable more personalized experiences, and more meaningful community engagement." This focus on identity and reputation systems could help address some of the trust issues that have limited mainstream adoption.
What ties these perspectives together is a focus on real-world impact over jargon and buzzwords. These women are excited about technologies that solve actual problems, open up new possibilities, and make systems more accessible.
Their insights point to a more mature Web3 space — one that's moving past hype and towards building things that truly matter. As Alina puts it, "It's crucial that we focus on solving real problems rather than just riding the hype wave."
With women making up a small fraction of Web3 leaders, creating a more inclusive ecosystem is essential for ensuring Web3 works for everyone. We asked women in the space how the industry can better support and onboard more women, and their answers highlight diverse, yet complementary, strategies to make this happen.
For Chowtato, creating a more inclusive Web3 requires addressing several interconnected challenges.
"The more we amplify female voices, the more women will feel encouraged to step into Web3," she explains. Her approach focuses on three key areas:
Knowledge barriers can be particularly challenging in a rapidly evolving technical field. Chowtato points to initiatives like SheFi that are designed specifically to help women build their crypto knowledge base.
These targeted educational programs create safe spaces for learning and questioning, addressing the fact that many women report feeling intimidated when asking "basic" questions in general crypto communities.
Technical complexity doesn't just create learning barriers — it creates usage barriers. "Web3 needs more apps that abstract away the complexity and make onboarding seamless," Chowtato notes.
This isn't just about making things easier for women, but recognizing that simplified, intuitive experiences benefit everyone. When basic interactions require less technical knowledge, the ecosystem becomes more accessible to people from all backgrounds.
Perhaps most importantly, Chowtato emphasizes the role of supportive communities. She highlights groups like "Berachain Baddies and Chipped" that "create welcoming spaces for women to connect and thrive."
NFC-chip manicure brand by Winny
Elen highlights the importance of addressing misconceptions that keep newcomers away. Based on conversations with friends outside the industry, she's identified common objections:
"Almost every time, I hear one of these responses: It's too hard. It's too risky. I wouldn't know where to start. I don't have enough money to invest right now."
She believes these perceptions reveal a fundamental issue: "Outside the industry, Web3 is often seen as either a scam or just an investment opportunity. We're not talking enough about the incredible technology we're building or the real-world problems we're solving."
Her solution involves clearer communication about what Web3 truly offers: "Beginner-friendly resources that break down concepts in a simple, approachable way" and "more conversations about Web3's long-term vision and impact beyond speculation and investing."
Bobbilee advocates for accessible learning environments: "Smaller events, gatherings, and clubs for all levels of Web3 knowledge—creating workshop titles and descriptions with minimal acronyms, incorporating real-life analogies in talks and learning materials."
She emphasizes the importance of psychological safety: "Always, always providing a welcoming environment that encourages questions. There are no dumb or newbie questions."
Bobbilee also suggests an innovative approach to learning: "Small bi-weekly building hang outs...like a book club series but for learning a new tool in web3.”
Several women emphasized the importance of structured programs and intentional organizational policies.
Ashley advocates for concrete hiring practices: "I would say crypto companies should put certain hiring quotas in place for women so it doesn't become a shop full of men." She also acknowledges the value of existing organizations: "SheFi has built an incredible community and offers many resources to women getting started in web3, which is really cool to see."
Carla similarly focuses on institutional support: "Create more women specific funding for women CEOs and provide more education and scholarships for younger queens." Her approach emphasizes the importance of financial backing and educational opportunities specifically designed for women.
Some women highlighted the need for different communication styles and cultural approaches.
Erin Magennis sees the need for a shift in communication styles: "Communicate & create invitations for participation in a more feminine friendly way. Crypto requires heavy masculine energy to thrive in it, but to onboard more women having more community approaches could help."
Her perspective acknowledges that the current culture of Web3 often rewards traditionally masculine traits like aggressive competition and risk-taking. Creating spaces that value collaborative approaches might help attract and retain more women.
Laura emphasizes the power of one-on-one guidance: "One of the first big user research projects I did at Valora was about how new people get into crypto. We talked to hundreds of users, and one theme kept coming up: everyone had a friend they trusted to onboard them."
She believes this personal touch is essential: "If we want more women in Web3, we need to personally invite them in, make space for them, and ensure they feel empowered to participate."
Andrea builds on this: "We need more beginner friendly education, real mentorship opportunities, and inclusive events where women feel genuinely welcomed, not just as a checkbox. But the biggest game changer is building strong, supportive communities where women can connect, collaborate, and lean on the relationships they've worked hard to grow."
Martina offers a four-point framework for better onboarding and supporting women in Web3. "To better onboard and support women in Web3, we need to focus on visibility, access, and community," she explains.
Her approach includes making Web3 more accessible through beginner-friendly resources; increasing representation by featuring more women as speakers and leaders; supporting women-led networks and funding initiatives; and actively shifting the culture away from the prevalent "bro" environment.
She adds, "The bottom line? If Web3 wants mass adoption, it can't leave half the population behind. The more diverse and inclusive the space becomes, the stronger and more innovative it will be."
Other contributors emphasized treating women the same as men rather than creating women-specific initiatives.
Cynthia takes this stance: "I don't have a very feminist take here, but I don't feel that women need special invitations or hand-holding to join the space."
She believes in treating women "as equal participants who can make their own decisions about which industry they want to invest their time, knowledge, and energy." Her approach focuses on personal connections rather than broad initiatives: "One person at a time, even if it's not scalable... If all of us brought one friend onchain, we'd directly double the Web3 population."
Alina shares a similar perspective: "To better onboard and support women in Web3, we need to stop treating them differently and instead focus on creating equal opportunities for everyone. Women shouldn't need special programs or hand-holding–they need the same confidence, encouragement, and respect that men often receive in this space."
She adds that normalization is key: "One way to do this is by normalizing the idea that everyone, regardless of gender, starts somewhere. Men often jump into Web3 without feeling like they need to be experts first, and women should feel just as empowered to do the same."
Alina concludes with a powerful insight: "At the end of the day, it's about leveling the playing field, not lowering the bar. Women don't need to be treated differently; they just need the same opportunities, respect, and confidence to succeed."
The women who shared their insights with us here bring different perspectives to Web3, each finding her own way in the space. Whether they work in foundations, startups, tech roles, or community-building, they all share a few things in common: a focus on solving problems, resilience in the face of challenges, and a desire to help others along the way.
Their stories show that you don’t need a specific background to succeed in Web3—just curiosity and persistence. As the space keeps evolving, these women and others like them are making Web3 a place that works for more people, proving that diversity makes the space stronger and more innovative.