Happy International Women’s Day! There are a lot of women in Web3 who are driving incredible change and making their mark. This year we reached out to some of these remarkable women to learn about how they got into Web3, the tools they rely on, and just general advice for getting into and thriving in Web3. Whether you’re crypto-curious or have been in the game since the early days, we bet you’ll find some nuggets of wisdom that resonate.
Nidhi Soni, Strategic Initiatives Lead at Shardeum, traced her journey back to an article she read about digital money in 2016. Ashley Duncan — aka ‘AshleyDCan’ — Content Creator at Rug Radio, got hooked on crypto and NFTs in 2021. Elizabeth Olson, Head of Growth at Xverse, discovered the potential of Web3 through her work at high-end auction house Sotheby’s, while Lisa, a SuperRare NFT artist, was drawn in by the creative possibilities of digital graffiti. These are just some of the women you’ll hear from in this piece.
While their journeys to Web3 followed different paths, these women share a belief in Web3's potential to challenge existing structures and common goals: to create and seize new opportunities and shape a more inclusive future.
For these pioneering women, a common spark ignited their passion for Web3: a growing curiosity about the technology's potential.
"I read an article about digital money in early 2016 and there were only 3 coins then, BTC, ETH and LTC. We only had ZebPay in India then, so I interacted and then mostly forgot about this until 2021 at the time of the bull market. I started reading white papers and learnt about the underlying tech, and this piqued my interest to get into web3 full time."
NIDHI SONI
Strategic Initiatives Lead
Shardeum
"I bought Doge back in 2018 and when it started mooning in 2021 I was immediately addicted to crypto. I got gifted a Doge Pound NFT back in June 2021 and first ignited my interest in NFTs. I then made my own NFT collection and got fully immersed into everything Web3!"
ASHLEYDCAN
Content Creator
Rug Radio
"My exposure to Web3 began in the luxury sector as the Marketing Lead for Sotheby's auctions in New York. This was during the ConstitutionDAO’s bold bid for the US Constitution and the launch of the first virtual gallery in the Metaverse for NFTs. Crypto had gone corporate, the market cap was approaching two trillion, and Web3 was moving and growing every week. I knew I wanted to get directly involved as soon as possible to learn and have an impact on shaping the future.
I was eventually approached by a recruiter, becoming Head of Growth at Xverse right at the tail-end of the bull market in May 2022. There's a great quote from Sheryl Sandberg's book Lean In: "If you're offered a seat on a rocket, don't ask what seat! Just get on."
ELIZABETH OLSON
Head of Growth
XVerse
"I first heard that you could do digital graffiti at the end of 2020—yes, that is how it was presented to me—and it was said to be really punk rock and sort of a new art movement."
LISA FOGARTY
NFT Artist
SuperRare
When I was in college at Wellesley and MIT, kids were making thousands of dollars mining in their dorm room, hiking the dorm’s electric bills. I remember thinking, what are they mining? What is this? And came across the Satoshi White Paper.
Once I moved to New York shortly after the pandemic, my sister and I started attending crypto events. I loved the energy and innovation but was constantly disappointed to be one of few women there. So, my sister and I started Bubble DAO with a mission of bringing more women and underrepresented minorities into Web3. We would host mixers, workshops, Twitter Spaces, and large-scale events almost every other week in NYC. This grew my community and network, leading me to jump full-time into Web3 as Chief BD at Match Chain.
JESSIE XIAO
Co-founder
Bubble DAO
Starting your Web3 journey can feel daunting, but you're not alone. Helpful advice from some of the women we interviewed:
In the rapidly evolving world of Web3, continuous learning is essential. Things are changing all the time.
"Be ready to spend a few dollars, and learn by engaging with wallets, layers, networks and more. Use YouTube videos to get started and then dive deeper by reading docs and whitepapers. Be active on Twitter, Telegram, and Discord to stay updated and follow people who you can learn from."
NIDHI SONI
Strategic Initiatives Lead
Shardeum
"Embrace curiosity, continuous learning, and community engagement. Don't be afraid to dive into new technologies and explore different facets of the industry. Seek out mentorship, join communities, and amplify your voice by contributing to open-source projects or sharing your knowledge through blogs, podcasts, or speaking engagements. Remember, diversity drives innovation, and your unique perspective is invaluable in shaping the future of this industry."
My most extensive advice is to focus on your ideas and passion and rely on technology. It is very important not to get overwhelmed or frustrated by the beautiful technical details of Web3 and blockchains if you are not inside the tech builders' circle.
Look at use cases, understand the technology's capabilities, and let the tech teams support you in generating new business ideas and products. In the short term, every business will be a tech business with you in or out of the game.
Everyone is in a new phase and must learn from the beginning. So, more than ever, you can be comfortable learning, asking questions, and figuring out what you will create.
DEBORA CARRIZO
CEO
R3al Blocks
Building a strong network and collaborating with others is crucial in Web3.
"Don't be afraid to ask for help from your male counterparts. Obviously, other women would be helpful, but it's a male-dominated space, and in order to fully integrate, I think getting on that same level with the boys is absolutely crucial while maintaining your own value as a woman. If we want to play with the boys, we REALLY have to play.
Treating ourselves as separate in this space will make things much harder. Things have gotten immensely better for women in this space, and the more we help them help us, I think the better it will continue to get. Surround yourself with high-value men and women who are looking to elevate themselves and match your drive and energy."
ASHLEYDCAN
Content Creator
Rug Radio
“My advice to aspiring women in tech and Web3 is to embrace curiosity, continuous learning, and community engagement. Don't be afraid to dive into new technologies and explore different facets of the industry. Seek out mentorship, join communities, and amplify your voice by contributing to open-source projects or sharing your knowledge through blogs, podcasts, or speaking engagements. Remember, diversity drives innovation, and your unique perspective is invaluable in shaping the future of this industry.”
When starting your Web3 career, identify and leverage your unique skills and passions.
“Put effort into the things you do best - if you're good at public speaking, then do Spaces, if you're good at marketing, then focus on that… Don't fall into the trap of trying to do things that you know you suck at."
LISA FOGARTY
NFT Artist
SuperRare
"There's a lot of opportunity here, and it's a space where doors open. Currently, crypto ownership rates are less than five percent worldwide. If we're here for global adoption, we are going to need a lot more talent, which means a lot more opportunity to empower more women to join the space.
There are many resources out there to get up-to-speed and women-empowering DAOs like H.E.R. and Boys Club. And when you make it, actively support other women to follow your steps. I only wish I had gotten into Web3 sooner."
ELIZABETH OLSON
Head of Growth
Xverse
"Go for it! Don't let anything stop you. Learn as much as you can, network, persevere when it feels like things are tough, and find what you're great at and that you love and chase it down. I think that goes for just about anything, but certainly applicable to Web3 and Tech."
"Definitely keep an eye out on Web3 job postings; I think getting working experience at a Web3 protocol or startup is super valuable. Also, be an active participant in the community. I know it can seem intimidating, but it's really nice to not feel like you're alone because the space can be lonely sometimes. It's really good to have a group of folks that you can rely on and bounce ideas off of who are spending the same amount of time in the space as you."
JENN
Founder
Remint Reality
"Historically, women have rarely had the opportunity to contribute to the design and development of transformative technologies. This is one such opportunity. Embrace it, and don't shy away, especially when confronted with the challenges of being a woman in this industry.
Crypto involves a lot of intricate, specialized technical information. It's also characterized by tribalism, polarization, a culture coded in 4-chan lingo, and rampant financial speculation. A steady stream of negative news headlines and skepticism from the outside world often adds to this, sometimes even casting personal character judgments. These factors can be intimidating, potentially deterring some women from feeling suitable for this space or from becoming involved.
Worse yet, the intimidating aspects of crypto and its steep learning curve can sometimes discourage even the most curious, motivated, and intelligent women. Don't succumb to the fear of learning, making mistakes, or being wrong. Have confidence in your voice, contributions, and opinions. Surround yourself with people who challenge and empower you. Pursue your work relentlessly and never lose sight of the bigger picture."
PARKER JAY-PACHIRAT
Founding Team Member
Boys Club
"Network, network, network! It doesn’t matter if you are a builder, artist, investor, or anything in between. The crypto community is still relatively small and connected with very inspiring women in the space. You never know what opportunities you’ll come across through word-of-mouth or mentors you’ll meet. If you ever need my help, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter, and I’m happy to show you the ropes!
By embracing these ideas and leaning on the support of the Web3 community, newcomers can navigate the challenges and opportunities. Remember, every trailblazer started somewhere, and by following in their footsteps and forging your own path, you too can make a lasting impact."
JESSIE XIAO
Co-founder
Bubble DAO
Navigating the exciting but sometimes complex world of Web3 can be much easier when you have the right tools. The women making their mark in this space rely on a variety of platforms and apps to save time, boost productivity, and stay connected with the Web3 community.
We asked some of these trailblazers about the tools and platforms they find essential to their day-to-day work in Web3. Jenn shared, "I am a Notion maxi and Google Calendar maxi. Telegram, X, Discord, and Farcaster are all key places for info. And I have Wallet Guard as a safety measure for pretty much all my Web3 transactions."
Sara echoed the importance of staying connected across multiple platforms: "Oh man, there are so many. I think the most important in my day are generally Google Calendar, Gmail, ChatGPT, followed by X, Discord, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Basically, I'm on everything, everywhere, all at once."
Parker highlighted the significance of analytics and wallet management tools: "Dune Analytics, Discord, TokenTerminal, MetaMask, Rainbow Wallet, Coinbase Wallet, Telegram, and Twitter."
These insights reveal a common thread among women in Web3: the need for a diverse range of tools to stay connected, productive, and informed.
Some of the essential categories include:
By leveraging these tools and platforms, women in Web3 are driving innovation, building communities, and shaping the future.
As we reflect on the incredible journeys and accomplishments of women in Web3, it's clear that their impact extends far beyond Web3; they're creating a more inclusive, equitable, and empowering future for all.
But the work is far from finished. As we celebrate the progress made, we should also recognize the challenges that remain. Women still face barriers and biases in the tech industry, and there's a pressing need for greater diversity and representation. Let's take inspiration from the women who have paved the way and commit ourselves to building a Web3 world that truly reflects our values of inclusivity, transparency, and empowerment.
We’re excited for a future that celebrates diversity, champions innovation, and empowers more women to reach their fullest potential in Web3.