Our
Staff
Amanda Wick
Founder and CEO
Michelle O’Connor
Chief Strategic Officer
Yari Farias
Director of Operations
Michelle O’Connor
Chief Strategic Officer
Michelle O'Connor is the Vice President of Brand & Communications at TaxBit, a prominent industry leader in tax and accounting for digital assets. With her expertise and passion, Michelle is a powerhouse that spearheads all marketing and public relations efforts to position TaxBit as a force to be reckoned with.
Michelle's impact extends far beyond her role at TaxBit. As the Expansion Chair at NYC Women in FinTech, she drives the growth and empowerment of women in the financial technology sector. Her commitment to fostering innovation led her to serve on the Board of Directors of Crypto Connect and the Blockchain Steering Committee of the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA), where she actively shapes the future of these emerging technologies.
Renowned as a seasoned speaker, Michelle captivates audiences with her deep knowledge and insights into the realms of crypto, web3, and fintech. Throughout her impressive 20-year career, she has graced numerous prestigious conferences, establishing herself as a subject matter expert in these cutting-edge fields.
A seasoned technology and financial services executive, Michelle is the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Global Communications at TaxBit. In this role, she leads all marketing and public relations to elevate TaxBit’s brand as an industry leader. Her team promotes an inclusive culture, driving engagement, and encouraging thought leadership and collaboration.
In addition to her role at TaxBit, Michelle is a well-known FinTech leader, Voted top 30 FinTech Marketer and Leading Web3 Executive.
She is passionate about improving access to financial services for the unbanked and has a proven track record of leading brand management, marketing communications, and community building in the FinTech space.
Before joining TaxBit, she was the VP of Marketing and Community at Uphold, a digital money platform. In that role, she developed and implemented the brand’s marketing strategy, brought cohesion and intention to the brand voice, and facilitated Uphold’s online community. She also managed public relations, content marketing and development, and social media strategy.
Michelle is also the Expansion Chair of NYC FinTech Women, a founding member of the Association Women in Crypto member, advisor for The Financial Club and Blockchain steering committee of WTIA.
Our
Board
Ayana Murphy
Board Member
Beth Bisbee
Board Member
Gabriella Kusz
Board Member
Mike Carter
Board Member
Steve Vallas
Board Member
Ayana Murphy
Board Member
Ayana Murphy has a varied and extensive background in the field of Anti Financial Crime, spanning over a decade of experience with a focus on compliance, risk management, and regulatory oversight. She currently holds a position as Director, Global Advisory at Refine Intelligence. Prior to her work at Refine Intelligence, she held the position of Managing Director at Ankura Consulting in New York, where she advised on the developing and enhancing financial crimes compliance programs for a wide range of institutions, from traditional banks to digital assets providers and cryptocurrency platforms. Ayana has a deep interest in knowledge sharing and mentorship, contributing to the career development for earlier in career individuals in multiple roles throughout her career.
Before joining Ankura Consulting, Ayana worked as an AML Consultant for various international financial institutions, honing her expertise in BSA/AML compliance, KYC, CDD, independent testing, transaction monitoring, and sanctions. She also held positions at Royal Bank of Scotland and UBS Financial Services, gaining experience in money laundering investigations and sales practice compliance. Her commitment to blockchain and cryptocurrency is further underscored by her involvement in the Association of Women in Cryptocurrency, as well as her recent certifications in cryptocurrency forensics and Metaverse economy.
In addition to their extensive professional experience, Ayana holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from New York University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English Language and Literature from the University of Chicago. She has also actively contributed to the industry through speaking engagements and publications, sharing their insights and expertise on cryptocurrency, blockchain, and financial crimes.
Our
Ambassadors
