Amanda Wick
Founder and CEO
Michelle O’Connor
Chief Strategic Officer
Yari Farias
Director of Operations
Amanda Wick
Founder and CEO
The Association's founder and chief executive officer is Amanda Wick, a former federal prosecutor and champion of women who believes that women in business and investing need an organization dedicated to enhancing their access – and success - in the predominantly male-dominated industries of cryptocurrency and other digital assets, blockchain, web3, and related technology and services.
During a distinguished career that includes roles as the Chief of Legal Affairs at Chainalysis, Inc., as a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and as a Senior Policy Advisor at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), she has learned firsthand that the playing field is not level for women in tech, and much more needs to be done to ensure their equal inclusion in the future of digital finance.
Ms. Wick and other women in crypto and crypto-adjacent ecosystems agree that a new support network of advisors, mentors and other professionals is needed to increase the inclusion and advancement of women in the cryptocurrency industry through mentoring/sponsor relationships, training, and educational programs.
They also believe that we need to increase women's awareness of, and participation in venture capital investment opportunities and increase access to investment and funding opportunities for women-owned and women-operated crypto and crypto-adjacent companies.
Ayana Murphy
Board Member
Beth Bisbee
Board Member
Gabriella Kusz
Board Member
Mike Carter
Board Member
Steve Vallas
Board Member
Steve Vallas
Board Member
Steve is a qualified lawyer and a seasoned strategist in the fields of blockchain technology and management. His early adoption of social channels, combined with a lifelong dedication to studying economics and emerging technologies, has uniquely positioned him to have a profound understanding of the evolving blockchain technology and its far-reaching impact across industries.
Currently holding the prestigious position of Managing Director at Blockchain APAC, he also serves as a Digital Assets advisor at Zerocap and contributes his expertise as an APAC advisor at the GDF Global Blockchain Business Council. Notably, he previously held the esteemed role of CEO at Blockchain Australia.
Throughout his career, his impact has played an instrumental role in shaping the digital assets landscape in Australia. He has actively engaged with key Australian regulators, including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Commonwealth Treasury, ACCC, AUSTRAC, and the Reserve Bank of Australia. His valuable insights have influenced Australian Senate hearings and advisory panels like the ASIC Digital Finance Advisory Panel and the Council of Financial Regulators.
His influence extends beyond Australia, as he collaborates with authorities in New Zealand, such as the Financial Services Council, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Department of Internal Affairs, and Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment.
Internationally, he has forged connections with esteemed institutions, including the US Federal Reserve and the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He is known for fostering partnerships and sharing knowledge with organizations like the German Ministry of Economics, APEC, Blockchain Ireland, and the South Korean National Assembly.
Steven is deeply committed to driving innovation and championing regulatory clarity within the digital asset ecosystem.