When you have a technology that’s only 10 years old, women and underrepresented minorities have the chance to change this corner of the tech industry.
The Empowering Guide for Women in Tech in 2022 - What You Can Do to Help Women Rise in Tech
Mahi Sall, Advisor, Fintech-Bank Partnerships, Payments and Financial Inclusivity
January 25th, 2023
Mahi Sall is the CEO & Founder of FinXpair, a Berlin-based strategic advisory boutique firm focu[...]
Meet the women who are making sure blockchain is inclusive
FastCompany | By Lydia Dishman | Sep 20, 2018
When you have a technology that’s only 10 years old, women and underrepresented minorities have the chance to change this corner of the tech industry.
Yael Rozencwajg recently had an experience that was unusual for a woman in tech. Speaking at a conference for executives in the blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) space, Rozencwajg found herself explaining the digital ledger system that forms the basis of blockchain technology to about 200 people, most of whom were white, male CEOs. “There was a lot they didn’t know,” the founder of startup Blockchain Israel tells Fast Company.
The difference was that the audience was respectful and deferential, despite the prevailing reality that when women are outnumbered in a work setting like this, several studies show that they are talked over, interrupted, or simply ignored.
Rozencwajg chalks it up to the relative newness of the blockchain space. The technology is only 10 years old and was initially used to record bitcoin transactions. But its applications have since moved from solely recording bitcoin and other digital currency transfers to smart contracts and other transactions that need the security that an immutable record can provide. These applications are so new, in fact, that at another event, Rozencwajg spotted an error on a fellow presenter’s slide deck about smart contracts and was able to help him correct it before he delivered it to the group.
Although Rozencwajg admits she’s not afraid to speak up, even when she’s the only woman in the group, she’s gotten plenty of pushback over the years that she’s worked in technology. Not this time.
“There’s an acceptance that women know their stuff,” she asserts. The newness, she explains, “puts all of us on the same level.”
The related world of cryptocurrency roils with tales of “blockchain bros.” A recent Bitcoin Conference featured just three women out of 88 speakers. Another held official conference parties at strip clubs. Yet despite the overall lopsided gender balance in crypto, according to some measures, blockchain itself–while it also tilts toward being dominated by men– events like those at SXSW this year show that it’s emerging as a space where women can get in early and change the ratio.
Not as risky as it seems
The barriers to entry are mostly about perception, according to Emilie Choi. The former vice president and head of corporate development at LinkedIn joined Coinbase in March 2018, moving from the professional networking platform’s staff of over 13,000 to a startup with less than 500. “It is intimidating for outsiders to think about the crypto world,” she says. Not only that it’s a man’s world, Choi explains, but that media coverage around price volatility of virtual currency, “and the antics of certain personalities,” reinforce the crypto/blockchain bro myth versus reality. This Choi states, is “erroneous.”
See: Slowly but surely, women are changing fintech
At Coinbase, she says there’s a more inclusive culture than other places she’s worked. Although Choi admits the learning curve was steep early on, there was no shortage of experienced people on staff to help her get up to speed. Additionally, she notes, the executive team at Coinbase is 1/3 female. On making the leap from the more established LinkedIn, Choi maintains, “I wanted another once-in-a-lifetime experience at a tech company.” That said, she admits, “The whole goal is to serve a diverse base. If I’d known [how inclusive Coinbase was inside and out], I would have jumped in faster.”
Potential in democratization
That’s precisely what drew attorney Paroma Indilo to work with blockchain companies. A lawyer specializing in advising companies on initial coin offerings (ICO), she started getting involved two years ago after attending a conference and dipping a toe into investing in bitcoin and ethereum. “As a lawyer, I am a bit risk-averse,” she admits. But she said she spent a lot of time reading about it and learned that the blockchain technology underpinning cryptocurrencies “had the potential to change the world economy for the better.”
The way Indilo sees it, it’s similar to the promise of the internet where everyone with access had the chance to be a participant. However, that democratization wasn’t totally realized as areas with limited access prohibited participation and the growth of large tech companies. The data created on the internet is a “huge asset essentially owned by few companies use for their own benefit,” she says. “We don’t even understand why they are doing certain things, and in many cases they hugely undermine privacy.”
But blockchain can deliver on that promise. Simply being able to send and receive money in a secure, transparent way has huge implications for both the banked and unbanked populations of the world. And it’s not just about money, Indilo contends. Opu Labs is a skincare web application built on the blockchain. It allows users to scan their faces and get analysis on skin conditions. Not only is this very personal information secure and unable to be tampered with, Indilo points out that people are getting paid to get something valuable. The platform pays you if they are sending your data to a dermatologist, but the choice is yours to share your data.
How to bring in more women?
Coming from a career culture steeped in the traditional bureaucracy and hierarchy, this approach was refreshing to Indilo. “For too long I felt like I wasn’t doing anything meaningful,” she confesses. Now, she says, she’s a passionate advocate to get more women into the mix. She’s tried to educate friends and family as well as her professional networks on the opportunities in blockchain, but Indilo says that sometimes all it takes is pointing out that she’s often the only woman in a group of men at startups. “Their consideration was on more important things like funding and skills, they aren’t thinking about gender discrepancy,” Indilo says. “But it just needs to go hand and in hand with educating the industry.”
See: FINTECH FRIDAY$ (EP.3-Aug 3): Investing in Canadian Diversity with Peggy Van De Plassche, Founding Partner at Roar Ventures
Education is the primary challenge according to Susan Joseph, a cofounder and the executive director of Diversity in Blockchain. She believes the blockchain space is a reflection of the larger tech industry when it comes to gender imbalance, and that is because of lack of knowledge.
“People think they can’t do it,” Joseph contends, because it is considered a “tech” job. “You don’t need a university program in computer science,” she says. “What you need is curiosity and the ability to sift through public information.” There is plenty to do beyond coding, says Joseph, who is an attorney by trade.
She says those currently in the industry are willing to educate others and share their knowledge as long as someone asks. To encourage more women and underrepresented minorities to hop aboard the blockchain wagon, the organization is also hosting events like the one in which they partnered with the U.N.
Continue to the full article --> here
The Empowering Guide for Women in Tech in 2022 - What You Can Do to Help Women Rise in Tech
1. Graduate More Women With Computer Science Degrees and Certifications
Elementary and middle schools need to play a big role in this shift. By high school and college, many girls have already formed their opinions of both the tech field and their own ability. Here are five things schools can do to help encourage girls to build an interest in entering the tech industry:
- Make technology a required course in middle school.
- Add computer programming instruction in elementary school.
- Make sure Career Days and parent speakers include women in tech.
- Educate teachers on unconscious bias against girls in regards to math and technology.
- Offer a technology/computer club for girls.
See: 2021 Powerlist: Women in Fintech
But efforts need to expand beyond the classroom. A single comment by an adult, even a neighbor or family member, can encourage (or discourage) a girl from going into a STEM field. Every person who interacts with girls should make an effort to do the following:
- Actively encourage any interest in technology.
- Share about female friends and family in the tech field.
- If you work in the tech field, offer to give a tour or bring young girls to an event at your work.
- Mention technology when asking what they want to be when they grow up.
- When talking about school, ask if they are taking computer or technology courses.
2. Ensure Women Earn Promotions at Comparable Rates as Men
The solutions to this problem aren’t new and earth-shattering ideas. Really, it’s making sure that basic best practices are in place and followed. It comes down to transparency, training, and communication throughout the process.
See: Work Trends: Employees Feel the Opposite but the ‘Data doesn’t lie’ | Women Leaving Companies at Highest Rate Ever
Here are key ways to change the tech sector promotion process:
- Be clear about career paths. This information should be transparent and made available to all employees. It should include the specific skills/experiences that are required to move up the ladder.
- Help individuals achieve their goals. Create a personalized career path for each employee based on their own strengths and goals. Have employees update the path with their manager on a regular basis.
- Develop a mentoring program for women in the tech industry. This should include training for the mentors to help guide their mentees through meeting their career goals.
- Offer leadership training to high-performing employees to help meet skills gaps. Instead of requiring nominations or women to sign up, have managers specifically ask all employees individually about their interest in participating. Many women wait to be asked for leadership training opportunities. You should also hold managers accountable for training and promotion rates based on gender.
3. Revamping the Recruiting & Hiring Process to Attract and Hire Women
Here are three ways to use benefits to encourage women to consider and apply for tech jobs:
See: Why is venture capital still ignoring women? The case for investing is clear.
- Include women in the interview process. I know I never wanted to ask a male interviewer about flexibility, and I’d be more likely to voice this question with a female.
- Highlight flexibility options and work-life balance. Women (and men) often research a company’s benefits before applying and may not want to ask this question during an interview, so make sure it’s included on your website.
- Feature women in tech positions on your Careers page. You should also consider having female employees share their experiences, particularly when it comes to work-life balance benefits.
Continue to the full article --> here
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain and cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Crypto Tax | Nov 29, 2023 The Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) Has Clarified That Crypto Deposits on Trading Platforms May Trigger Taxes As deftly summarized in this November 2023 client update article from Goodman's LLP, the CRA suggests that: A client holding cryptocurrency through a centralized Crypto Trading Platform (CTP) may not actually own the cryptocurrency for Canadian income tax purposes. Depositing cryptocurrency with a trading and lending platform could be considered a disposition for Canadian tax purposes, making it a taxable event for the client. Notes The CRA's response was based on two specific questions. The first question involved a Canadian taxpayer who lost bitcoin due to fraud on a platform. The CRA's response highlighted the need to determine the nature of ownership and the platform's liability in such cases. The loss's tax treatment depends on whether the cryptocurrency was held as a business or as a capital investment and the contractual relationship between the taxpayer and the CTP. See: Proposed Changes to Crypto Mining GST/HST Rules: What’s Capture and What’s Not? The second question addressed the tax implications when a taxpayer transfers bitcoin to a platform offering a return, payable in bitcoin. The CRA concluded that such a ...
Canadian Payments Regulation | Nov 30, 2023 New Retail Payments Regulatory Framework On November 28, 2023, Ron Morrow, the Executive Director – Supervision at the Bank of Canada delivered a speech about the new Retail Payments Activities Act in Canada at the Central 1 Momentum Summit in Vancouver, BC. See: Canada’s New Retail Payment Regulations: Registration and Compliance Passed in the summer of 2021, the new Retail Payment Activities Act in Canada is a major shift in the supervision of retail payments, expanding the oversight of the Bank of Canada to include a broader range of Payment Service Providers (PSPs), many of which were previously not subject to supervision beyond anti-money laundering regulations. The Bank of Canada is focused on managing risks associated with payment activities. The robustness of national payment systems and rigorous supervisory roles of central banks have increased, especially after events like the Herstatt Bank failure in 1974 and the 2008-09 financial crisis. Registration and Compliance Under the new regime, PSPs are required to register with the Bank of Canada and comply with minimum standards for managing operational risks and safeguarding end-user funds. This includes separating end-user funds from operating funds and ensuring their protection through trust, ...
Investing | Nov 29, 2023 Reflecting on Charles T. Munger who passed away yesterday at the age of 99 in Santa Barbara, California Charles Thomas Munger (January 1, 1924 – November 28, 2023) The recent passing of Charlie Munger, the esteemed vice-chairman of Berkshire Hathaway (and billionaire), marks the end of an era in the investment world. As reported by The New York Times, Munger's influence extended beyond investment strategies to shaping the very culture of Berkshire Hathaway. His emphasis on integrity, patience, and rational decision-making are principles that fintechs and investors can adopt for long-term success. Born in Omaha in 1924, Munger served in the Army Air Corps and later graduated from Harvard Law School. He practiced law before shifting to investing, where he made his first million dollars. Munger was also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in architecture, donating millions to university projects. He was active in Berkshire Hathaway into his 90s and served as chairman of Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles. Despite being overshadowed by Warren Buffett, Munger's influence at Berkshire Hathaway was significant. He was known as the originator of the company's investing approach, shifting Buffett's strategy from buying undervalued companies to investing in ...
Canadian Digital Dollar | Nov 29, 2023 Bank of Canada Publishes Stakeholder Feedback on The Canadian Digital Dollar Initiative Since 2020, the Bank of Canada has actively engaged with Canadians and stakeholders to gather insights on the digital Canadian dollar. This has included diverse discussions with the financial sector, focus groups, civil society groups, and an online public questionnaire. The Bank of Canada's report, "A Digital Canadian Dollar: What we heard 2020–23 and what comes next", provides a feedback lens across several themes. Key Feedback Themes There's a shared interest in accessibility and financial inclusion ensuring that the digital dollar caters to underserved communities, with a focus on making it accessible without stringent identification requirements. This approach aims to bridge gaps in current digital payment offerings and promote universal access. Stakeholders emphasized the importance and concerns of privacy, advocating for a digital currency that offers the anonymity of banknotes. The public expressed strong reservations about sharing personal information and the potential overreach of privacy laws. See: Bank of Canada Publishes Staff Paper on ‘Unmet Payment Needs and CBDCs The importance of maintaining access to physical currency was highlighted, with suggestions to mandate merchant acceptance of banknotes to support marginalized communities ...
Regulation | Nov 29, 2023 Elon Musk and Mark Cuban Support Legal Challenge Against SEC's In-House Judges Elon Musk and Mark Cuban are backing hedge-fund manager George Jarkesy in a significant legal battle against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This case, now before the US Supreme Court, questions the SEC's use of in-house judges for imposing penalties. Jarkesy's argument, supported by Musk and Cuban, is centered on the constitutional right of defendants in SEC cases to have a jury trial. This challenge could reshape how the SEC and potentially other regulatory bodies like the Federal Trade Commission conduct their enforcement actions. The Problems with Conflicts and Power Imbalance The problem with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) using in-house judges primarily revolves around concerns of fairness, constitutional rights, and the balance of power in regulatory enforcement. Here are some key points of contention: The central issue is the SEC's ability to bring cases before its own administrative law judges (ALJs) instead of federal courts. Critics argue that this denies defendants the constitutional right to a jury trial, which is seen as a fundamental aspect of the American legal system. There's a perception that in-house judges may be biased in ...
Nov 29, 2023 Nowadays environmental concerns have reached critical levels, that’s why sustainable construction practices have emerged as a beacon of hope. These practices not only help protect our planet but also offer numerous advantages to homeowners and builders alike. In this article, we will dig into the methods and merits of sustainable construction. Methods of Sustainable Construction Here are some key principles and methods integral to sustainable construction: 1. Energy Efficiency One of the foundational pillars of sustainable construction is ensuring that homes are constructed with energy efficiency and environmental sustainability at their core. This is where the auditing platform for home renovation grants comes into play. Such platforms provide valuable resources and support to homeowners and builders who are committed to accessing grants and incentives for sustainable construction projects. Sustainable construction places a strong emphasis on optimizing energy usage. Lighting serves as a crucial component of any building, and the choice of lighting fixtures holds the potential to dramatically impact energy efficiency. LED lights have emerged as the go-to choice for sustainable construction due to their myriad of benefits. LED lights are remarkably energy-efficient, consuming significantly less electricity compared to traditional incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. This substantial reduction ...
AI | Nov 29, 2023 Amazon has recently unveiled 'Q', an innovative AI-powered chatbot designed for businesses operations offering tailored solutions and advice Q was announced at Amazon’s re:Invent conference in Las Vegas, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize how businesses interact with AI technology and is trained on 17 years of AWS knowledge, offering tailored solutions and advice for a wide range of business queries. It's priced at $20 per user per year and currently in public preview and can be integrated with various business-specific applications like Salesforce, Jira, Zendesk, and Gmail, allowing it to learn and adapt to a company's unique structure and needs. Highlights The chatbot has advanced analytical capabilities and can analyze business data to identify customer pain points and suggest improvements, drawing from its extensive database and business-specific information. Beyond answering questions, Q can generate content like blog posts and emails, and execute tasks such as creating service tickets and updating dashboards, enhancing business efficiency. See: Amazon’s Anthropic Investment Shaping Future Job Landscape Q is designed with a strong emphasis on security and privacy, ensuring that it only accesses and provides information that the user is authorized to see, addressing potential concerns about data privacy and ...
NCFA Member Innovation Spotlight | Nov 28, 2023 ReliablyME launches an AI-powered Accountability Coach GPT blending ancient philosophical wisdom and modern AI technology to offer a unique approach to personal and professional development. The ReliablyME Accountability Coach GPT is now accessible through ChatGPT Plus. The tool is designed for a wide range of users, including professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and anyone interested in disciplined goal-setting and ethical practices. It stands out as an accessible, flexible, and cost-effective coaching solution. Founded in 2018, ReliablyME has been committed to delivering innovative and effective coaching solutions. With its focus on ethical and balanced growth, the company continues to be a leader in developing tools and resources that empower individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. Example Use Cases 1. Setting and Achieving Personal Goals Users seek assistance in defining clear, achievable objectives using the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) framework. This often involves exploring personal or professional goals, such as improving productivity, pursuing a new skill, or achieving a specific fitness target. Accountability Coach GPT guides users in formulating these goals in a manner that is aligned with Stoic principles of focusing on what is within their control and Taoist concepts of ...
Bitcoin Mining | Nov 28, 2023 Bitfarms Ltd., a Canadian-based and publicly traded on NASDAQ and TSX, a leading global bitcoin mining company, recently announced a significant upgrade to its mining operations to boost the company's operational capacity and efficiency. The upgrade involves the acquisition of 35,888 Bitmain T21 miners, with an option for an additional 28,000 units, potentially elevating Bitfarms' operational capacity to an impressive 17 EH/s and 391 MW by the second half of 2024. See: One of Biggest Bitcoin Mining Firms in Canada, Bitfarms, to Adjust HOLD Strategy Last week, Bitfarms announced a $60 million Canadian private placement with U.S. institutional investors with the net proceeds from this private placement earmarked for the acquisition of new miners, expansion of infrastructure, and enhancement of the company's working capital. Bitfarms' purchase of 35,888 Bitmain T21 miners, priced at $2,660 each, enables unparalleled efficiency and mining power. This upgrade aligns with the upcoming bitcoin halving in April 2024, an event that typically triggers increased market activity and valuation fluctuations. The new T21 miners boast a highly efficient 3 Phase 415v PSU and High Energy Mode, aligning with global shifts towards sustainable mining practices. Third Quarter 2023 Results Bitfarms Ltd.'s financial ...
Crypto | Nov 28, 2023 Ex-Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao Faces Up to 10 Years in Prison Amid Bank Secrecy Act Violations Changpeng Zhao, the former CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, is currently facing a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years. This development follows his guilty plea for violating the Bank Secrecy Act. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has expressed frustration over Zhao's permission to reside in the UAE until his sentencing, considering his billionaire status and the UAE's lack of an extradition treaty with the U.S. See: SEC Files Lawsuit and Accuses Kraken of Commingling Key Points Zhao has been charged by the DOJ for violating the Bank Secrecy Act, with the prosecution possibly arguing for a maximum 10-year term. This is a significant increase from the initially anticipated 12-18 month sentence. Binance has agreed to pay a massive $4.3 billion fine, marking one of the largest enforcement actions against a crypto platform. Zhao himself was personally fined $50 million. Attorneys for Zhao, a dual citizen of Canada and the UAE, submitted a motion last Thursday to the Western District of Washington in Seattle. They argued that Zhao is not a flight risk, emphasizing his voluntary appearance ...
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