PR Blockchain Trade Association Flashcards
Alana Mediavilla:
* Current Role: Founder of Campo Libre, an independent film house focused on producing and distributing original intellectual property.
* Career: Award-winning filmmaker known for balancing creative storytelling with business acumen.
* Vision: Champions innovative narratives and diverse voices in the indie film industry.
* Impact: Her films have earned critical acclaim, positioning her as a rising force and trailblazer in the industry.
Andy Bryant:
* Current Role: Chief Strategy Officer at Horizen Labs, focusing on blockchain and Web3 strategies.
* Previous Experience: COO at bitFlyer (Japan’s largest bitcoin exchange); global COO at BDA Partners (M&A advisory); CEO of A.I. startup Suzu Technologies.
* Expertise: Extensive background in technology, finance, and blockchain, with a deep understanding of the Asian market.
* Education & Research: Studied robotics in Japan and authored award-winning research on decentralization.
* Language Skills: Fluent in Japanese, with a strong cross-cultural communication background.
Brandon Green:
* Current Role: Chief of Staff to the CEO and Head of Events at BTC Inc., overseeing global Bitcoin events.
* Career at BTC Inc.: Started as an intern in 2017, advancing through roles in operations, media, ticket sales, and programming for Bitcoin conferences.
* Board Role: Serves on the Board of Advisors for the University of Alabama, supporting professional development.
* Education: Holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alabama.
CJ Whisnant:
* Current Role: Tax Attorney at Tax Network USA, specializing in complex tax cases and cryptocurrency regulations.
* Expertise: Focused on helping clients navigate cryptocurrency taxation and ensuring compliance with tax laws.
* Experience: Formerly worked with a cryptocurrency exchange, gaining insights into the digital asset tax landscape.
* Goal: Helps individuals and businesses maximize financial outcomes while staying compliant with evolving tax regulations.
Cleve Mesidor:
* Current Role: Executive Director of the Blockchain Foundation; Mayor-appointed member of the DC Innovation and Technology Inclusion Council.
* Founder: National Policy Network of Women of Color in Blockchain, promoting diversity and equitable access in Web3.
* Experience: Former Obama Presidential Appointee with a background in public policy, economic development, and the Blockchain Association.
* Focus: Advocates for responsible blockchain innovation, addressing regulatory issues, and fostering inclusion in tech.
* Author & Contributor: Wrote The Clevolution and contributes to Forbes; featured in outlets like CNBC, NPR, and The New York Times.
* Leadership: A prominent voice in blockchain education, policy, and diversity advocacy.
Colin Jones:
* Current Role: Founder & Chief Investment Officer at Outerlands, focusing on systematic investing strategies for digital assets.
* Previous Experience: Head of Strategic Investments at Horizen Labs, specializing in blockchain investments, tokenomics, and managing both crypto and traditional investment portfolios.
* Academic Background: Former professor at the University of Notre Dame, Faculty Director of the Notre Dame Institute for Global Investing.
* Other Experience: Worked in startups, economic development, and venture capital.
* Education: Ph.D. in Finance from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from the College of William & Mary.
Cristina Pomales García:
* Current Role: Dean of the College of Engineering and Professor of Industrial Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez.
* Expertise: Focuses on engineering education, accreditation, and curriculum development, driving academic program reforms.
* Leadership: Serves as an ABET evaluator, ensuring high standards for engineering programs.
* Education: Holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Michigan.
Crystal Allen:
* Current Role: Chief Innovation Officer at LUMA Energy, leading digital transformation in Puerto Rico’s energy infrastructure.
* Focus: Guides innovation to enhance safety, efficiency, and resilience of the energy grid with a commitment to sustainability.
* Leadership: Drives advanced digital solutions to meet the unique needs of the island’s energy system and improve both workforce and customer experiences.
Deirdre Wheatley Liss:
* Current Role: Principal at Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C., focusing on wealth preservation, corporate law, and tax issues.
* Expertise: Advises business owners on start-up, financing, growth, exit strategies, and minimizing tax liabilities. Also handles director and officer liability, business succession, and break-ups.
* Education & Outreach: Frequent lecturer on business ownership, intellectual property, tax minimization, business succession, and cybersecurity.
* Core Practice: Protects clients’ wealth through estate planning, tax planning, elder law, long-term care protection, and special needs planning.
* Additional Role: Helps clients implement legal strategies to safeguard assets from taxes, lawsuits, and mis-management.
Don McGahn:
* Current Role: Partner at Jones Day, specializing in government regulation, high-stakes litigation, and federal investigations.
* Expertise: Advises on regulatory and enforcement matters; represents high-profile clients in Congressional hearings and investigations.
* White House Counsel: Served under President Trump (2017-2018), guiding constitutional, administrative, and national security legal matters. Played a key role in judicial nominations, including two Supreme Court appointments and a record number of federal judges, and led significant deregulation efforts.
* Federal Election Commission: Former Commissioner and Chairman, focusing on campaign finance law.
* General Counsel: Former General Counsel to the National Republican Congressional Committee, with expertise in political and election law.
* Recognition: Considered one of the most influential aides in recent presidential history for his impact on judicial appointments and policy.
Edgar Cruz:
* Current Role: Executive Director of Evolving Space, a nonprofit focused on workforce development through education in Web3, AI, and emerging technologies.
* Expertise: Mechanical engineer and MBA with experience in project management, marketing, and curriculum design.
* Key Initiatives: Led initiatives like the 2022 Web3 Bootcamp, Web3 Hackathons, OESTECH Hackfest 2024, and various seminars on emerging technologies.
* Focus: Works to empower talent, promote technology adoption, and bridge gaps in technology literacy, particularly in underserved communities in Puerto Rico.
* Leadership: Recognized for leadership in grassroots technology communities, with a strong understanding of regional challenges and bilingual communication skills.
Eliezer Fontanez:
* Artist Name: Eliezer Fontanez, also known as OWTLW.
* Specialty: Focuses on drawing and 3D conceptualization, reimagining Puerto Rican folklore with a modern twist.
* Mediums: Works across murals, exhibitions, products, and digital platforms, including the blockchain space.
* Vision: Explores the intersection of culture, technology, and creativity, making him a unique figure in contemporary Puerto Rican art.
Esteban Iglesias:
* Current Role: CEO and Founder of PaltaLabs, a Latin American development hub specializing in the Stellar Blockchain.
* Expertise: Focuses on decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions and blockchain innovation across Latin America.
* Education: Holds an MSc in Applied Economics from École Centrale Paris and a degree in Electrical Engineering from Universidad de Chile.
* Leadership: Combines technical knowledge with entrepreneurial vision to develop impactful blockchain solutions for businesses and communities in the region.
Giovanni Mendez:
* Current Role: Tax, Corporate, and Blockchain Attorney at GEO Tax, specializing in tax compliance, financial reporting, and regulatory matters.
* Expertise: Advises Fortune 500 companies, pharmaceuticals, telecom, financial services, e-commerce, and blockchain firms, as well as high net-worth individuals.
* Practice Areas: Includes tax-exempt and taxable operations, business structuring, transfer pricing, tax exemption decrees, and international income tax planning.
* Blockchain Involvement: Advisor and investor in the blockchain industry, contributing to Puerto Rico’s growth as a key investment destination for crypto.
* Qualifications: Admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar and U.S. Tax Court.
Hannah Rosenberg:
* Current Role: Developer Advocate at Lightning Labs, promoting blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.
* Background: Bitcoin and e-commerce web developer with a degree in economics from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
* Entrepreneurship: Founded Velas Commerce in 2014, merging technical expertise with a passion for alternative currencies.
* Community Engagement: Organized Chicago’s largest blockchain meetup for five years and taught blockchain courses at UIC.
* Early Adoption: Became a Bitcoin adopter in 2012 and has been an active advocate in the crypto space.
Jacob Hample:
* Current Role: Head of Government Affairs (U.S. and Europe) at the Filecoin Foundation.
* Responsibilities: Represents the foundation in Washington, D.C., Brussels, and London, focusing on educating lawmakers and regulators about decentralized web technologies and addressing blockchain regulation.
* Background: Early employee at the Blockchain Association, with experience in lobbying and government positions both in the U.S. and internationally.
* Mission: Drives awareness and adoption of decentralized technologies while advocating for regulatory clarity in the blockchain space.
Jill Williamson:
* Current Role: Principal at Porzio, Bromberg & Newman P.C., providing strategic legal advice across various industries.
* Expertise: Specializes in emerging technologies, including AI, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and esports, as well as general business law and compliance.
* Experience: Former senior executive at a Fortune 100 company and a mid-sized public company, with in-house experience advising on risk management, corporate governance, and transactional matters.
* Specialties: Handles internal investigations, government defense, anti-money laundering, export compliance, data privacy, and global cryptocurrency regulations.
* Web3 Involvement: Advising Web3 companies since 2017, leveraging deep industry expertise in blockchain and cryptocurrency compliance.
Jonathan Jachym:
* Current Role: Global Head of Policy & Government Relations at Kraken.
* Responsibilities: Leads Kraken’s engagement with government, regulatory, and industry stakeholders to shape policy for digital asset markets.
* Previous Experience: Over a decade in regulatory strategy and government relations at the London Stock Exchange Group and CME Group. Served as legal and regulatory counsel at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
* Education: BS from North Carolina State University and JD from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.
Juan Salgado:
* Current Role: Founder of Color Conspiracy Tattoo Gallery in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
* Tattoo Expertise: Renowned for his visionary style in color and black & grey tattoos, winning over 150 international awards and featured in top industry publications.
* NFT Ventures: Founder of the Tattoo Skullz Society, a collection of 5,000 unique NFTs, with utilities like raffle tickets, VIP sessions, tattoos, and artworks. His first NFT, “The Lotus Diamond,” sold for $32,000, a record for Puerto Rican digital art.
* Vision: Aims to empower Latino artists and disrupt traditional art by leveraging blockchain technology.
Kristal Gruevski:
* Current Role: Founder and General Counsel of Zivoe, a leader in consumer lending and FinTech innovation.
* Expertise: Specializes in regulatory strategy, risk management, capital formation, and legal operations.
* Achievements: Secured over $100 million in settlements and raised over $125 million in financing for consumer lending ventures.
* Track Record: Proven success in high-stakes litigation and ensuring compliance in evolving regulatory landscapes.
* Impact: Key figure at the intersection of law, finance, and technology, driving advancements in FinTech and blockchain sectors.
Lauren Benjamin:
* Current Role: Deputy Chief Compliance Officer / BSA Officer at Kraken’s US Operating Entity.
* Previous Experience: Held roles at Kraken since 2019, including CDD Sr. Manager, and previously worked as a Compliance Officer at Bank of the West and Union Bank (MUFG), focusing on policy development, risk assessments, and financial crime compliance.
* Education: Master of Arts in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS), and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.
* Certifications: Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (ACAMS), Certified Cryptoasset Anti-Financial Crime Specialist, and Chainalysis Reactor Certification.
* Expertise: Specializes in Global Financial Crime Compliance, anti-money laundering, and cryptoasset compliance.
Lindsay Poss:
* Current Role: Growth Marketing Manager at Stellar Development Foundation, supporting early-stage startups and developers within the Stellar ecosystem.
* Previous Experience: Ran her own consulting agency, advising on crypto infrastructure projects and blockchain strategy.
* Education: Holds an MS in Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University with expertise in technology policy.
* Podcast Host: Hosts the Seeking Alpha Podcast, exploring the personal and professional journeys in the crypto space.
* Advocacy: Passionate about thoughtful regulation and innovation in the blockchain industry.
Liz Isabelle:
* Current Role: Fashion Designer and NFT Creator, Founder of Piki.Style, a platform merging fashion with blockchain technology.
* Pioneering Achievement: Recognized as the first Puerto Rican NFT fashion designer.
* Mission: Helps creators elevate their work, especially in the NFT and Ordinals spaces.
* Innovation: Bridges the gap between traditional fashion and the digital world, empowering artists and designers to explore new creative avenues.
Luke Stokes:
* Current Role: Managing Director for the Foundation for Interwallet Operability.
* Blockchain Involvement: Passionate about voluntary governance systems; involved in Bitcoin since 2013, Hive blockchain since 2018, and eosDAC.
* Background: Co-founder of FoxyCart, a shopping cart software company, with a computer science degree from UPENN.
* Philosophy: Focused on using blockchain to create a better world; enjoys discussing philosophy, consciousness, voluntaryism, and love.
* Location: Resides in Puerto Rico with his family.
