Rising Women in Web3: Top 7 Female Leaders Transforming Cryptocurrency

In the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency landscape, representation matters. Recent years have witnessed remarkable women stepping into leadership roles across the Web3 ecosystem, from developing innovative protocols to founding groundbreaking firms. Here's a spotlight on seven exceptional female leaders who are reshaping the digital asset space through their vision and expertise.

1. Gabriella M. Kusz, CEO of Global DCA

The Global Digital Asset & Cryptocurrency Association (Global DCA) serves as a self-regulatory organization for the digital asset industry, establishing frameworks that guide blockchain technology development within appropriate regulatory boundaries.

Gabriella M. Kusz began her crypto journey in 2019 as an industry advisor before transitioning to a consultant role at Global DCA. Her leadership trajectory saw her progress to board membership and ultimately to her current CEO position.

Under her guidance, Global DCA has achieved significant milestones:

• Built a membership network exceeding 80 firms across small, medium, and enterprise-level entities
• Authored more than 10 policy responses and formal comment letters
• Conducted over 100 meetings at Capitol Hill, the U.S. seat of government
• Developed diverse stakeholder engagement across the digital asset ecosystem

2. Lisa Loud, FLUIDEFI Co-Founder and CEO

FLUIDEFI operates as a cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform designed specifically for professional investors and financial institutions managing digital assets. The platform facilitates efficient trading, transfer, and monitoring of cryptocurrency assets and liquidity pools.

As founder and CEO, Lisa Loud brings extensive experience from her leadership roles in engineering, marketing, and international expansion at prominent companies including ShapeShift, Apple, Oracle, Intuit, and PayPal.

A recognized FinTech influencer, Lisa frequently shares insights on:

• Blockchain practical applications
• Emerging cryptocurrency trends
• Decentralized finance (DeFi) innovations
• NFT developments
• Financial inclusion initiatives
• Women's empowerment in finance and technology

Her current professional mission focuses on accelerating DeFi adoption by creating sophisticated tools that meet the needs of institutional investors and professional traders.

3. Tavonia Evans, Founder of GuapCoin

GuapCoin represents a pioneering cryptocurrency specifically created to amplify economic empowerment within the Black Community. Tavonia Evans established this innovative digital asset after identifying blockchain's potential for boosting economic growth and financial independence.

Since entering the blockchain space in 2016, she has earned recognition as one of the first Black women to create and serve as chief engineer of a cryptocurrency designed with this purpose. With over two decades of technology expertise, Tavonia identifies as a "mother entrepreneur" balancing business leadership with family responsibilities.

Her entrepreneurial portfolio also includes co-founding Safe2meet, an innovative peer-to-peer reputation platform enhancing trust in digital interactions.

4. Leanne Holder, CEO of Giving to Services

Giving To Services stands at the intersection of cryptocurrency and philanthropy, offering a unique digital asset and staking platform specifically designed to support public service professionals. The platform's core mission revolves around recognizing and providing financial rewards to civil service workers.

After serving two years as Head of Partnerships, Leanne Holder advanced to the CEO position at Giving to Services. Her leadership is particularly notable as she is among the few female CEOs in the cryptocurrency sector and directs an all-male team.

At just 29 years old, Leanne holds the distinction of being one of the youngest—if not the youngest—crypto CEOs globally, bringing fresh perspectives to blockchain innovation.

5. Lisa Francoeur, Co-Founder of Crypto Tutors

Lisa Francoeur co-founded Crypto Tutors, an educational platform leveraging e-learning, personalized instruction, and educational entertainment to empower underrepresented groups in the cryptocurrency space. Her work has earned her the nickname "Oprah of Technology" as she pursues her vision of "Scaling empowerment globally."

As a decorated blockchain technologist and self-described futurist, Lisa has conducted interviews with numerous technology thought leaders, covering topics from:

• Building multi-billion dollar organizations
• Increasing diversity representation in Web3
• Elevating Black and Hispanic professionals to leadership positions

Her expertise in blockchain technology is complemented by her previous work at the National Science Foundation, bringing valuable research insights to her educational initiatives.

6. Elizabeth Stark, CEO of Lightning Labs

Lightning Labs is developing crucial infrastructure enabling near-instantaneous, low-cost monetary transfers worldwide across the Bitcoin (BTC) network. As co-founder and CEO, Elizabeth Stark leads this initiative to scale Bitcoin's transaction capacity.

Beyond her role at Lightning Labs, Elizabeth contributes to the digital asset ecosystem as:

• A blockchain entrepreneur and educator
• An advocate for open internet principles
• A member of Coin Center, a leading digital currency policy organization
• A consultant for Chia (XCH), which is developing a new blockchain protocol based on proof of space and time

Her academic background includes lecturing on future internet technologies at prestigious institutions including Stanford and Yale Universities. Elizabeth's advisory experience spans from decentralized technology startups to artificial intelligence ventures.

7. Oluchi Enebeli, Founder of Web3Ladies

As Nigeria's first female blockchain engineer, Oluchi Enebeli founded Web3Ladies, which has grown into Africa's largest nonprofit Web3 community. This thriving ecosystem now encompasses over 15,000 members across numerous African countries and digital platforms.

The community focuses on nurturing the next generation of female innovators within Africa's Web3 ecosystem by providing specialized blockchain education and skills development. Oluchi's professional experience includes collaborations with major industry players for several years.

Currently serving as a senior smart contract developer at Liquality, she continues to advance blockchain adoption while maintaining her commitment to expanding female representation in the Web3 space.