From Corporate to Web3: Simona on Building ETH Cluj & Ethereum Culture | Women Powering Web3 - Ep 05

Transcript

Ethereum ecosystem. It's definitely a place in an environment which is very much supportive of women. I think women are way more welcome in Web3. Women movement in Ethereum is pretty much leading the way easily. [music] >> One skill every Web3 women should learn. >> Adaptability. Show up consistently, build competence, and it's very important to create supportive [music] networks around you. >> The future of Ethereum is >> The future of Ethereum is inclusive for sure. Try hard and make [music] it. We don't try, we do it. >> [music] >> Welcome to ECH Institute's podcast. In this special series women powering Web3, we are speaking with women across the space who are contributing and

supporting the Ethereum ecosystem. Today, we are joined by Simona Serban. Simona is co-founder of Eth Klatch and Support Ethereum for Everyone. We are really looking forward to learning more about her journey and contribution in this episode. Welcome, Simona. >> Hi, Puja. Hi, guys. Thank you so much for having me, first of all. I have Well, you already know that, but I have a lot of appreciation for all the work that you're doing behind ECH Institute, as well as Women in Ethereum protocol. So, yeah. Happy to be here.

>> Thank you so much for your kind words, and yes, pleasure is all ours. From what I understand, you are promoting Ethereum to colleges and universities. You're even offering free conference ticket to students who are curious about blockchain work and want to practice that, want to learn more from the people already building in the space. I would love to learn more about you and Eth Klatch. So, let's kick off this conversation with short introduction. Could you let our audience know about yourself and how you find your way into the Ethereum ecosystem? >> And that's a very interesting question.

Actually, I found my way to the Ethereum ecosystem by casualty and chance on meeting nice people who could on board me into what's going on in Ethereum, specifically around culture and ethics. And so very shortly, like I've I've exited at that point in my life from like this huge corporation, and I kind of felt a lot of, you know, like the pressure that is, you know, pretty much common in in corporate world, as well as specifically and more likely in Web 2, right? I didn't find the same vibe in Web 3. So at that point in my life, I was going through a phase which I was feeling that something needs to be done, if you will, sort of like connected with spirit. And that's actually the reason

why I joined the Ethereum and joined the team. At that point, they were called Ethereum Clues, Ethereum Developers. We transformed into Eth Clues that you know today. And the root is actually or our purpose is, you know, like building a community around the principles, the values, and the philosophy behind Ethereum. And obviously, you know, promoting education on all aspects regarding technology, but, you know, always keeping in mind the ethical alignment right? >> That is so well said. I understand meeting different people and meeting interesting people in this space is also motivation for many people, including me as well. But, yeah, I understand these conferences and events, those are around helps let people know what's going on in

the other part of the world. You mentioned about if not some constraints from Web 2 world. I understand that there could be something in the Web 3 as well. You being a woman, have you ever faced any kind of challenges which you find is going to be different from a men in space than a woman is finding it in Web 3 world? >> I'll be honest, maybe I'm a bit privileged as well, but what I've noticed moving from Web 2 to Web 3 is actually Web 3 and specifically Ethereum ecosystem, it's definitely a place and an environment which is very much supportive of women, right? And this is kind of a huge difference which I need to emphasize because in corporate world, for example, we talk a lot about, you know, like gender equality and such, but

it's more likely branding rather than facts. And what I've seen so far, again, maybe I am lucky like that, but I've seen a lot of support from all of my colleagues. I mean, my colleagues are all, you know, guys, and I actually enjoy working with them quite much. I enjoy like all the support that I've seen all throughout the Ethereum ecosystem for women. So, I'll be honest, the challenges which I face are more likely the challenges that probably everybody faces regarding onboarding on their journey to blockchain or tech and such, which are a lot related to credibility, trust, and basically proving yourself, right?

So, yeah, it's it's actually something that I think women are way more welcome in Web3. It's true that at this point the balance is way more inclinable towards guys. Maybe it's just that they have more appetite for it than women, but I think we're pretty much bridging the gap quite nicely, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing even more women join Web3 ecosystem, for sure. >> I must say that along with the challenges, there are many opportunities in this space. So, this is a very good explanation of what opportunities women in Web3 have here.

>> Yeah, definitely, definitely. But just like in terms of, if you will, challenges on how to overcome like any type of challenges that people or women especially might face in Web3 ecosystem, I would say just show up consistently, build competence, and it's very important to create supportive networks around you where people feel valued and also visible, right? >> Very true. You mentioned that we are decently bridging the gap. What does inclusivity look like to you? Like when do you feel like we are in a good mix of like men and women in this space who can actually lead this space very well.

>> I think maybe a good marker for this would be like regardless of gender is, you know, as long as there is like open learning and open onboarding journeys for everyone that is not necessarily already in the web3. I think that's probably a good marker to look at. Like the easier we make it to people to onboard into web3, the best it is for the ecosystem as well, but also for inclusivity. And I think like just talking about, you know, onboarding inclusivity, I think a lot of our challenges are dealing with the fact that sometimes like we function in a bubble system, right? So, I think that we need to step up even more and do a

better job at opening the door for everyone who wants to, you know, like is curious to have a sneak peek or, you know, learn a bit more. >> And that's exactly what you're doing, making it accessible to students, newcomers who are looking forward to have good futures. Thank you so much for the work that you are doing with Eat Cluj and the entire team too. >> Thank you. >> Could you name a one woman who inspires you the most or kind of have done a lot to uplift the entire women group and try to bring them on board?

>> I think I could name a few. I want to start with you, Pooja. >> [laughter] >> Because kudos to you. I see you. So, uh it's not by chance that we wanted you as community partners for Eat Cluj last year and for this year as well. And I think there's like an immense amount of women which are contributing to the to the ecosystem and in specific wonderful work that you're doing around the women in Ethereum protocol. Then again, obviously, you know, one that comes to mind is obviously Aya who's like through her thoughtful leadership at the Ethereum Foundation, I think she's pretty much leading the way. If I can say like this, very, you know, low-key, doing a super good job

representing women in Ethereum, right? But then again, I also want to talk around, you know, like your like everyday people that get involved and women that get involved into tech or ecosystem development. Like for example, big shout-out for women in Web3 privacy and specifically Alina who's pretty much doing a good job pulling the group together and I have nothing but appreciation for these girls. And yeah, just funnily enough, I've just spoken to Roxana from Logos who's doing a very nice job pulling through like all of their initiatives. I know she's very much involved in Circles. She's probably going to smile when she's going to see this because I literally just ended the meeting before with her. So yeah,

there's a lot of people that, you know, the list is endless, but just mentioning a few that right now come to mind. Thank you to all the women and to everyone who's doing a good job stewarding Ethereum and Ethereum values. >> That is awesome. Yeah, I understand that there are many women on the application side, but there are so many women on the protocol side as well. Like I have known Shiwei for a very long time. I have known when she was a developer working for Beacon chain side of the Ethereum, but now she's into the leadership. So there are so many women inspiring people like us to be in the space and they are making the space safer for us.

>> Of course. I think nowadays it's pretty much women movement in Ethereum is pretty much leading the way easily, right? So yeah, I'm very happy to see that obviously. >> Likewise, likewise. We hope that we can onboard more with our program as you mentioned women in Ethereum protocol, so we hope to have more women in the space. >> Yeah, definitely. I noticed by the way a lot of like among students that we're working with in our monthly initiatives and yearly as well. I've noticed that there are a lot of women like half half ratio somehow, which is quite nice to see in a tech field, right? So, I think we're going to see nice surprises in terms of this, for sure.

>> Looking forward to it. Yes, of course. All right, that kind of conclude my like short answer questions. Now we are heading toward a different section, which is called rapid fire round, and we would love to hear from you. One word, one phrase, or whatever comes to your mind first. >> Oh god. >> I'm ready. >> Oh, this is going to be fun. >> [laughter] >> All right, let's go. >> All right. >> [music] >> One skill every Web3 woman should learn. >> Adaptability, for sure. That's uh generally valid, but adaptability is like one core skill, for sure. Yes.

>> DeFi governance or infra, your favorite space? >> It's probably going to go for infra. Yeah, biased, but infra. [laughter] >> One word for the future of Web3. >> Bright. >> Inclusion means what to you? >> Openness. >> White paper or podcast? >> [laughter] >> It's easier to digest podcast, but I have been contributing to white papers as well. Well, just correcting and such. Yeah, I think podcast if we want to include more people and make it a bit more digestible. And video content, let's not forget about video content.

>> Right. I mean, you coming from academic background, this was a good question for me to hear from you. >> [laughter] >> Thank you. Thank you for asking it. >> Yes, all right. Layer one or layer two? >> Well, biased as well over there. Layer one, I would say. >> [laughter] >> Decentralization feels like >> Feels like freedom of choice. >> The future of Ethereum is >> Uh the future of Ethereum is inclusive, for sure. >> And that concludes rapid fire questions. you, Simona, for being so brave and responding to all the questions honestly.

I find that you are more inspiring to many women. Like coming from web 2 world to web 3 is a journey in itself, and it's always interesting. And I find it inspirational to hear from people who have made this transition, right? So, I hope the story that we are trying to share with this Women's Day special podcast should be well received, and we find more women getting into space being fearless. They shouldn't be afraid of themselves, like they cannot be a part of this space. So, I hope the journey helps people to get there.

>> Yeah, for sure. It's exactly the word that I would describe women that I see in in web 3 and in Ethereum specifically. Yeah, I'm biased there, as well. But yeah, fearless, which is great. That's what I want to see. >> [laughter] >> All right, Simona. Thank you so much for taking the time out to speak with us today and sharing your journey, your work, and perspective so openly. It is inspiring to see the impact that you and the team are creating in the Ethereum ecosystem, especially with the Academic Group. And we wish you all the best. Thank you so much once again.

>> Thank you, as well. Yeah, I'm rooting for all the women out there that try hard and make it. We don't try, we do it. And thank you, Pooja, so much for hosting me. Thank you, ECH team. And looking forward to working even closer with you guys. So, let's go. >> Likewise, and all the best for upcoming events. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. Cheers. >> Dear listeners, [music] thank you for tuning in to this special series Women Powering Web 3 by ECH [music] Institute. If this conversation resonates with you, do share it with your communities. And if you are a woman looking to step into [music] this space, we hope these stories encourage you to take the first step. Until next [music] time, thank you for listening.

>> [music] [music] >> Mhm.