Empowering Women in Web3: Pioneering Change and Shaping the Future.

We all know that the web3 sector is predominantly male-dominated, with a significant number of CEOs, founders, projects, and influencers being men. However, numerous women are making remarkable strides as pioneers in this field, demonstrating leadership and innovation.This International Women's Day the theme is ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’, whose focus is mainly on the importance of gender equality, empowering women and girls, and their rights to healthier lives. At Bionic we wanted to showcase the women who, with their creativity and technical prowess, are dismantling the old guard and paving neon-lit paths in the blockchain, cryptocurrency, and decentralized technologies. We spoke with Rebecca Short our Chief Operating Officer, Lili Eva Bartha the CEO & founder of GN3RA and Lisa McClory, the Director & founder of Fractal Legal to ask them about the web3 space, being a woman in the industry, their experiences and what advice they have for young women wanting to enter the sector. Join us as we explore their journeys, the innovations they're spearheading, and the challenges they're overcoming.

What do you believe are the most significant barriers to entry for women in Web3, and how can these be overcome?

“Women make up less than 15% of the workforce in Web3. It’s known that more needs to be done to encourage women into STEM from a young age but I think if you have a non-technical background there is still a place for you, this is how I entered the industry in an operational capacity. I’m really passionate in believing that representation really matters and more needs to be done to shout about the impact of women in this space.” - Rebecca Short. 

“The space is unarguably very male-dominated at the moment. There are many amazing female leaders who are trail-blazing pathways. However, I suppose the challenge for web3 is that participants tend to be drawn from other male-dominated professions, such as finance and technology, and I suppose this contributes to the entry barrier.

I would mainly call for all involved in the web3 industry to provide their allyship and support to female colleagues, whether that is by ensuring there is always female representation on panels, or calling out events that rely on promotional techniques involving the stigmatisation of women, and ensuring the web3 world is a safe and inclusive environment for all. I would say that whilst women-specific groups may play some useful role, I think there needs to be caution that women are not being shunted off to a side-table to have separate discussions. Women need to be sitting at the main table, running and fully taking part in the web3 adventure.” - Lisa McClory

What has been your most challenging lesson learned while working in Web3, and how has it contributed to your personal growth?

“I once read somewhere: to learn something new, you have to be brave enough to really suck at it. It is important to not reside in a complacent limiting of yourself by only walking in areas where you are comfortable, along clearly mapped out pathways. I always approach projects with openness, and with a view of learning something new from the amazing diversity of fields and professions contributing to web3 innovation.” - Lisa McClory
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How do you believe Web3 can contribute to greater diversity and inclusion in tech, and what steps are you taking within your organization or projects to promote these values?

“I think a lot about the kind of culture we want to develop within our business and how to set a good precedent with our employees.

As a start up, where mayhem is daily, culture can be something that easily falls by the wayside. Having cut my teeth and professionally developed in a workplace that valued people and good culture so I know the lasting impact it can have. I think a lot about how an open and honest culture where anyone feels able to contribute manifests itself positively in the work that gets delivered. Creating a psychological safe working space. I hope that wherever their careers take them, they are able to further enhance the strong cultural foundation they've established.” - Rebecca Short

“I see the role of Web3 essential in creating the next evolution of the internet that is democratic, equal, transparent, often anonymous, all in all, it brings less emphasis on the individual, and more emphasis on the community they form together.” - Lili Eva Bartha

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The Web3 space is rapidly evolving with significant uncertainties. How do you navigate these uncertainties, and what advice would you give to aspiring female leaders in this space?

“It’s hard being the first to do something and as this industry is evolving so quickly most women in it are breaking new ground. There feels like there is a maturing of the space happening in practices and approaches; I always come back to the core premises of what are we setting out to achieve and who is it for. 

Stay hungry to learn, keep connected and develop a network of like minded individuals. My experience has been that people are willing to give you their time and support if you have the right intentions.” - Rebecca Short.

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to become leaders in the Web3 space?

“Do not think of yourself as a female professional / female expert / female founder. You are a professional, an expert, a founder. Make your voice heard, even if it is harder sometimes. True talent and passion will prevail.” -  Lili Eva Bartha

“In the Web3 space, a field characterized by rapid innovation and constant change, aspiring female leaders have a unique opportunity to shape the future. My advice would center on several key areas.

Embrace continuous learning; these industries evolve at a breakneck pace.
Build a strong network; your network is not just a resource but a community you contribute to.
Develop resilience; learn from failures and persevering with a clear vision.
Foster inclusivity; cement your role as a leader who values equity and diversity.
Be authentic; Embrace your unique perspective and strengths.” - Rebecca Short

“Dive in, be confident, and always be yourself. 

You can rely on the support of other women in the space too - I have had really meaningful support over the years from powerful female allies, for which I am incredibly thankful, and who just get the unique challenges faced by women. These support networks are invaluable.” - Lisa McClory

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What are some projects/developments you are personally excited about right now?

“What holds back Web3 solutions from mainstream adoption is most often the lack of relatable use cases that offer clear and long-lasting value, rather than a short-lived, hype-centric project with minimal to no ROI. A big difference in decentralized projects in 2024 compared to previous years is the growing tendency of leaving its Web3 component under the hood, allowing the stakeholders engaging with it to focus on what the actual value offered is. This can only be solved if the issue around inaccessibility is also addressed - how easily and effortlessly can stakeholders interact with the technology?  

The unfolding landscape of tokenized membership and rewards system is definitely one of the best areas that captures all the above. It delivers relatable and well needed use cases with longstanding value for both business and consumer.

As an example, its success in cultivating the next level of brand-consumer engagement for lifestyle brands is clear, with examples ranging from Starbucks` Odyssey to Prada`s Time Capsule initiative and NFT dedicated area, Prada Crypted. The rise of specialist networks such as Future+, SYKY`s membership system is also an exciting area to watch. These structures revolve around focusing on niche areas with highly curated members, to create exclusivity and cleverly combine digital perks with physical activations that nurture professionals and collaboration.” - Lili Eva Bartha.

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As we celebrate International Women's Day, it's crucial to highlight the significant impact women are making in the Web3 revolution, despite the challenges in a traditionally male-dominated sector. Insights from leaders like Rebecca Short, Lili Eva Bartha, and Lisa McClory underscore the innovative contributions, challenges overcome, and invaluable advice for aspiring female leaders in this space.

As we champion the role of women in shaping the future of technology and finance, let's commit to fostering an environment that celebrates diversity, encourages inclusivity, and recognizes the indispensable contributions of women in driving the Web3 revolution forward. 

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