speaker-0: Ethereum ecosystem. It's definitely a place and an environment which is very much supportive of women. think women are way more welcome in Web3. Women movement in Ethereum is pretty much leading the way.

speaker-1: One skill every Web3 woman should learn.

speaker-0: Adaptability show up consistently, build competence and it's very important to create supportive networks around you.

speaker-1: the future of Ethereum is.

speaker-0: The future of Ethereum is inclusive, sure. Try hard and make it. We don't try, we do it.

speaker-1: 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 ETHClutch and support Ethereum for Everyone. We are really looking forward to learning more about her journey and contribution in this episode. Welcome, Simona.

speaker-0: Hi, Pooja. Hi, guys. Thank you so much for having me. 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, happy to be here.

speaker-1: 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 this space. I would love to learn more about you and ETHClutch. 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?

speaker-0: That's a very interesting question. Actually, ⁓ I found my way to the Ethereum ecosystem by casualty and chance and meeting nice people who could onboard me into what's going on in Ethereum, specifically around culture and ethics. And ⁓ so very shortly, like 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 corporate world as well as specifically and more likely in web two, right? I didn't find the same vibe in web three. 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 an activist spirit. And that's actually the reason why I joined Ethereum and joined the team at that point. They were called Ethereum, Cluj Ethereum developers. We transformed into ETH Cluj 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 keep in mind the ethical alignment, right?

speaker-1: 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 Web2 World. I understand that there could be something in the Web3 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's space than a woman is finding it in Vathri Vod?

speaker-0: I'll be honest, maybe I'm a bit privileged as well, but what I've noticed moving from web two to web three is actually web three 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. mean, my colleagues are all, you know, guys and actually enjoy working with them quite much. 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 tech and such. which are a lot related to credibility, trust, and basically proving yourself, right? So yeah, 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 inclinated towards guys. Maybe it's just that they have more appetite for risk 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.

speaker-1: 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.

speaker-0: Yeah, definitely. Just like in terms of, you will, challenges on how to overcome like any type of challenges that people or women in specific might face in a web-free 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?

speaker-1: 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 men and women in this space who can actually lead the space very well?

speaker-0: 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 web three. I think that's probably a good marker to look at. Like the easier we make it to people to onboard into web three, the best it is for the ecosystem as well, but also for inclusivity. And I think like just talking about, you know, onboarding inclusivity, think a lot of our challenges are dealing with the fact that sometimes 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.

speaker-1: And that's exactly what you are doing, making it accessible to students, newcomers who are looking forward to a good future. Thank you so much for the work that you are doing with E-Clutch and the entire team too.

speaker-0: Thank you.

speaker-1: Could you name 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?

speaker-0: I think I could name a few. I want to start with you, Pujan, because good to see you. I see you. So it's not by chance that we wanted you as community partners for Eatcluze last year and for this year as well. And I think there's like an immense amount of women which are contributing 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, think she's pretty much leading the way. If I can say it like this, very 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 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 gonna smile when she's gonna see this because I literally just ended the meeting just 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.

speaker-1: 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 Shaiwe 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.

speaker-0: Of course, 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.

speaker-1: 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 this space.

speaker-0: Yeah, definitely. I noticed by the way, 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 the tech field, right? So I think we're going to see nice surprises in terms of this for sure.

speaker-1: Looking forward to it. Yes, of course. All right, that kind of conclude my 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. It's gonna be fun!

speaker-0: Alright, let's go.

speaker-1: ⁓ One skill every web3 woman should learn.

speaker-0: Adaptability for sure. That's generally valid, but adaptability is like one core skill for sure. Yes.

speaker-1: DeFi Governance or Intra, your favorite space.

speaker-0: Probably gonna go for infra. Yeah, biased, but infra.

speaker-1: One word for the future of Web3. Inclusion means what to you.

speaker-0: bright. openness.

speaker-1: White Paper or Podcast.

speaker-0: It's easier to digest podcasts, but I have been contributing to white papers as well. Well, just correcting and such. Yeah, I think podcasts, if we want to include more people and make it a bit more digestible and video content, let's not forget about video content.

speaker-1: Right, I mean, you coming from a academic background, this was a good question for me to hear from you.

speaker-0: Thank you, thank you for asking it.

speaker-1: Alright, layer 1 or layer 2?

speaker-0: Well, I'm biased as well over there. Layer one, I would say.

speaker-1: decentralization feels like.

speaker-0: feels like freedom of choice.

speaker-1: the future of Ethereum is.

speaker-0: ⁓ the future of Ethereum is inclusive for sure.

speaker-1: And that concludes rapid fire questions. Thank you, Simona, for being so brave and responding to all the questions honestly. I find that you are more inspiring to many women. coming from web to world to web three 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.

speaker-0: It's exactly the word that I would describe women that I see in Web3 and in Ethereum specifically. I'm biased there as well. But yeah, fearless, which is great. That's what I want to see.

speaker-1: All right, Simona, thank you so much for taking the time out to speak with us today and sharing your journey, your work and perspectives so openly. It is inspiring to see the impact that you and the team are creating in the ATM ecosystem, especially with the Academy group. And we wish you all the best. Thank you so much once again.

speaker-0: 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.

speaker-1: likewise and all the best for upcoming event.

speaker-0: Thank you. Thank you so much. Cheers.

speaker-1: Dear listeners, thank you for tuning in to this special series Women Powering Web3 by ECH Institute. If this conversation resonates with you, do share it with your communities and if you are a woman looking to step into this space, we hope these stories encourage you to take the first step. Until next time, thank you for listening.