Breaking Barriers: Wisdom and Inspiration from Women at the Forefront on International Women’s Day

Wisdom and Inspiration from Women at the Forefront on International Women’s Day

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we are proud to present a series of interviews with five remarkable women who are making significant contributions to the world of crypto and beyond. These trailblazers have not only excelled in their respective fields but have also broken barriers and paved the way for future generations of women to succeed.

In this series, we feature the insights and experiences of Zogie Oyarebu, HR Director; Reba Beeson, General Counsel; Ona Gudelis, Software Engineer; Irma Leiva, Human Resources and Administrative Coordinator; and Renata Sosa, Technical Support Engineer. Each of these women brings a unique perspective to the table, sharing their challenges, triumphs, and vision for a more inclusive and empowering future.

Through their stories, we explore the importance of leadership, resilience, and innovation in driving positive change. From navigating the male-dominated world of technology to championing diversity and inclusion initiatives, these women are true catalysts for transformation.

As we delve into their journeys, we also examine the exciting possibilities that the crypto and blockchain industry holds for women. Our featured leaders share their thoughts on how this groundbreaking technology can level the playing field and create new opportunities for women to thrive.

Join us as we celebrate the achievements of these extraordinary women and draw inspiration from their unwavering commitment to empowering others. Their voices remind us that, together, we can create a world where every woman has the opportunity to lead, innovate, and shape the future.

Interview with Zogie Oyarebu, HR Director

What inspired you to pursue a leadership role, and what challenges have you faced along the way as a woman in your field?
I was inspired by the need to improve the employee experience. Prior to being in a leadership position, I came across so many young people who came to me for guidance, direction and questions relating to human resources. Once they heard I was in HR, they expressed their frustrations with either not understanding the policies or requiring help in their career journey. I have helped many friends and family navigate their career paths through career coaching and resume writing. In order to gain a broad knowledge of my field, I became a certified professional in my field. This gave me the opportunity for my first leadership role. Some challenges I have faced as a woman in my field are:

• Most times, being the only woman in the executive team 
• Having to advocate constantly for women-centered policies and activities, 
• Advocating for pay equality for women
• Lack of mentorship. A Lot of women in my field do not create mentorship opportunities for upcoming leaders. It has led to many women especially women of color to navigate the field in a trial and error mentality, thereby settling for roles that they are overqualified for or seeing this field as a job rather than a career

How do you define success, and what are some of your proudest achievements as a female leader?
When I think of success, I think of constant change, growth and improvement. Taking the initiative to learn, grow, adapt and give 100% to the opportunities given so when I look back, I can acknowledge and measure how far I have come. One of my proudest achievements was when I accepted my first leadership role as a HR Manager. It was the first time it dawned on me that the decisions I made affected not just me but others in the company. At that point my mind changed from a “me” to “us” and how I could make the employee experience better on a daily basis.

What advice would you give to young women who aspire to become leaders in their chosen careers?
Do not wait till you have 10 years of experience before creating a career path to become a leader. Research whatever career you are in and ask yourself what is the pathway to the highest level and focus on that goal. Set milestones through advanced education, certifications, networking and keep learning.

In your opinion, why is it important to celebrate International Women’s Day, and how can we continue to promote gender equality in the workplace and beyond?
There was a time, not too long ago,  when women’s rights were non-existence. Women did not have a seat at the leadership table. In order to know where we are going, it is important to know how far we have come and celebrate that. We can continue to promote gender equality by having conversations about it and promoting equality. The more it is brought to the forefront, the more we are heard. The more policies and laws are put in place, the more we get closer to a time where the level of bias will no longer be an issue. 

What excites you most about working in the crypto and blockchain industry, and how do you believe this technology can empower women and promote gender equality?
What excites me most is how revolutionary and innovative the technology is. This technology promotes transparency and eliminates bias, breaking gender disparities that we normally encounter in traditional industries. 

Interview with Reba Beeson, General Counsel

What inspired you to pursue a leadership role, and what challenges have you faced along the way as a woman in your field?
I was inspired to apply my Wall Street legal and capital markets expertise – combined with my tenacity and interpersonal communication skills – to guide management in making mission-critical decisions in a fast-paced business environment.  A key challenge was to become recognized as a thought leader, imparting well-honed advice based on the knowledge and experience I gained through working closely with leaders, board members and business teams in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

How do you define success, and what are some of your proudest achievements as a female leader?
I think of success as achieving whatever goals to which one aspires on both a personal and professional level.  For me, success is not a static process; rather, it is a dynamic one that encompasses a positive attitude, applying high energy and innovative ideas and being skillful.  Some of my proudest achievements as a female leader have been to express thought leadership on matters related to the U.S. digital assets market infrastructure and regulatory framework – through speaking and other engagements  with industry leaders and policy decision makers. Also, in my current role as General Counsel, I also count as one of my proudest achievements having worked closely with AlphaPoint’s management, as well as business and tech teams, to deliver digital asset software services to world-class financial institutions and the groundbreaking integration of AlphaPoint’s software platform into the Chivo wallet for El Salvador, the first country to adopt bitcoin as legal tender. 

What advice would you give to young women who aspire to become leaders in their chosen careers?
Be purposeful in setting goals, with a focus on leveraging your unique attributes and skills and seeking guidance from leaders that inspire you.

In your opinion, why is it important to celebrate International Women’s Day, and how can we continue to promote gender equality in the workplace and beyond?
It is important to recognize women as being key contributors to our global economy and society, in both their respective individual and professional roles.  We must continue to acknowledge women’s collective and individual contributions to the workplace by engaging them in business and civic activities and initiatives, ones that can enable them to utilize their professional qualifications and interests and to realize their full potential.

What excites you most about working in the crypto and blockchain industry, and how do you believe this technology can empower women and promote gender equality?
It is exciting to work in an industry that is in a relatively nascent stage of development with exponential growth potential because it affords the opportunity to be innovative and inclusive, applying a different lens to urgent business needs to deploy effective R&D, business strategy and management, and business development and processes.  These needs require participation by a broad and diverse array of participants to work with internal business leaders and teams, as well as counterparties, including clients and prospects, service providers, policy makers and regulators.  This environment is ripe for empowering women and promoting gender equality, incorporating a diverse talent pool and individual, unique perspectives toward creating a robust framework for fostering industry growth and the expansion of a global financial services ecosystem.

Interview with Ona Gudelis, Software Engineer

What inspired you to pursue a role in tech, and what challenges have you faced along the way as a woman in your field?
My journey into the tech industry started with a passion for computers, math, and solving intricate puzzles at an early age. During my collegiate career, I encountered invaluable mentors and managers throughout my internships. Their mentorship not only provided me with the necessary skills but also instilled confidence in my abilities to contribute meaningfully to the field. I’ve encountered challenges such as self-doubt and gender bias. However, I’ve been fortunate to work on teams that foster inclusivity, where these challenges are very minimal.

How do you define success, and what are some of your proudest achievements as a female leader?
Success can be defined in various ways, such as achieving personal goals, making a positive impact, or overcoming challenges. I’m happy to contribute to the accomplishments of my team and organization.

What advice would you give to young women who aspire to become leaders in their chosen careers?
For young women, and anyone aspiring to excel in their chosen careers, my advice is to encourage self-confidence, establish clear goals, and build a professional network. Be assertive in pursuing opportunities and consider engaging in internships or apprenticeships to gain valuable hands-on experience. Celebrate wins along the way and prioritize well-being. Embrace the unique perspectives that individuals from diverse backgrounds bring, as it enhances creativity and innovation.

In your opinion, why is it important to celebrate International Women’s Day, and how can we continue to promote gender equality in the workplace and beyond?
Promoting gender equality involves building a workplace culture that values and appreciates all employees. Encouraging open communication, team building, and creating opportunities for mutual understanding can contribute to a more fair and supportive environment.

What excites you most about working in the crypto and blockchain industry, and how do you believe this technology can empower women and promote gender equality?
Learning and growing in a new industry, and the ability to apply this knowledge to my personal life, is what excites me most about working in the crypto and blockchain space. I believe blockchain technology has the potential to empower women and promote gender equality by fostering greater financial inclusion. It can provide a secure platform to save money, build assets, and improve their daily lives.

Interview with Irma Leiva, Human Resources and Administrative Coordinator

What inspired you to pursue a leadership role, and what challenges have you faced along the way as a woman in your field?
Having the opportunity to be a mentor and having more decision-making ability as a leader can feel impactful, as you have the opportunity to positively influence others both professionally and personally. However, out of all my roles, I love being a mother, wife, and hardworking woman the most.

How do you define success, and what are some of your proudest achievements as a female leader?
I would define success as fulfilling personal and professional goals and leaving a positive impact. 

What advice would you give to young women who aspire to become leaders in their chosen careers?
Believe in your capabilities and surround yourself with people that remind you of your strengths and encourage you to keep trying and learning.

In your opinion, why is it important to celebrate International Women’s Day, and how can we continue to promote gender equality in the workplace and beyond?
It’s important to recognize women’s achievements, it inspires others to create a better society with respect and values. We can promote a culture where employees feel valued based on their talent, promote inclusivity and respect for everyone.

What excites you most about working in the crypto and blockchain industry, and how do you believe this technology can empower women and promote gender equality?  
When I started at AlphaPoint, I had a basic understanding of crypto and blockchain. However, working in this industry has opened my eyes to the immense potential and promising use cases for this technology. I am excited about the future possibilities that blockchain offers. I encourage not only women but everyone to learn about blockchain technology, as it is undoubtedly part of our future. 

Interview with Renata Sosa, Technical Support Engineer

What inspired you to pursue a role in tech and what challenges have you faced along the way as a woman in your field?
Believing and knowing that as a woman, I am just as capable as a man to be able to give my best has inspired me. I have exceeded my learning expectations and become someone I never imagined I would be. I have become a strong, smart, and independent woman. I have had the opportunity to get to know very clever people around me who can contribute to my growth within this field. However, I have doubted my own abilities and felt like I don’t belong in male-dominated environments. I have faced hostile or discriminatory work environments, including harassment, microaggressions, and exclusionary behavior in my past jobs.

How do you define success, and what are some of your proudest achievements as a female leader?
Success for me is a synergy of all aspects of my life – professional, spiritual, economic, family, and health. Knowing that I have reached this point in my life with my own efforts and the help of wonderful people around me is my proudest achievement. The fact that I was taken into consideration for this project is also a proud moment. When I received the job offer for this opportunity, I was in a very difficult moment in my life where I came to feel that I was not capable of many things. Being able to work at AlphaPoint with all these talented and intelligent people makes me feel very satisfied with what I am doing, and it motivates me to keep going.

What advice would you give to young women who aspire to become leaders in their chosen careers?I
I would advise them to follow their instincts, believe in themselves, be persistent, define clear goals, prepare for new challenges, and most importantly, support other women..

In your opinion, why is it important to celebrate International Women’s Day, and how can we continue to promote gender equality in the workplace and beyond?
The commemoration of Women’s Day is to raise awareness about the importance of empowering women in all environments, protecting their rights, and ensuring that they can achieve their full potential. We need to:

• Fight the pay disparity in the tech industry: Women in tech earn 3% less than men on average.
• Fight stereotypes: Most people consider women to have less technical competence than men.
• Address the lack of representation of women: Women occupy only 26.7% of technology-related jobs, about 25% of technology leadership positions, and 14% of software engineering positions.
• Acknowledge that women are often taken for granted: Women in the tech sector often face microaggressions, which are subtle and often unintentional acts of discrimination. These may include being interrupted or talked over in meetings, having your ideas dismissed, or being subjected to inappropriate comments or behavior.

Who are some of the female role models or mentors who have influenced you, and what valuable lessons have you learned from them?
My mom and my sister, for sure. They have taught me to believe in myself, to work hard for myself, to be brave, and to trust myself. They have encouraged me to make difficult decisions at crucial moments in my life, resulting in new opportunities and enriching experiences. Believing and knowing that my support comes from God and that they will always be there to support me has been invaluable.

What excites you most about working in the crypto and blockchain industry, and how do you believe this technology can empower women and promote gender equality?
This industry offers a unique combination of innovation, financial opportunities, community engagement, and potential for social impact that excites people from all over the world and drives them to pursue careers and projects in this space. I have had the opportunity to learn a lot about this industry, as it offers growth. Women entrepreneurs can access capital more easily, and blockchain technology can facilitate access to essential services, such as education, healthcare, and financial services, while protecting your privacy and autonomy.