Blockstack is committed to building an inclusive culture and creating pathways for growth and success. Level Up: Women in Emerging Tech mini-series will provide an outlet for professionals in the USV network and beyond to learn from those who are “two steps ahead,” hearing their stories and gaining tangible skills to enhance their careers along the way. The series will delve into the art of creating space and making one’s voice heard in emerging industries. By learning from those who have seen success, we hope to empower women in tech and inspire new leaders for the future.

Gina Abrams, People Operations Partner at Blockstack

Bio: Gina Abrams is the People Operations Partner at Blockstack. She studied Psychology and Social Sciences at Binghamton University. Previously she spent two years in technical recruiting, during which time she assisted numerous NYC start-ups in mission-critical hires. 
Twitter: @Gina_Abrams_

Panelists:

Brittany Laughlin, Investor Relations Partner at Blockstack and Founding Partner at Lattice Ventures

Bio: Brittany Laughlin is currently an Investor Relations Partner at Blockstack and a Partner at Lattice Ventures. At Lattice Ventures she provides launch capital and connections to entrepreneurs serving industries underserved in innovation. Prior she served as General Manager at Union Square Ventures, an early stage venture capital firm with $1B+ under management. Some portfolio companies include Etsy, Twitter, SoundCloud, Tumblr, Lending Club, and Kickstarter. Her entrepreneurial endeavors include founding VetsinTech NYC, transitioning military veterans into technology jobs, and founded gtrot, a social travel recommendation engine sold to Groupon. She has a BA in Marketing and International Business from NYU Stern. Laughlin writes about building great companies, venture investing, tech, and travel.
Twitter: @br_ttany


Katherine Wu, Independent Crypto Consultant

Bio: For the past year, Katherine was the Director of Business Development for Messari, an NYC-based crypto company aimed at promoting transparency and smarter decision-making in the token ecosystem through information gathering. Prior to Messari, Katherine has worked at Bank of China, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bank of America, and the U.S. State Department. Katherine holds a J.D. law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and a B.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University. She grew up moving between in Hong Kong and mainland China and has native fluency in Mandarin Chinese.
Twitter: @katherineykwu