An group of influential Irish women in blockchain have founded a new organisation to create local awareness around the much hyped technology.

The Blockchain Women Ireland organisation will also focus on showing women how they can make a career in this space. The group, which will formally be inaugurated on 18th September in Dublin, will also promote available educational opportunities.

Founding  members include representatives from the country’s Department of Finance, BNY Mellon and the Science Foundation Ireland-funded Adapt research centre for digital content technology.

Big hitters

Department of Finance Senior Financial Director Mai Santamaria and National College of Ireland Founding President Joyce O’Connor are part of the organisation. O’Connor is also the Chairwoman of the Institute of International and European Affairs’ digital future working group.

Also involved are Paula Kelleher, Managing Director of BNY Mellon’s Irish unit; Laura Clifford, industry partnership manager of the Adapt Centre; Niamh O’Connell, a senior solutions consultant with Ethereum-focused startup ConsenSys; and Emma Walker, Managing Director of Wachsman Ireland, a professional services firm for the blockchain sector.

Opening doors

Santamaria recently wrote a discussion paper on cryptocurrencies and the blockchain for the Department of Finance.

“The reality is that it is hard to reach out to the blockchain community, particularly if you are a woman with interest in technology but who isn’t necessarily a coder or similar,” she said in an article in The Irish Times. “We’re trying to establish a network that will help those who want to know more about blockchain, to demystify it and to open doors for those who may want a career in the sector.”