6 Influencers Who Are Closing The Financial Literacy Gap For Women In Crypto

A persistent gender gap exists in both participation in cryptocurrency and decentralized finance. Women make up a smaller proportion of cryptocurrency owners than men. However, a growing cohort of influential women is working to bridge this divide and empower others through education, community building, and advocacy that is specifically tailored to women’s financial needs and concerns.

Their work involves encouraging investment, facilitating educational frameworks and supportive communities, and creating new platforms to address the unique challenges women face when entering the crypto space. Scroll to learn more about six influential women working to close the financial literacy gap for women in cryptocurrency.

Rachel Conlan: Crypto Adoption Through Inclusivity

Rachel Conlan is the Chief Marketing Officer of Binance, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges by trading volume. Conlan began her career in advertising for legacy companies where she worked in digital transformations.

As the chief marketing officer at Binance, Conlan has scaled the company’s marketing efforts by using adaptable yet user-focused strategies to expand the company’s global community. She has been an advocate for empowering women in the crypto industry by creating an inclusive environment where diverse voices are valued.

“Historically, industries like tech and finance have been male-dominated, and that extends to crypto as well. However, one of the things I love about this industry is its capacity for change. We’re seeing more women take on leadership roles, not just at Binance but across the board. At Binance, we are making conscious efforts to create an inclusive environment where diverse voices are valued,” Conlan states.

She adds, “One of the initiatives I’m particularly proud of is our focus on educating women in the crypto space. Last year, during Binance Blockchain Week, we launched a program in Istanbul aimed at educating women on how to responsibly engage with crypto. Our goal is to onboard 500 women by mid-2025, teaching them how to trade, invest, and take control of their financial future.”

Laura Shin: Demystifying Crypto Through Journalism

As the host of the Unchained podcast and a former senior editor, Laura Shin has worked hard to become a respected cryptocurrency journalist. With an Ivy League education and years of financial journalism experience, Shin’s writing is complete with intellectual rigor and clarity to complex cryptocurrency topics.

Shin’s approach to financial education involves investigative reporting and in-depth interviews with industry leaders, which she then passes on to eager students through her podcast, which has produced over 400 episodes since 2016. Through this medium, she creates accessible entry points to cryptocurrency concepts without oversimplification.

Shin’s 2022 book, The Cryptopians: Idealism, Greed, Lies, and the Making of the First Big Cryptocurrency Craze, enumerates a comprehensive history of crypto’s development, providing context for readers to understand today’s crypto landscape. Her journalistic approach emphasizes education over speculation to provide women with the foundations to evaluate cryptocurrency opportunities critically.

Flori Marquez: Building Accessible On-Ramps

As co-founder and COO of BlockFi, Flori Marquez has led the creation of user-friendly financial platforms that combine traditional and crypto finance. Before its restructuring in 2022, her company served over 650,000 clients and managed over $10 billion in assets while helping to make cryptocurrency investing more accessible to newcomers.

Marquez’s focus is on designing financial products with women users in mind. “Women often approach risk differently than men,” she explains. “We’ve found that providing educational resources alongside simplified user experiences significantly increases women’s comfort level with cryptocurrency investments.”

Under Marquez’s leadership, BlockFi has developed extensive educational resources that address women’s common questions and concerns about cryptocurrency. Their “Women in Crypto” initiative highlights female investors and their success stories. It also provides tailored financial literacy guidance for women.

Beyond product development, Marquez regularly shares her expertise through speaking engagements at financial conferences and universities, emphasizing the importance of creating supportive learning environments where women feel comfortable asking questions. Her approach acknowledges that financial literacy isn’t just about access to information but also about creating appropriate contexts for learning.

Tavonia Evans: Promoting Financial Inclusion Through Technology

Tavonia Evans stands out for addressing the intersection of gender and racial disparities in cryptocurrency. As the founder of GUAP Coin, the first cryptocurrency focused on the economic empowerment of Black communities with a particular emphasis on Black women, Evans combines technological innovation with social purpose.

A computer scientist and former Fortune 500 IT professional, Evans recognized that financial literacy needed to be coupled with economic tools specifically designed for underserved communities. GUAP (Group United Asset Program) Coin creates economic incentives for supporting Black-owned businesses while providing financial education through community events.

Evans’ “Crypto for the Culture” workshops specifically target women with limited prior exposure to investment or technology. These sessions begin with basic financial principles before introducing cryptocurrency concepts, recognizing that effective education should meet learners where they are. Her holistic approach acknowledges that financial literacy exists within broader socioeconomic contexts and must address these realities to be effective.

Cleve Mesidor: Bridging Policy and Education

Through her leadership of the National Policy Network of Women of Color in Blockchain and as a blockchain policy advisor, Cleve Mesidor works at the crucial intersection of cryptocurrency policy, advocacy, and education.

Mesidor’s approach emphasizes the importance of women understanding not just how to use cryptocurrency, but also the regulatory environment shaping its development.

Her “Blockchain for Beginners” series specifically targets women with limited technical backgrounds, using relatable examples and clear language to explain complicated concepts. Unlike approaches that separate technology from its social implications, Mesidor integrates discussions of regulatory concerns and consumer protections into her educational materials.

As the author of The Clevolution: My Quest for Justice in Politics & Crypto, Mesidor provides a roadmap for women navigating both the technical and policy aspects of cryptocurrency. Her work recognizes that true financial literacy incorporates an understanding the broader systems in which financial technologies operate.

Olayinka Odeniran: Building Community Through Shared Learning

As the founder of the Black Women Blockchain Council (BWBC), Olayinka Odeniran creates supportive communities where women can develop blockchain literacy together. With a background in financial regulation compliance and cybersecurity, Odeniran brings crucial expertise to her educational initiatives.

BWBC’s approach emphasizes peer support and mentorship, recognizing that women often learn most effectively in collaborative environments. Their “Blockchain Beginners” program pairs newcomers with more experienced mentors, creating supportive relationships that extend beyond formal educational sessions.

What distinguishes Odeniran’s work is her emphasis on workforce development alongside financial literacy. BWBC’s training programs prepare women for careers in blockchain technology, addressing both the knowledge gap and the representation gap simultaneously. By connecting financial literacy with economic opportunity, Odeniran creates sustainable pathways for women’s participation in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

Beyond Investment to Empowerment

The work of these six influencers represents a sophisticated approach to financial literacy that goes beyond simply encouraging women to invest in cryptocurrency. They are creating comprehensive educational ecosystems that address the multiple dimensions of the financial literacy gap.

What unites these diverse approaches is the recognition that financial literacy isn’t just about understanding terminology or investment strategies. It encompasses critical thinking skills, supportive communities, and an understanding of the broader contexts in which financial technologies operate. By addressing these multiple dimensions, these influencers are creating transformative educational experiences that empower women to participate fully in the cryptocurrency revolution.

*Investing involves risk and your investment may lose value. Past performance gives no indication of future results. These statements do not constitute and cannot replace professional investment or financial advice.

BDG Media newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.