Ep17 - Building an Inclusive Digital Economy: Insights from Helen Sharron Pollard of Selfient

Overview: In this episode, Ginnette sits down with Helen Sharron Pollard, a pioneering blockchain innovator and co-founder of Selfient, to explore her journey in the world of Web3. Helen shares her transformative experience at Amazon in 2010, where she recognized the potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize supply chains across industries. With over two decades of experience in financial and tech firms like State Street and BNY Mellon, Helen is dedicated to empowering women in the blockchain space and bridging financial literacy gaps. Tune in to learn about her groundbreaking work on a smart contract tool launched on the Ethereum mainnet and her vision for a more inclusive digital economy.What You’ll Learn:1. Empowering Women in Web3: Helen discusses her mission to empower women in the Web3 space, highlighting the importance of financial literacy and access to financial institutions for women globally. She emphasizes the need for women to engage with blockchain technology to gain autonomy and financial independence.2. Building Accessible Smart Contracts: The episode covers how Helen's company, Selfient, aims to simplify the process of creating smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain. By providing a user-friendly tool, Selfiant allows individuals to create contracts without needing extensive coding knowledge, thus lowering the barriers to entry for using blockchain technology.3. Challenges and Opportunities in Web3: Helen shares her insights on the current landscape of Web3, including the difficulties faced by women entrepreneurs in securing funding and the need for more inclusive practices within the venture capital community. She discusses the importance of collaboration and allyship in creating a more equitable environment for women in the tech industry.About Helen Sharron Pollard:Helen Sharron Pollard is a blockchain innovator and co-founder of Selfient, a smart contract tool on the Ethereum Polygon blockchain. With over two decades of experience in financial services at firms like BNY Mellon and State Street, she is dedicated to empowering women in Web3 and bridging financial literacy gaps. Helen's mission is to create a more inclusive digital economy, leveraging her expertise to drive innovation and support equitable access to financial resources.Links and resources: Helen Sharron Pollard’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-sharron-pollard-9a1350/Ginnette Harvey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginnetteharvey/ Web3 and Blockchain recruitment: https://www.bloc-haus.com/Time stamps:[00:03:27] Financial inclusion for women.[00:04:48] Empowering women through Web3.[00:11:52] Women and crypto wallets.[00:12:32] Funding gap for women entrepreneurs.[00:18:54] Women in Web3 empowerment.[00:20:40] Funding and equity in Web3.[00:27:24] Women in Web3 opportunities.[00:30:34] Financial inclusion for women.KeywordsBlockchain, digital assets, regulation, Web3, cryptocurrency, AI, crypto, treasury, payments, talent