Gitcoin Username–
essemharris
ETH Address–
essem.eth
Statement of Intention / My Values & Reason for Joining–
Blockchain technology is fundamentally about democratizing access to public goods. In my view, Gitcoin is the primary organization pursuing, developing, and deploying those values to the web3 community. Even in this “bear market,” Gitcoin has continued to push the envelope with the Grants Stack and Passport initiatives, putting it in pole position to emerge, in the next “bull market,” as a leading voice for grant-making and secure identity. I also believe that DAOs, once the concept and structure matures, will be a tremendous way to rapidly innovate new products, services, and offerings in web3, and I’m glad that Gitcoin has taken up the mantle of that maturation. It’s rocky, but someone has to do it! So, take those factors together: grants, identity, and DAO development. That’s my reason for putting faith in Gitcoin’s future and wanting to participate in it.
My Web3 Qualifications / Skills:
- I work as the Senior Director, Lead Product Manager for R&D at the National Basketball Association (NBA), where blockchain technology represents a core component of my portfolio
- I study philosophy and history at the City University of New York-Graduate Center with a special research interest in virtual identity and digital ethics
- I serve as the co-chair of the Digital Asset Management committee within the Metaverse Standards Forum
- I have been a member of the Friends with Benefits DAO since 2021, and have actively participated in both the Arkive and Golden communities
- I have given several lectures on management and roadmapping of emerging technologies at Columbia Business School and George Washington Business School, as well as talks at TMRE and NFT.NYC