Continuing on with our ‘passing the torch’ tradition, sharing updates to the leadership role and what it means for Gitcoin.
The TL:DR: After 2+ years as Chief of Staff then Interim Executive Director, I’m stepping away from the role and passing the torch back to the OG Founder - @owocki . I’ll stay on the Foundation Board to handle admin operations alongside the current board team.
Gitcoin’s Path to Decentralization
We’re on the path to real decentralization. The soft power that’s been concentrated in executive roles needs to be distributed across stewards, and community.
@owocki will lead vision and values for Gitcoin 3.x. Check out his vision here.
The community drives decisions through governance.
What We Built Together
These two years have been challenging and rewarding for me. I’ve met so many wonderful people at Gitcoin and in the community and am so grateful for every opportunity you’ve given me.
We built processes to improve coordination across workstreams and teams. We bridged communications between the DAO’s Core Stewards, the governance forum, and the Foundation so Gitcoin could operate as a unified network. It still needs work, and I’d invite the community to take further ownership of GTC utility opportunities and onboarding new stewards.
The Grants program has scaled to new heights. We ran successive rounds that funded more public goods than ever, securing record matching funds and reaching more communities. We improved user experience and program integrity, laying groundwork for continued growth.
We streamlined budgets and org structure (including dissolving the old Ecosystem Collective & Grants Lab workstream). We reduced bureaucracy, focused on what works, and tightened cross-team coordination PLUS spun out our Passport product.
Most importantly, we built a stronger working relationship between the Foundation and DAO. The Foundation truly became an enabler of the DAO’s mission – executing community decisions, handling legal/financial necessities, then getting out of the way. We established real trust and alignment that will serve Gitcoin going forward.
These changes weren’t always easy. We faced challenges and growing pains, but each tough conversation ultimately made the org stronger. None of these achievements were mine alone – they were team efforts. Thanks to everyone who poured energy into this progress: workstream leads, core contributors, stewards, and community members. I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done.
Looking Ahead
This transition comes at an exciting time. We’re approaching GG24, and I expect it will showcase how far we’ve come in scaling our impact.
Beyond GG24, I’m so pumped for Gitcoin 3.x and beyond – a new era for the organization. This means continuing to decentralize and mature. The pieces we’ve been working on are coming together. Gitcoin is poised to scale its impact even further in funding public goods. I’m excited to watch this next chapter unfold from a new vantage point.
Thanks for the opportunity to serve this community as a leader. It’s been an honor working alongside so many sharp, passionate people in pursuit of Gitcoin’s mission. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together, and even more excited for what’s coming under community stewardship.
Thank you, Rena, for your leadership (carrying the torch) these past two years. You brought stability, clarity, and heart to a pivotal chapter of Gitcoin’s journey. The systems, trust, and momentum you’ve helped build are a strong foundation for what’s next. If ratified by the community, I’m honored to pick up the torch and keep building on your work. Grateful for everything you’ve done.
Thank you, @deltajuliet, for all you’ve done for Gitcoin. It has been a pleasure working alongside you for these past few years. You have done an incredible amount for this organization, introducing more structure, clearer processes, and keeping us all honest in the work that we’re doing – making sure that we move into a more impact & outcome-orientated culture. Thank you.
I support @owocki stepping into leadership at Gitcoin. I look forward to building Gitcoin 3.0 and continuing to lead the charge on Gitcoin Grants beside you, Owocki.
Thanks @deltajuliet for your work over these years. I have appreciated your support and partnership across the work I personally have done here at Gitcoin and your leadership as Exec. Director.
I support this new structure, with @owocki leading Gitcoin.
to be clear, this would be an executive director role at the gitcoin foundation. the DAO would remain with its own leadership structure (which would hopefully work with me on our shared goals, and that we will figure out an effective x progressively distributed way to share authority and decision making power).
I am so appreciative of the stewardship you have offered Gitcoin during your tenure I hope the next adventure is wonderful and excited that your still in the Gitcoin orbit through the continued board role (and ops support when needed).
Hai @deltajuliet you have had such a huge impact on this community and on me personally. Deep and sincere thanks and appreciation for all that you have done for all of us and for public goods. You took on a difficult role at a difficult time and did it with skill, empathy and humility. Thank you for your leadership and your vision. You are a force of nature and we all were so lucky to work with you. I’m so glad we have stayed in touch, it means the world to me. Onwards.
And yes of course I support @owocki taking on this leadership role. Can’t wait to see what you cook up next ser.
And also so glad @MathildaDV is rocking the grants role. I’m always here for both of you if I can be of service to you or the community in some way. Much love.
Congratulations, Rena, on an incredible run, and thank you for guiding Gitcoin through such an important phase of its journey — making tough, sometimes painful decisions along the way.
It’s inspiring to see the torch passed back to @owocki with such intention, and to know that the groundwork you’ve laid will empower the community for Gitcoin 3.x and beyond.
Grateful for all you’ve done, and excited to see this next chapter unfold.
I fully support this proposal and I think it came in the perfect time as Gitcoin evolves into a Marketplace/Arena of diverse stakeholders funding & building what matters.
I remember like it was yesterday the day @deltajuliet took on the interim role and things have only improved from that day, thanks for all the hard work that is often overlooked as it is not flashy but impactful.
I hope the next adventure is wonderful and excited that your still in the Gitcoin orbit through the continued board role (and ops support when needed).