1,000 Dreams Fund Kicks Off Our Women in Web3 and AI Fellowship at Event powered by Ripple
L to R: Jessica Rossman, Lena Grundhoefer, Mayukha Vadari, Sasha Tsiatsera, Zoë Nawar, Christie Garton, Lauren Berta
On March 5, 2025, in honor of International Women’s Day, 1,000 Dreams Fund (1DF) partnered with Ripple and The Giving Block to host an exclusive event: “Building the Future Web3 & AI Workforce.”
Held at Ripple’s headquarters in New York City, this gathering brought together 1,000 Dreams Fund founder and CEO Christie Garton along with aspiring women in Web3 and AI, industry leaders, and mentors to share insights, offer guidance, and celebrate the future of diversity in tech. 1,000 Dreams Fund also celebrated artist, Sara Baumann, and her Women and Weapons community.
She was gracious enough to auction off a custom digital portrait that benefitted the Future Fund during this past giving season. Her art was displayed digitally throughout the event, depicting how the power of art and technology in the hands of women can leave a lasting and positive impact on the world.
Industry Leaders Share Insights & Expertise
The event featured a stellar lineup of panelists and speakers, including:
- Alice Chen – Story, Head of Business Development
- Isha Varshney – Celo Foundation, Head of Ecosystem
- Lena Grundhoefer – OFFLINE, Co-Founder
- Mayukha Vadari – Ripple, Senior Software Engineer
- Sasha Tsiatsera – Mastercard, Director of Product Development
- Zoë Nawar (moderator) – The Giving Block, Partnerships Business Development
These industry leaders shared their experiences and expertise, providing attendees with a deeper understanding of career pathways in Web3 and AI, as well as practical advice on breaking into the blockchain technology space.
Big News for Our Future Fund Fellowship
A highlight of the event was the announcement that applications are now open for 1DF’s Future Fund Fellowship, a groundbreaking initiative to support young women pursuing careers in Web3 and AI.
Fellowship Benefits:
- $1,000 Microgrant to support education and training in Web3 & AI
- One-on-One Mentorship with top industry executives
- Career Opportunities including internships and apprenticeships in Web3 and blockchain-related fields
Why This Matters
Women are still found in fewer numbers in tech and finance. Limited research indicates “that women hold some 26% of all jobs in the crypto industry, while only about 6% of the top leadership roles are held by women, with 94% of CEOs being male,” according to Cointelegraph. Moreover, a Deloitte study in 2023 highlights the gender gap in fintech, stating that 30% of the fintech workforce is female and only 17% of senior fintech roles are held by women, while Ernst & Young supported a similar picture.
The Future Fund Fellowship was launched to help address this issue by ensuring that women earlier in their education and training have the awareness, resources and mentorship to confidently thrive in these cutting-edge industries.
Our fellowship is more than just a program — it’s a movement to empower the next generation of women to lead in Web3, blockchain, and AI. We invite you to support this transformative journey!