As part of the talent that helped grow Nifty Gateway into a top-tier company, Ashley Ramos focuses on strategic partnerships built to deliver substantial and tangible results.
Harper’s Bazaar had a chance to meet Ashley Ramos, a leading woman entrepreneur and the CEO of Cur8 Web3 fund and consulting agency. She has recently been accepted into the Forbes Business Council as a leader in the Fintech and Web3 Finance industry.
Dear Ashley Ramos, what motivated you to step up and become a leader in the Tech and Finance industries?
Initially, Tech and Finance weren’t on my radar. At my core, I am creative. Most of my early career was focused on unlocking creative potential in amazing humans. I love doing that. Fintech and Blockchain in particular allowed me to merge them, and I began to see a bigger picture.
While at Gemini, I recognized the potential applications to antiquated analog industry processes that could be systematized through emerging technology. My desire is to better support creative participants to engage people in new ways while building awareness through advocacy and leadership. I saw that future, and I felt a call to meet it. It’s important that women and people from diverse communities take leadership roles in industries building our future. People with different perspectives, assets, and needs, are the keys to productive innovation for an inclusive future.
Can you talk to us about your background in art and how it led you to where you are now?
I was an art curator who focused on supporting artists with growth initiatives. I spent years doing that while recognizing the art community isn’t designed to support all artists equally. That awareness opened my eyes to what a more equitable future could look like.
Do you have any inspirations in the tech field? If so, how have they inspired you to take the steps you’ve taken to get where you are?
I have recently been learning about Mary-Catherine Lader and her entry into blockchain via Uniswap. I think it’s inspiring to see a well-educated woman leave traditional wall street, a behemoth like Black Rock, and champion technology of the future. I like the concept of being young, taking risks, and being unapologetic about it.
It further validates my desire to continue building my knowledge and fostering incredible relationships. That’s why C8W3 is the perfect complement to my career. I can leverage my experience and network to deliver value while learning and discovering talented people daily. I see an opportunity for emerging creators to provide tremendous value to known creatives and their audiences. It is applicable in multiple industries. I hope to have more to share on that in the near future.
What kind of challenges do you face in 2022 in your career?
2022 has been challenging for everyone given the macro backdrop, volatility in markets, and all the scandals that have plagued crypto companies. It was particularly pivotal for my career as I left the exchange side of the industry and focused on entrepreneurial opportunities to help institutional, corporate, and academic clients into the world of Web3. I look forward to next year furthering my transition in strategic initiatives with our clients and investments.
With the social and professional expectations put on women in your field, how do you go about managing all of it while maintaining your own sense of peace and mental clarity?
Plan the work, work the plan. I work diligently and try not to overload the “opportunity hunting”. I try to give myself consistent small enough goals while building towards the bigger picture which will come together over time. I keep it simple, allowing me time to enjoy myself outside of work.
Do you find that more and more women are breaking away from the archetype of what a woman is expected to be/look like in the modern era of Fintech and executive levels of leadership?
Yes, women like Mary-Catherine Lader and others becoming leading executives in the industry didn’t find their ideals reflected in traditional finance. So they went to where they aligned. Arts applications of Web3 technology further changed the women interested in joining the industry. I think that trend is growing as we’re in such early stages of Web3 and users don’t need to have substantial funding or corporate backing to build upon the emerging platforms. That’s a core value of Web3, access for all.
What are some of the projects you plan to get involved with in the future?
I am under NDA in the companies I am presently involved in and/or exploring. I really like what ReMaster is doing. I think they have a great view of the space and how stakeholders can have their interests aligned. The companies focused on humanizing this tech, allowing it to be easily understood and used by anyone are amongst the most compelling.