About Us

Intro

Our organization was founded in 2019 by a group of blockchain enthusiasts who saw the potential of this transformative technology to change the world. Since then, we have grown to become a thriving community of blockchain professionals, with a diverse membership that includes entrepreneurs, investors, developers, educators, and other blockchain enthusiasts.

Vision

At the Boston Blockchain Association, our vision is to create a thriving blockchain ecosystem that drives innovation, economic growth, and social impact throughout the Greater Boston area.

We believe that blockchain technology has the potential to transform the way we interact with each other and the world around us. From finance and healthcare to education and social services, blockchain has the power to enable new forms of collaboration, transparency, and trust that can revolutionize the way we live and work.

Our goal is to help unlock this potential by fostering a community of like-minded individuals, businesses, and organizations who share a passion for blockchain and its possibilities. Through our various events, initiatives, and partnerships, we aim to connect people, ideas, and resources to build a vibrant and sustainable blockchain ecosystem that benefits all members of our community.

Whether you are an innovator, entrepreneur, policymaker, or simply curious about the future of blockchain, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey. Together, we can create a better, more equitable, and more prosperous future for all.

Mission

At the Boston Blockchain Association, our mission is to promote the use and adoption of blockchain technology for the benefit of society, while fostering an inclusive and collaborative community of blockchain enthusiasts and experts.

We believe that blockchain has the power to transform the way we conduct business, exchange value, and interact with each other. By enabling trust, transparency, and security, blockchain can unlock new opportunities and create new forms of value that can benefit individuals, organizations, and communities alike.

Our goal is to help accelerate the adoption of blockchain by providing education, networking, and advocacy for businesses, organizations, and individuals interested in exploring its potential. Through our events, initiatives, and partnerships, we aim to empower our members with the knowledge, resources, and connections they need to succeed in the fast-evolving world of blockchain technology.

We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community, and to engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of blockchain are accessible to all. Our vision is to create a vibrant and sustainable blockchain ecosystem that benefits our members and the broader society, and we are dedicated to making that vision a reality.

Join us in our mission to build a better, more innovative, and more equitable future with blockchain technology.

Staff

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Mike Wise

Head of Partnerships

As Head of Partnerships, Mike is an ambassador for the BBA in the global blockchain and Web3 communities with a focus on strategic connections that catalyze the development of the emerging blockchain innovation ecosystem.

Recognizing the transformative potential of blockchain for B2B and B2C enterprises, Mike was inspired to take the MIT Sloan Blockchain Technologies course. After attending Boston Blockchain Week 2019, Mike volunteered to assist with events and social media, later accepting a position as Chairman of the Board, a role which he fulfilled from Summer 2020 until Fall of 2021.

Mike is an executive communicator with extensive experience assisting industry leaders to address the challenges associated with technological transition. He has led change management efforts in enabling web-connected enterprise, from technology sales management, global insurance best practices, eCommerce, and social media strategy.

Mike believes the organization’s educational mission is critical to help business and enterprise leaders understand the value of web3 and blockchain technologies to the future of industry. He holds firm to the vision that in 5 years we will no longer be talking about blockchain in isolation, instead it will be a presumed component of the business technology stack, with the Blockchain Community of Greater Boston as the catalyst of transformative innovation.

Board

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Lynne Marlor

Chair of the Board

As Chairwoman of the Board, Lynne drives the vision, strategy, and growth of the Association.

Lynne joined the BBA in 2021 to engage with the Boston community and further her professional knowledge in the applications of blockchain technology.

A former institutional banker, Lynne has an extensive background in capital markets, liquidity, payments, FX, and back and middle office systems. As an entrepreneur, she helps institutions and corporations navigate the blockchain and digital asset space from concept to execution.

Lynne is committed to enabling a better world for everyone powered by blockchain.

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Sam Nathans

Vice-Chair of the Board

As Vice-Chair of the Board and Co-Chair of the Strategic Development Committee, Sam works to inspire development and facilitate execution of medium-to-long term goals and initiatives with a focus on resources and community tools.

One of the first attending members of the Boston Blockchain Association, Sam volunteered in the creation of the organization's virtual events infrastructure in early 2020 and later that year was invited to join the association's governance body.

Sam is a Systems Architect with over a decade of experience in applied research and use-case design of decentralized technologies in both industry and civics.

In his passion for the intersection of technology, philosophy, economics, and legal systems, Sam is motivated in the development of educational resources and in the cross-collaboration between academic research and industry communities.

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Heather Lowe

Secretary

Heather Lowe serves as Secretary of the BBA, helping ensure that the non-profit organization continues to provide educational and community-building benefits to all of its members and the Boston community as a whole.

Heather joined the BBA and its events committee shortly after returning to the Boston area in Spring of 2022, and joined the Board as its Secretary in January 2023.

When not engaged with BBA activities, Heather is a Senior Attorney at Gravis Law, supporting start-up and early stage blockchain/digital asset companies as they bring their innovative ideas to life, as well as assisting other corporate and non-profit clients with their business law needs.

Heather loves to learn through engaging discussions, and works to support the BBA’s focus on monthly in-person and online events as a way to stimulate ideas and action in the community.

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Eric Roux

Treasurer

As a founding Board Member, Eric served initially as Corporate Secretary and now as Treasurer—both roles integral to the foundation of the organization’s activities and strategic initiatives.

Returning from Europe—during a time of fervent and emergent innovation in blockchain—Eric joined a group of like-minded individuals, exploring the technology’s potential for impact. These meetings catalyzed the establishment of a “Boston Blockchain Association” as a community, resource, and contributor for economic development in Massachusetts, where he has fostered professional relationships and friendships over the past 5 years.

With extensive domestic and International Financial Services experience, Eric’s career has focused on regulation, innovation, and technology-driven transformation. His commitment to service has inspired him to participate in non-profit boards and leadership over the past 15 years.

Eric believes that blockchain technology will prove transformational at an institutional level, where it will have the greatest impact, and often meets with government and regulatory communities to connect and inspire their engagement.

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John Hargrave

Co-Chair of Membership Comittee

CEO of MEDIA SHOWER, the blockchain media company. Publisher of BITCOIN MARKET JOURNAL, trusted by 100,000 blockchain investors monthly. Author of the bestseller BLOCKCHAIN FOR EVERYONE (Simon & Schuster, July 2019). Leader of the Blockchain Revolution.

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Doug Mehne

Co-Chair of the Program Development Committee

Doug co-chairs the Program Development Committee and is responsible for leading events for the BBA. He will align programming to the BBA charter, market adoption, the Boston and New England blockchain and digital asset communities, and related market innovations.

Doug joined the BBA in 2021, and has been volunteering since early in 2022. His interest in the BBA has come from exposure to a variety of state and regional blockchain associations and his 20 years in the fintech and financial services markets based in Boston.

For three decades, Doug held leadership roles focused on technology and innovation in financial services, including leading the development and growth of new and existing businesses within fintechs and global custody banks.

Doug's passion is in the crossover of technology, financial services, innovation, and growth. He believes the BBA can be the conduit to bring market participants together leveraging the unique Boston and New England communities; to share best practices, innovations, and knowledge related to market developments, adoption, and shared interests.

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AJ Debole

Co-Chair of the Strategic Development Committee

As the Co-Chair of the Strategic Development Committee, AJ facilitates development and design of strategic initiatives.

AJ joined the BBA in 2022.

AJ believes blockchain and cryptocurrency can empower everyday people to exercise more control of their banking and personal information which will lead to a more transparent and equitable global economy.