7 UP: A Conversation with…Thessy Mehrain, ConsenSys
Thessy Mehrain is a user experience designer and product strategist for ConsenSys. She creates experiences for enterprises that look to gain efficiency and transparency via the blockchain, and designs products that are uniquely enabled by blockchain technology to disrupt existing markets or create new ones. Mehrain holds a Masters degree in Human-Computer Interaction. Prior to joining ConsenSys, she was VP of User Experience/Product Strategy at JPMorganChase for 6 years, partnered in a consultancy, and had a start-up which co-created a scientific peer review system/digital library for the Association of Computing and Machinery (ACM).
Working at the intersection of technology, transaction and social change, she promotes diversity as essential to creating a world that works for everyone. She taught UN teams innovation methodologies, works with the Alternative Banking Group on financial inclusion, consults on Women’s Leadership and started the NYC Women-in-Blockchain Meetup.
She talked with Block Tribune about the challenges of women in technology.
BLOCK TRIBUNE: Is discrimination the only reason there isn’t gender parity in the sciences and math?
THESSY MEHRAIN: The issue of gender parity is itself ambiguous, as the data is contradictory and region-specific. I’ll focus on computer science, as this seems to be where gender imbalance is most prevalent, according to the National Science Foundation statistics of Bachelors degree graduates, which shows gender parity in biosciences, social sciences, and mathematics, but shows men greatly outnumber women in computer science and geoscience,
Ironically, it was women who pioneered the field of computer science – women like Ada Lovelace (ADA), Jean Jennings Bartik (ENIAC), and Grace Hopper (COBOL). But it was men who were pictured in the literature, establishing the image of a computer scientist being male. (You can read about these women in Walter Isaacson’s book, The Innovators.) Today, women who want to enter the field have few role models to go by. Whether to call uninviting environments “discrimination” is a choice. But the image of the male computer scientist, and with that the imbalance, will remain unless we learn to appreciate a female approach as equally important.
BLOCK TRIBUNE: Is traditional tech an “old boys club?” Define that and tell us how it works against women.
THESSY MEHRAIN: “Old boy’s clubs” exist everywhere, not just tech. They exclude not only women, but also diverse ethnicities and cultures, LGBTQ, physical abilities, and so on. The reason for this might be that it’s just easier to work with people who are like you – who have the same worldview, style, priorities, etc. So if “outsiders” have to adapt to the club’s values to fit in and succeed, society loses the most precious gift anyone can contribute, which is their uniqueness and who they are.
I believe that having to fit in doesn’t work for anyone, let alone women, even though these ‘old boys’ might superficially appear to be the winners. Plus, there’s enough evidence that diversity in corporations achieves better results. Rather than worrying about the “old boy’s club,” I focus on creating inclusive work environments, and not just for women.
BLOCK TRIBUNE: Why is the blockchain industry different?
THESSY MEHRAIN: Just because the technology is blockchain, the environment doesn’t automatically become inclusive. But blockchain is a technology that empowers global, self-organizing collaboration.
Generally in society, I observe a shift from centralized structures to decentralized fluidity, perhaps comparable to moving from a more male top-down system towards a more female one, based on the enabling technology of first the web, and now blockchain. It allows us to move away from traditional corporations, with their top-down structures designed to manage a unified workforce at the expense of individuality. It’s a move towards the blockchain, which empowers global collaboration among diverse people.
The difference in the blockchain industry is that it attracts people who value decentralization and are comfortable with the concept. At ConsenSys (where I am a member), which is a flat organization, we explore new organization styles with the mesh, a participatory, inclusive, and transparent governance structure.
BLOCK TRIBUNE: Did you recruit the women in your company?
THESSY MEHRAIN: Recruiting is a group effort at ConsenSys and I am always looking for interesting candidates, answer their questions and follow their interview process.Talent is invited to apply for jobs we post on https://consensys.net/open-
BLOCK TRIBUNE: Tell us about your efforts in the industry and outside of it to recruit more women into technology.
THESSY MEHRAIN: I started the Women in Blockchain meet-up in NYC to encourage women to strengthen their voice, define and express their passion and hopes for the technology, and to network. It’s a refreshing space where women educate each other and learn about blockchain projects, new ideas and collaborations. It is also a recruiting pipeline for women interested in working with blockchain, be it for Consensys, our sponsors or our speakers’ companies.
It has been gratifying to hear women say how they appreciate this group, being used to being the only woman in the room when talking about blockchain technology. And while this meet up is primarily for those who identify as women, all are invited.
I have also worked with the Women’s Leadership Center of Omega, a variety of networks for women on Wall Street and It’s Time Network, and mentored a few young women over the years, all rewarding experiences.
BLOCK TRIBUNE: There is an imbalance in college graduates between men and women. How soon will that imbalance turn into a dominance of women in technology?
THESSY MEHRAIN: There is no danger of women dominating technology any time soon, nor is that the goal. If anything, the goal is diversity….think of nature and robust outcomes of bio-diversity. The only dominance I like to see is that of most meaningful connections, collaborations, and equality.
BLOCK TRIBUNE: What sparked your interest in technology and what did you face coming up in the field?
THESSY MEHRAIN: My experience in the field mirrors that of other women. It ranged from infuriating and frustrating, to encountering very supportive male and female allies.
My interest has always been in creating innovative solutions to improve lives, provide access, and create community.
First, it was the Internet and my passion for a space that seemed without borders, in line with my view of the world, and the distribution of my family and friends. After that space was monopolized and monetized, I felt the urgency to get it right this time. That’s where my passion lies for the ethereum blockchain, where we create tools to interact globally in new ways. I am very excited about these opportunities and I know that spark is contagious.
