Hello everyone! Bakyt here. I have joined the Cardano Foundation in May 2019 to lead the integrated global public relations, communications and marketing function. I am based in London, a city I have called home for 14 years. My main priority is to raise the Foundation’s profile through robust communications strategy and lead a team of talented individuals with whom we will further drive the community adoption of Cardano. You can read the formal appointment release (and other official announcements from the Foundation) here.

Together with my team, we work on initiatives to increase brand awareness and strengthen our position in the industry. We have lots of projects ahead of us and most of them require time and hard work. Therefore, patience, perseverance, enthusiasm and diligence are key. My team and our community are extremely diverse in all senses—different viewpoints, genders, cultural backgrounds and so on—making inclusiveness a paramount.

Some of you might already know that I came to the Cardano Foundation from EY. At former Ernst & Young, I led media relations of the global Strategy and Transactions practice focusing on mergers and acquisitions, divestments and private equity. Before joining the corporate world, I spent years as a journalist across broadcast, newswire and print publications and covered debt capital markets, equities, derivatives, structured finance, economy and science. My experience in journalism—besides interviewing some historical figures—helped me in the corporate world more than I give it a credit for.

While I have heard a lot about blockchain at EY, I did not really have a blockchain experience until a few years ago. Here is what happened. I was on vacation reading Chingiz Aitmatov’s Cassandra’s Mark by the beach when my phone rang. A colleague in New York asked if I can lead the communications strategy for “a major blockchain solution for a major client”. I agreed without asking any questions.

After hanging up, I received a 6,000-word technical manual on what this solution offers and how it works. (Really?!) The catch was that this has been in the works for five months and I only had three weeks to come up with a strategy and implement it. To make matters complicated, there were seven other companies involved. Long story short, the launch went successful and I have learned a great deal about blockchain and a 400-year old marine insurance sector.

It was Insurwave, the world’s first blockchain platform for marine insurance industry, and is currently in commercial use by Maersk (Mærsk A/S).

Working in collaboration with our strategic partners – EMURGO and IOHK, I hope to build-on to the success already achieved and help bring Cardano to enterprises for commercial use as well and add value in line with our vision. In addition to businesses, we hope to make Cardano a blockchain for the nations and that journey has already begun.

Besides work, I enjoy travelling, reading and, occasionally, cooking. I equally enjoy a beach vacation or a city trip as well as camping in a yurt high up in the Kyrgyz mountains drinking mare’s fermented milk. I love books, programmes and films about space. I think our Universe is fascinating beyond our comprehension. While I do not cook often, I like preparing Dymdama – with lots and lots of spices – when I have time. For anyone interested in cooking this gastronomical pyramid – a typical Central Asian dish, click here for the recipe. As a kid, I dreamed of becoming a cardio surgeon and treat everyone. That is all about me in a nutshell.

Oh, and to put the age-related discussions to bed, I was born in 1983.

Best,

Bakyt