In Conversation with Jillian Godsil Founder Blockleaders

In Conversation with Jillian Godsil Founder Blockleaders

Blockchain News Women In Blockchain
September 12, 2019 by Editor's Desk
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We had the pleasure of interviewing Jillian Godsil. She is a Blockchain Advocate, Founder, Conference Chair, Women in Blockchain Advocate, Keynote Speaker, Crypto Journalist, Broadcaster, CEO, Writer, Homelessness Advocate, Former European Parliament Candidate, Law Changer, Mother, Choir Member, Hill Walker, Dreamer Jillian has held senior positions with global PR companies in Sydney, Singapore, London and
Jillian Godsil Blockleaders

We had the pleasure of interviewing Jillian Godsil. She is a Blockchain Advocate, Founder, Conference Chair, Women in Blockchain Advocate, Keynote Speaker, Crypto Journalist, Broadcaster, CEO, Writer, Homelessness Advocate, Former European Parliament Candidate, Law Changer, Mother, Choir Member, Hill Walker, Dreamer

Jillian has held senior positions with global PR companies in Sydney, Singapore, London and Dublin. She was PRO of Iona Technologies (Ireland’s first company to float on NASDAQ). She changed the law in Ireland in 2014 and is a former European Parliamentary candidate (as an independent).

She is a co founder and journalist in the Blockleaders.io. She freelances for Irish Tech News, Irish Central, The Irish Independent and The Irish Times. She has her own radio shows on DublinCityFM and EastCoastFM. Her first job after graduating from Trinity College was as a systems analyst with JP Morgan. 

She is advisor to a number of ICOs, has been named a Crypto Queen by In Zero Conferences as well as listed in the 50 most influential women in the global blockchain rollcall. She is named amongst the top 10 people in Blockchain in Ireland. She was voted into the top 20 global Hedera Hashgraph Ambassadors in 2018. She is a board member of EOS Dublin. She is a community leader for Algorand. She is chain agnostic while she loves blockchain.

She has been shortlisted for the Image Business Woman of Year and also shortlisted for Woman of the Year by Women in IT in 2018. She made the top 100 Global Blockchain Leaders list for 2019 for Lattice80 report.

She is passionate about getting women into blockchain – democratising opportunity for all women.

She keynotes and chairs blockchain events around the world – including Kiev, Austin, Muscat, Columbo, Dubai, Capetown, Liberland, Dublin and London.

  • Can you tell us what inspired you to pursue this career path? What do you want others to take from your story?

2011 I lost everything – home, marriage, business.

2014 I fought back – changed the law in Ireland and ran in the European Parliamentary Elections.  

2017 I met blockchain and I said Mama I’ve come home! 

Just keep going!

  • Could you tell us about any of the interesting projects that you are working on currently?

EOS Dublin – block producers and developers on the EOSIO blockchain. In particular a project called EuropeChain which offers GDPR compliant blockchain. 

Blockleaders.io – a news and feature site on Blockchain

Consol Freight – about to change the face of freight forwarding using blockchain

Mogu – innovating the way we use routers and data

CoinBurp – an easy to use cryptocurrency site based in the UK

And many more…

  • Is there a particular person who you would like to credit with helping you get to where you are? Can you share an anecdote about that?

Fran Rooney, a well known Irish businessman an entrepreneur, invited me to join an Irish ICO. It was a great opportunity to fast track my learning and interest in Blockchain. It was my break if you will.

  • What are the 5 things that you think are most fascinating about blockchain and crypto? Why?
  1. The people – they are awesome (even the bad actors are interesting)
  2. The projects – so clever at rethinking the world
  3. The thinking – or rather the unthinking of how the world is run – and could be run
  4. The energy – so fresh and powerful. Jaded is so fiat!
  5. The hope – genuine hope for a better world
  • What are the 5 things that concern you about blockchain and crypto? Why?
  1. The FUD – aimed at this sector makes it hard for ordinary people to get involved
  2. The scammers – they do exist and make it hard for ordinary people to get involved
  3. The FOMOs – again they put off ordinary folk
  4. The Lambos – not sure I want a Lambo
  5. The trips to the moon – I’m pretty fond of earth myself
  • How have you used your success to bring positive change to the world? Can you share a story?

I advocate strongly for ordinary folk to get involved so we can right the pernicious dive to inequality.  I also advocate for women to get involved – even or rather especially old birds like me!

  • What are the 3 things that you would advise someone who aspires to emulate your career? Can you share an example for each idea?
  • Work hard – the world of blockchain is 24×7 and that takes some adjustment, but it is worth it.
  • Never give up – all through the crypto winter it might have been tempting to give up but those who stay the course win the honours.
  • Be kind – the reason we are all on the earth is to be kind to one another. Have your dream, fight your battle and follow your passion but be kind always
  • What is the one “Life Lesson Quote” that you stand by? Can you tell us how that had relevance to your own life?

When things are tough I often quote my mother – “Every onward and upwards, maybe sideways but never backwards.”

Actually, I was often going in reverse during my decade horrible but that quote helped me pretend I was still okay! 

  • Who would be one person in the world that you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why?

Stephen Fry – I love his intelligence, humour and his language – I could listen to him all day

  • Where can our readers find you on social media? 

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