Wisdom From The Women Leading The Blockchain Revolution, With Dariia Porechna of Autonomys
Stick together and support other women. Lifting up a fellow woman in the space can build lasting connections. In the tight-knit world of web3, these relationships can make a huge difference. Helping others succeed not only strengthens the community but also enriches your own career path.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Dariia Porechna, Head of Protocol at Autonomys.
Dariia Porechna is the Head of Protocol at Autonomys, where she leads the development and implementation of the network’s core technologies, including consensus mechanisms, distributed storage, and scalability solutions. Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, and now residing in Rome, Italy, she holds a degree in Applied Mathematics and Cryptography from Kyiv Polytechnic University. Since joining Autonomys in May 2022, Dariia has played a key role in advancing the project, from conducting research and debugging systems to authoring the new whitepaper, making her a driving force behind the network’s innovation and growth.
Autonomys Boilerplate:
Autonomys Network — the foundation layer for AI3.0 — is a hyper-scalable decentralized AI (deAI) infrastructure stack encompassing high-throughput permanent distributed storage, data availability and access, and modular execution. Our deAI ecosystem provides all the essential components to build and deploy secure super dApps (AI-powered dApps) and on-chain agents, equipping them with advanced AI capabilities for dynamic and autonomous functionality. Our infrastructure is designed to not only support vast present-day use cases with truly decentralized, secure, and scalable solutions but to serve as an optimized environment for future innovation and advancements yet to be discovered.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you share with us the story of how you decided to pursue this career path? What lessons can others learn from your story?
I studied cryptography at Kyiv Polytechnic University, where there are typically three career paths: secret services, academia, or industry. Since I’ve never been one for rigid structures, I quickly ruled out academia and the military. Instead, I joined Wolfram Research, applying my mathematical expertise to enhance Wolfram|Alpha’s natural language processing and world-knowledge systems. It was during this time that I began working with blockchain technology, integrating data from Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and Tezos into Wolfram|Alpha. This experience sparked a realization — I didn’t just want to use blockchains, I wanted to build them. My background in cryptography made it a perfect fit. Ultimately, the lesson I’ve learned is to follow your passion, but also be flexible enough to align your skill set with industry needs to find the perfect role.
Can you tell me about the most interesting projects you are working on now?
Our scalability journey is quite fascinating — we’re not just thinking about transactions per second, but about handling the massive data requirements that AI training demands. The roadmap we’ve developed focuses on progressive scaling through our DSN technology, which is designed to handle everything from basic network operations to complex AI model training data. What really gets me excited is how we’re approaching this in phases, with each phase unlocking new capabilities while maintaining decentralization.
Speaking of exciting developments, our recent partnerships are aligning with our AI vision. We’ve been working closely with teams like Masa, who bring this incredible multimodal data network to the table — think text, video, and audio all flowing through our infrastructure. Then there’s PublicAI, who’s doing amazing things with data annotations and human feedback systems. And ZkAGI — their privacy-first approach using zero-knowledge proofs adds another layer to our AI capabilities.
What makes these partnerships particularly powerful is how they complement our infrastructure. While we provide the foundational layer with our DSN, each partner brings specialized capabilities that enhance our AI integration strategy. It’s like watching puzzle pieces click into place — our scalable infrastructure combined with Masa’s data streams, PublicAI’s validation mechanisms, and ZkAGI’s privacy solutions creates this comprehensive ecosystem for AI3.0.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I’ve been fortunate to have many supportive people in my life — my family, friends, school teachers, and university professors — and I’m deeply grateful for that. Two individuals, in particular, stand out: Kostiantyn Lunov and Stephen Wolfram.
Prof. Lunov was my mentor in my high school’s mechanical engineering club, where he guided me through a project that won awards at national contests and earned me a stipend from Intel. That early success, as a shy high school senior, gave me the confidence to pursue hard tech, even when I was often one of the few girls, and sometimes the only girl, in the room. The stipends I received also helped support me through the beginning of college when my family faced financial difficulties.
Three years into my undergraduate studies, I attended the Wolfram Summer School in the Boston area, marking my first time traveling alone to the U.S. for three weeks. By the end of the program, I was offered a job at Wolfram Research as soon as I finished my degree. That experience was incredibly empowering — it was inspiring to be valued purely for my intellect, without regard for my age, appearance, or background. Working alongside Stephen Wolfram and witnessing his unique approach to research and genuine curiosity has been an honor and a major influence on my journey.
What are the 3 things that most excite you about blockchain and crypto? Why?
What excites me most about blockchain and crypto is its ability to enable grassroots organization, its rapid innovation, and its open-source, collaborative culture. Blockchain has the power to democratize participation on a global scale, allowing anyone, regardless of location or background, to engage in financial systems, governance, and new technologies without the typical barriers of borders or discrimination. The pace of innovation is also extraordinary — cutting-edge research quickly transitions into practical applications, allowing new ideas to be implemented almost in real time, a rarity in traditional industries. Furthermore, the open-source nature of blockchain fosters a global network of collaboration, where developers, researchers, and enthusiasts can contribute to and build upon each other’s work, creating an environment of transparency and shared progress that accelerates the development of groundbreaking technologies.
What are the 3 things that worry you about blockchain and crypto? Why?
What worries me most about blockchain and crypto are centralization, the negative public image, and the current scalability challenges. Despite its decentralized promise, Bitcoin and Ethereum have seen increasing centralization, particularly due to mining power and the difficulty of running nodes, which threatens the very ethos of decentralization that these networks were built on. Additionally, the broader image of crypto is often tainted by its association with fraud, speculation, and regulatory uncertainty. These negative perceptions, along with unclear regulations, make it harder for legitimate projects to gain trust and for mainstream adoption to take hold. Lastly, scalability is a significant concern. As real-world applications place higher demands on blockchain technology, many existing blockchains struggle to handle the required throughput efficiently, meaning current networks are not yet equipped to support the scale of global, everyday use cases without major breakthroughs in performance and capacity.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share a story?
I’ve always believed in using my success to give back, both professionally and personally. As a professional, I’ve mentored young aspiring tech enthusiasts, helping them build confidence and find their place in the tech world, much like my mentors did for me. One of the most rewarding experiences was writing a recommendation letter for a talented young woman, and she was accepted into Columbia University. Seeing her succeed filled me with pride, knowing that I played a small role in her journey. On a personal level, I actively donate to charities that support my home country, helping with war recovery efforts and assisting those who fight to protect it. It’s incredibly important to me to contribute in ways that make a meaningful difference, both for the individuals I mentor and for my community back home.
As you know there are not that many women in your industry. Can you share 5 things that you would advise to other women in the blockchain space to thrive?
For women looking to thrive in the blockchain space, I’d offer five key pieces of advice. First, seek support from local and online communities. Whether it’s a chat group or a local meetup, showing up and participating can help you build a supportive network. You’ll often find that people are welcoming and eager to help, and this can create valuable connections in your career.
Second, stay curious and keep learning. Blockchain is still in its early stages and evolving rapidly, so staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies is essential for long-term success. Being aware of what’s happening in the industry will keep you ahead of the curve and make you a stronger contributor.
Third, cut the Impostor Syndrome. Be confident in your skills — they are yours, and you’ve earned them. You don’t need to check every box to apply for that job; what matters is your ability to learn and grow on the job. Trust in your abilities and don’t hesitate to seize opportunities.
Fourth, be yourself and own your space. Don’t feel the need to imitate others — especially men — in this male-dominated field. It’s important to embrace your strengths and recognize your unique value, without trying to be the best at everything. Knowing where you excel will allow you to stand out authentically.
Lastly, stick together and support other women. Lifting up a fellow woman in the space can build lasting connections. In the tight-knit world of web3, these relationships can make a huge difference. Helping others succeed not only strengthens the community but also enriches your own career path.
Can you advise what is needed to engage more women into the blockchain industry?
To engage more women in the blockchain industry, it’s essential to create supportive communities and networks that foster mentorship and connection among women. This includes promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives within organizations, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives in technology. Educational programs tailored specifically for women, such as workshops and coding boot camps, can help bridge the skills gap and build confidence in their technical abilities. Additionally, showcasing successful women in the blockchain space through media and events can inspire future generations and challenge stereotypes. Outreach efforts targeting young girls, including school programs and hackathons, can spark interest in blockchain early on, making the path to a career in this field more accessible and appealing. By implementing these strategies, we can create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for women in blockchain.
What is your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share a story of how that had relevance to your own life?
Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat, meaning “Fortune Favors the Bold” is my motto. I try to put my foot into as many open doors as I can and say “yes” to any opportunity. The more you try the higher chance to succeed and the cooler stories to tell! Of course, unless it’s literally dangerous.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
If I could start a movement to bring about significant positive change, it would focus on democratizing access to digital knowledge and tools. In today’s world, digital literacy is essential, yet a concerning percentage of people remain passive consumers of the powerful computers in their pockets — their smartphones. This underutilization prevents individuals from fully harnessing technology’s potential to improve their lives and contribute to society. By providing education and resources to help people understand and navigate the digital landscape, we can empower them to become creators, innovators, and informed citizens. This movement would aim to break down barriers, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background or socioeconomic status, has the opportunity to develop essential digital skills and access the tools needed to thrive in an increasingly tech-driven world. You never know how this knowledge could trigger new ideas and initiatives, ultimately leading to a more informed, engaged, and capable society.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariia-porechna/
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
