Cardano Foundation prepares for smart contracts and DApps, appoints CEO and Head of Growth

21 SEPTEMBER 2020. Ahead of the rollout of smart contracts, decentralized applications, and the onboarding of new ecosystem participants, the Cardano Foundation — the organization governing the Cardano blockchain — is strengthening its management by appointing two leaders formerly of Big Four professional services firm PwC, from the Blockchain and Digital Services team.

The Swiss-based Foundation names Frederik Gregaard as its first Chief Executive Officer. Frederik, former Head of Digital Financial Services at PwC, will be a driving force for the Foundation, setting the strategic direction and providing leadership as Cardano approaches several crucial development milestones. Working alongside an expanding global team of 30 people, he will advise the Cardano Foundation’s Council while spearheading adoption and co-creation with enterprise.

Eva Oberholzer, former Head of Communications at PwC Switzerland, and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at SEBA Bank, joins the Cardano Foundation as its Head of Growth to drive future expansion and adoption of Cardano. Eva will represent all Cardano stakeholders, including the professional community, institutions, and strategic partners; meeting their needs at the management level and creating new opportunities for the Cardano blockchain.

Both appointments go into effect in October.

These long-planned appointments are in direct response to the Cardano Foundation’s priorities of overseeing a timely and orderly rollout of Cardano’s enterprise functionalities. This will include acquiring additional expertise and skillsets, solidifying the Foundation’s organizational structure, and transitioning into the fourth phase of its development. The upcoming development milestones for Cardano will usher in smart contracts, decentralized applications, and a focus on the Cardano Foundation’s new enterprise partners.

Nathan Kaiser, Chairperson of the Cardano Foundation, says:

“With these appointments, we are further strengthening our leadership function and I am honored that Frederik and Eva are bringing their passion to Cardano. The Cardano ecosystem not only gains two long-term professionals in the blockchain industry, but also two experts in digital transformation. I am confident that with Frederik’s vision — combined with his extensive experience in blockchain — the Foundation will continue to push forward its missions. Likewise, Eva’s arrival cements our growth strategy to drive adoption of Cardano among corporates and in regulated industries.

Frederik Gregaard, Chief Executive Officer of the Cardano Foundation:

“I am delighted and honored to join the Cardano Foundation and advance its core missions, which I see as crucial to building a strong digital asset ecosystem and the future financial infrastructure backbone. The Foundation has a dedicated and high-caliber talent base, which will take Cardano to new heights, together with our enthusiastic community. I am joining the Cardano Foundation during a paradigm shift in Cardano’s functionality and useability, and I anticipate that the next few years will be a significant growth period for the protocol.”

To find out more about the Cardano Foundation’s recent appointments, please read our official press release.