Topl Spotlight #3: Reinventing LATAM Economics With ImpactScope’s Susana González

Topl Spotlight showcases innovators and changemakers who are reimagining economic systems through web3 technologies. Today, we’re excited to highlight Susana Vanessa González Nexans, a Venezuelan founder, regenerative finance (ReFi) advocate, and the head of LATAM partnerships at ImpactScope. Her areas of expertise include communication, social media, transmedia narratives, relationship building, and entrepreneurship. Susana believes in knowledge-sharing through captivating stories and is working towards a better world using web3 for sustainability.

Can you introduce yourself and talk about your experience in web3?

My name is Susana Vanessa González Nexans, and for over a decade, I’ve been dedicated to sustainability. In 2015, I founded an educational venture in Venezuela and I joined the United Nations University in Caracas as a project manager, a position I held until early this year. Later in 2019, I set up a coworking space in my hometown, San Antonio de los Altos.

My official journey into web3 began in October of last year, and attending Devcon proved to be a turning point. There, I connected with inspiring individuals and projects in the space. Around that time, I also joined ImpactScope as Head of Partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean. Committed to the mission of impact tools and web3, I’m determined to focus my efforts in this direction in everything I do!

What sparked your interest in the intersection of blockchain and impact?

My impact moment happened in 2014, during a defining period in Venezuela. Many people from my generation were leaving the country, and I was often asked, “When are you leaving, and where are you going?” Despite this pressure, I felt like I didn’t really want to go. This internal struggle made me realize that staying just out of stubbornness wasn’t exactly the smartest thing to do. Instead, I chose to change my reality and began focusing on making a positive impact.

Over time, I explored open-source tools, sustainability, and impact projects. When the pandemic struck, I discovered the potential of blockchain, web3, and regenerative technologies. It felt like a natural fit for me. I believe anyone working on impact should feel comfortable learning about blockchain and possibly incorporating it into their projects. If they don’t, it’s like when people don’t like avocados — it’s just a bit strange, haha! 🥑

How do you think blockchain technology is transforming traditional economic systems?

I feel that the Global South has this peculiarity, perhaps not that present in the Global North. For people in regions like LATAM — facing high inflation and strict currency restrictions — blockchain represents financial freedom and access. Simply put, what drives the adoption of the technology in the region is its potential to help people overcome economic challenges. That’s why tools like stablecoins or wallets for receiving foreign payments are much more popular than just crypto investments or NFTs.

But as an advocate of web3 technology, I’m sure we can provide even more than that. More than anything, we should focus on education around the core decentralized features and their ability to fight more systemic problems, like bureaucracy, corruption, or resource exploitation. Trust will be key in this process, but I believe we can start a shift with a grassroots approach and by showcasing real impact. People are used to the status quo and won’t look for solutions unless presented with them. That’s where we have to work harder.

I see many entrepreneurs prioritize short-term gains. They look at daily revenue without assessing their expenses and profits, which can result in poor business management. With regenerative approaches and blockchain, we can inspire individuals to embrace a regenerative approach that is more integral and long-term, transforming their businesses for the better.

What are the benefits of this holistic, long-term thinking?

First, regeneration is a business opportunity — with blockchain being the catalyst. In the face of a global economic downturn caused by war, COVID, and other factors, LATAM has been hit hard, making web3 a valuable opportunity for growth.

Second, regeneration has a triple impact: It’s restoring the earth, society, and politics — and not only its agents and stakeholders. It can empower people to better coordinate within communities and understand how their participation actually happens. To me, this is particularly important, considering we are in a region where populism has become the mandate for governments. People are confused about what left or right is; they just want to have someone that’s cool and represents their values — or fears — in their political decisions.

Democracy isn’t just about having the person who got the most votes in power. We are so used to thinking that if someone got 51% of the votes, they’re the ones supposed to rule without any regard for the 49%. Web3 can empower us to listen to our voices and allow us to educate ourselves and participate better.

What are you currently working on?

At ImpactScope, we’re working on various projects, including apps that encourage sustainable actions by awarding NFTs to participants. We’re teaming up with initiatives like Football for Forests, which motivates young people to be more eco-friendly and rewards them with tokens. Our top priority is the development of Dynamic Proof of Impact NFTs, which showcase the ongoing positive impact of our collaborations with partners like Takataka Plastics in Uganda. These tokens evolve every week to reflect the progress made in the environment, job market, and local community.

I’m also working to help launch a ReFi DAO node here in the Gran Caracas area. This includes my hometown, which is in the mountains and has a large farmer population — an ideal spot to start regeneration! Venezuela’s agriculture has suffered over the past years; it became cheaper to import goods, and local production got expensive and started disappearing. I hope we can reverse this trend; we’ll begin with a boot camp at my coworking space, followed by an event involving a university and key stakeholders, including businesses already contributing to regeneration, without realizing they do.

What advice would you give to those exploring the blockchain for impact space?

Everything is going to sound fishy at first, but you have to keep learning more to understand. It’s a learning curve, and web3 isn’t as complicated as it seems — it’s just the first mouthful that’s going to be difficult to swallow! The technical parts can take you some time, but you need to grasp those, too, because you won’t be able to see the full picture without them. So, don’t get discouraged. Keep learning, and look for the right people in the space to follow.

Trust me, once you start, it’ll feel like riding a bike.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I ask when I need to ask. “Don’t look at me like that; I’m a normie,” I always say. Honestly, it’s the only way to keep learning. Don’t worry about not being an expert — no one is. It’s an evolving industry. Particularly in the ReFi space, people are always happy to help. No one is going to close the doors; instead, they’ll reach out to open them for you, so take advantage of that.

How do you stay on top of things happening in the space? Who do you follow?

I love the ReFi DAO roundup; it’s weekly and always written by a different person, so you get a lot of different perspectives. Web3ForGood is also a great resource, and from podcasts, I can recommend Crypto Altruism. The World Economic Forum has a department specifically researching blockchain and is doing a great job, especially with the recent report. I also like reading about the broader blockchain space — not just ReFi — and also popular outlets like New York Times and Washington Post. It’s always good to see how they approach web3.

What excites you the most about the future of web3?

Change. Web3 is going through a transformative change. Many of the things that have been implemented have indeed failed — but there are new innovative solutions and approaches are constantly coming. I’m also curious about AI’s role, but for now, we have to wait, see, and collaborate. Still, I acknowledge that in the next two years, both in web3 and generally, we should be cautious. Let’s take opportunities but also be mindful of challenges in establishing trust when handling someone else’s assets and data.

I’m also excited about new spaces for open and honest communication in web3. We shouldn’t compete over who knows more but create genuine dialogue during events and casual gatherings. By encouraging people to lower their defenses and speak their minds, we can unlock the true potential of communities. The future of web3 is not only about technological advancements but also about cultivating meaningful connections and conversations. I look forward to sharing a cup of coffee or glass of wine in a virtual space and discussing web3!

Curious to learn more about Susana González? Follow her on Twitter or find her on LinkedIn. And to explore similar content and stay up to date with Topl, join our Discord. 🍃