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For 20 years, Shira has worked at the intersection of money and power. Initially, through philanthropy, she worked to redirect resources to those most in need. Later, as Deputy Director for J Street, she partnered with the Obama Administration to transform US policy in the Middle East and pave a pathway for the Iran Nuclear Agreement.

 

After decades nudging existing financial and political systems, she saw in emerging technologies a way to fundamentally re-architect these systems. Digital currency has the potential to redefine both money and power. Just as easily, it could reinforce the flaws of our existing systems. In response, Shira formed the research lab Maiden in 2017 to make money good, by bringing people into the formative technology and policy decisions essential to the design of future financial protocols.