As a graphic designer, I’ve always been passionate about the intersection of art and technology. So, when I first heard about NFTs in 2021, I was instantly captivated by the concept. I chose Fuqua because of the variety of subjects it offers to its students, including the course Tech Driven Transformation of Business taught by Professor Campbell Harvey. As I delved deeper into blockchain and related technologies through his teachings, I knew that I wanted to contribute to this exciting and dynamic field. That’s how I found myself joining the Duke Fuqua Blockchain Club as the head of marketing and graphic design.

I met with the club members for an introductory session on Blockchain Technology. I found a great friend in co-president Frank Bolella, Daytime MBA ’23, who trusted me with the position and welcomed me to the cabinet. It was a significant moment for me because I felt like I had found a community of like-minded individuals who were passionate about the same things as me. Together, we had set out to make a difference and create something meaningful.

One of the first things I worked on was improving the club’s social media presence. I revamped our club’s brand identity and started our social media pages. I also collaborated with students from both the MQM and Daytime MBA programs to provide educational content via newsletters. We started a podcast—a great way to engage with industry experts and our audience, and share our knowledge and passion for the industry as a club.

As we grew stronger as a team, we set our sights on a larger goal: Duke University’s Web3 Conference at Fuqua in April 2023. As the head of the marketing and design team, my role was ensuring that we put together an unforgettable experience for all attendees. We pulled together speaker sessions on different panels such as emerging markets, decentralized finance (DeFi) regulations, startup spotlights, and more. In addition, we organized a hackathon, Cameron indoor experience, crypto golf, a pitch competition, and an NFT exhibition featuring live airdrops. We secured sponsorships from companies including Ripple, Hedera, CoinTelegraph, mural, metafide, choise.com, and others.

In the process of organizing the conference, I was connected with several industry leaders, including venture capitalists and Duke alumni Sergey Khusnetdinov and Adam Mastrelli. They are both incredibly inspiring and have already taught me a lot about professionalism and what it takes to succeed in this industry.

One of my proudest moments was designing the Blue Devil Coin honoring Duke University. I created a 3D interactive model of the cryptocurrency, which is currently live as an NFT on Opensea. It was my way of showcasing the potential of NFTs and the endless possibilities they offer. I even gifted a mint of the NFT to Fred Ehrsam, Co-Founder of Paradigm and Coinbase, which was an excellent opportunity to spread awareness about the conference and the Blue Devil spirit.

My experience with the Duke Fuqua Blockchain Club and planning the Duke Web3 conference has been nothing short of incredible. I have learned so much, made meaningful connections, and had the opportunity to contribute to something much larger than myself. As I look back on my journey, I’m filled with gratitude for the experiences, memories, and impact that I’ve been able to make. It’s been an incredible ride, and I’m excited to see where the future takes me.

As the world continues to shift towards decentralized technologies and digital assets, the need for creative leaders who can bridge the gap between art and technology will only continue to grow. I am excited to be at the forefront of this movement, and to help shape the future of web3 leadership. If you’re interested in the blockchain industry and the potential of NFTs, I encourage you to get involved and be a part of this incredible community. Who knows what opportunities and experiences await you?