Kristin Smith is the Founding Executive Director of the Blockchain Association, a 23-company trade association that is the most influential policy organization focused on blockchain and cryptocurrency issues. She is a growth-oriented leader who built both a membership roster and a team from the ground up, while leading the development of a strategic roadmap for public policy in one of the most innovative areas of financial technology. Smith is a deeply experienced policy professional with senior-level experience in both House and Senate offices, private sector experience advocating for companies in telecommunications, Internet, and other tech-focused industries, and top academic credentials including an MBA in Finance from NYU Stern and a graduate degree from Georgetown University. She is also a frequent commentator in print and on television, with recent appearances that include CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Fox Nation, and Cheddar.