“I come from a small town in Brazil and embarked on a solo journey to New York at the age of 19, driven by the desire for a life filled with greater opportunities. Initially, I took on various small jobs to establish and sustain myself.

My academic journey began with earning an Associate degree in science with honors, majoring in Fine Arts with a focus in Design. Despite getting accepted into Baruch College for a Computer Science bachelor's program, my path took a turn when I delved into fashion classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology. This led to an exciting opportunity in the world of costume design and wardrobe assistance off Broadway.

A detour emerged when I went to Australia for vacation, only to find myself stranded there for 11 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Leveraging this unexpectted situation, I delved into studying UX Design, a field that had always intrigued me. I discovered a natural inclination for identifying user experience problems in daily life, relishing the process of documenting and devising solutions for apps and websites.

During this period, I also dived deep into coding and learned all I could about blockchain technology, a longstanding interest of mine. Recognizing its potential to address various contemporary issues, attracted by the power of decentralization, and the desire to break into new technology, I decided to pivot my focus towards blockchain engineering. This decision led to securing a position as a Blockchain Engineer in the Blockchain team with a prominent company in the field.

While working as a Software Engineer, my proficiency in design and UX became apparent, prompting me to assist the Lead UX designer in crafting our NFT marketplace. Excelling in this role, I was invited to join the UX team in June of 2022, a proposition I eagerly embraced, as one of my passions has always been design. I am grateful to have learned so much and to be able to contribute to the blockchain space and a decentralized future.

Currently I find myself living in Sedona, surrounded by the serene landscapes of the majestic red rocks while actively immersed in the world of blockchain engineering (and smart contracts development), maintaining a constant engagement and passion for its ongoing developments and innovations.”

Francine Caruccio