At a Glance
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Dr. Jane Thomason, Founder, Global Meta Blockchain
Thought Leader Interview
Thinkers360 thought leader interviews profile prominent members of the Thinkers360 community who embody the power of ideas in their work. In this edition, we speak with Dr. Jane Thomason, Founder at Global Meta Blockchain.
Jane is a global speaker, author, digital thought leader, entrepreneur, and visionary social innovator, with a focus on emerging economies. She advocates for digital transformation to reduce inequality and vulnerability and a move to a human-centered digital economy where we measure value based on people and the planet; we use data to measure and report on the impact and we collaborate to reduce social and economic disparity.
She is featured in the annual recognitions of Thinkers360: Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Blockchain 2022, Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Management 2022, and Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Sustainability 2022.
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Thinkers360: Tell us a bit about your background and areas of expertise
JT: After a successful career in global health with international agencies (WHO, Asian Development Bank) and my own international development company, I discovered Blockchain in 2016. I saw its transformative potential and I pivoted! Since 2017, I have devoted time and energy into researching, speaking, and writing about Blockchain and other emerging technologies (DeFi, NFTs, Metaverse, AI, IoT, wearables, etc).
I am focused on GreenFi, Tech4Sustainability, healthtech and metaverse at present and I see myself as a bridge between the old world and the new. I aim to provide digestible information on the ways technology can transform industries, sectors, services and the planet. I have written several books including Blockchain for Global Social Change (2019), Blockchainging the World (2021), Applied Ethics in a Digital World (2021) and I am now working on “Advancements in the New World of Web 3: A Look Toward the Decentralized Future”.
I am Chair of Kasei Holdings, a London-listed blockchain and Web 3.0 investment firm. I am also an Industry Associate of the University College London, Centre for Blockchain and Co-Founder of the British Blockchain and Frontier Technology Association. I am also on the editorial board of “Journal of Metaverse” “Global Health Journal” and “Frontiers in Blockchain”. I support a number of sustainability startups and serve on several corporate and advisory boards.
I am a devoted mother, a passionate social entrepreneur, occasional fun lover, and I believe that you can define yourself and live the life you choose. I am open and honest and have never been motivated by money. I genuinely care about humanity and I love to feel that I am helping in some small way to build a better world.
Thinkers360: What are your current responsibilities and what’s a typical day look like?
JT: I am very focused on building a Tech4Sustainability ecosystem. Initially in the UAE, because I am based there, but in the longer term, this will be global. An ecosystem will pool unique capabilities, data, customers, and industry knowledge that can bring together many largely independent players to join forces to create digital innovation that is greater than a single organization can achieve. In particular, we aim to facilitate collective action across the region to lead to systemic transformation and support scaling of digital technologies for sustainability. We will encourage the establishment of Digital Sustainability Innovation Hubs and Accelerators in partnership with existing Hubs and Accelerators in the region. We will also pursue partnerships for Decentralized Financing of Sustainable Solutions, including regional crowd funding for sustainability platforms.
The SDG goals are unattainable without digitalization, and this will require unprecedented coordination and collaboration and innovation. We aim to:
● Facilitate and convene connected partnerships for tech for sustainability and impact investing
● Build a connected community of people interested in tech and sustainability
● Support thought leadership in Tech4Sustainability through the provision of education, research and dissemination via events, reports, social media and video content
● Provide accessible education on applications of Tech4Sustainability
● Focus on acceleration of tech-enabled climate, biodiversity and pollution action
● Enable and empower women and girls to be part of tech for sustainability
● Develop and provide specific courses on sustainability and climate action.
I have no typical day. Every day is different and I love meeting like-minded people and catalyzing action. It is time for technology to shine. Now is the time to implement human-centered technology to monitor the governing of the environment and ecosystem with a human-centered approach for the benefit of humanity rather than for the predominantly large corporations or governments. We need social innovation enabled by evolving technology.
Thinkers360: What’s the favorite part of your current role?
JT: Through my writing and speaking, if I can inspire people to see the possibilities of Tech4Sustainability, I am making an important difference. I also love inspiring people and encouraging them to pursue their dreams. That’s why I love hackathons and working with startups because I want to help them support their dreams and aspirations.
Thinkers360: How do you utilize Thinkers360?
JT: Thinkers360 is a great resource for meeting like-minded thought leaders and for communicating my body of work. I have met many amazing people through Thinkers360, many of whom I have an ongoing collaboration with. A powerful thought leadership platform that is getting stronger every year.
Editor’s Note: See Jane’s Thinkers360 In-Depth Profile & Portfolio.
Thinkers360: How do you like to work with brands who wish to engage you as a thought leader?
JT: As a thought leader in sustainability, health tech, blockchain, and crypto, I write blogs, books, and articles, speak at events, be interviewed, or shoot videos. I am known for being ethical and trustworthy and I am happy to work with purpose-driven brands who share my values. I have over 27,000 LinkedIn followers and spoke at over 30 events in 2021. My social media connections and events are in technology, finance, and SDG executives and leaders across multiple industries, sectors, and media.
Thinkers360: What’s your main advice for upcoming thought leaders?
JT: You don’t need to know everything. Find your niche and acquire the skills you need to deliver what you are good at.
“Learn something new every single day and on most days more than just one thing.”
I vowed from then on to live every day. I mean, to really live every day and get the most out of it as if it could be my last. I have always looked at every opportunity that came my way to see whether I was interested in it and have acted on it. I never wasted any time because I didn’t know whether that opportunity would come around again or whether I would be alive to take it.
“Live every day as if it were your last.”
I find that when I am feeling appreciative and being grateful that it is very difficult for me to be unhappy; and that sets me up for a good day.
Have a regular appreciation day
I believe that the everyday ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ are really so special. They make other people happy and they make you feel good when you see them smile back at you.
“Every day do random acts of kindness.”
This is a new world, where as influencers and leaders we can help people see how the world could be better. We all need to determine how we can individually help.
Ask yourself what you can each do to make the world a better place.
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