Kori Higgins

Parity Technologies supports the Polkadot blockchain protocol. Polkadot is a cutting-edge blockchain protocol designed to enable interoperability and scalability across multiple blockchain networks. Polkadot is the 12th most popular cryptocurrency globally, with a market cap of $14bn.

• Provided comprehensive support to the CEO, enabling them to focus on critical decision-making and leadership tasks. Crafted all CEO speechwriting and internal communications, ensuring clarity, consistency, and influence.
• Seamlessly managed leadership transitions through handling of executive offboarding and onboarding processes.
• Owned the Ecosystem Development Department talent acquisition and management lifecycle across five countries, including sourcing, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding, significantly enhancing the company's organizational structure and talent strategy. Engineered and implemented innovative structural and procedural reorganizations to seamlessly accommodate the rapid expansion of our team from 150 to 400 employees.
• Supervised up to four diverse teams, totaling 45 members, and jointly led the Ecosystem Development Department with the CEO, showcasing versatile leadership. Mentored and developed junior staff members; fostering a culture of continuous learning and collaboration within the organization.
• Owned and refined crucial operational processes, including budgeting and internal communications, to bolster organizational efficiency, trust-building, and transparency.
• Strategically oversaw a significant 30% company downsizing, addressing complex challenges with sensitivity and strategic insight.
• Chaired high-level C-team meetings and spearheaded strategic board presentations. Demonstrated adept decision-making and strategic planning abilities by guiding key corporate directives and facilitating comprehensive discussions on organizational growth, operational strategy, and aligning executive team objectives with long-term corporate vision.
• Orchestrated the due diligence and execution of a $50 million investment deal, incorporating Web3 technology into a Web2 framework. Spearheading the design and operational process for an ecosystem fund, conducting comprehensive due diligence on potential partners and defining strategic investment frameworks to support growth and innovation within the ecosystem.
• Led crisis-management efforts during unexpected challenges; mitigating potential negative impacts on business operations.

Stellar is a blockchain protocol optimized to facilitate cross-border financial transactions, with lumens (XLM) as the native asset. At the time I worked here, Stellar was the 12th most popular cryptocurrency globally, with a market cap of $9.5bn.

As Head of Operations for Vibrant (Mar 2020 - April 2021):

• Led the international Operations team to achieve milestones like customer success, establishing in-country partnerships, boosting conversion rates, and expanding the user base from 0 to over 100k accounts within less than a year
• Pioneered the launch strategy in Argentina, tailoring Vibrant’s value proposition through effective cross-team collaboration to meet the Argentinian market's needs
• Initiated and implemented product improvements by analyzing user behavior and feedback, enhancing transactions involving local fiat funds
• Fostered collaboration among the GTM teams, enhancing communication and team cohesion across business development, engineering, compliance, marketing, and design
• Managed the customer experience department, ensuring compliance with international regulations and setting high standards for user inquiry responses
• Developed communication strategies, including the introduction of USDC on the app, and directed hiring and compensation strategies to support global team growth and establish a local internship program in LATAM.
• Collaborated with executive leadership on strategic planning initiatives to drive business growth.
• Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.

As Senior Director for Global Development (Mar. 2019 - Mar. 2020):

• Orchestrated the Foundation's engagement strategy to augment its international presence, securing pivotal partnerships and representing Stellar at premier global forums.
• Led the charge in managing relationships within LATAM's blockchain, cryptocurrency, and fintech sectors, spearheading educational outreach on Stellar's latest developments.
• Conceived, named, and executed the inaugural Meridian blockchain conference, leading all aspects from programming to on-site management.
• Personally curated and secured a diverse lineup of speakers, orchestrating a landmark event that brought together key global figures to foster ecosystem partnerships and solidify Stellar's presence in the global blockchain community.

Landscape Capital Management LLC is a quantitative hedge fund with 30+ algorithmic trading strategies. Landscape Private Investments, LLC is a seed-stage venture capital fund investing in digital technology.

• Spearheaded strategic initiatives that significantly accelerated AUM growth from $90M to $350M, focusing on product development, investor relations, and strategic market positioning
• Led investor communications and conducted comprehensive due diligence, effectively managing investor relationships and expectations through periods of market volatility
• Pioneered the expansion of seed-stage investment initiatives for Landscape Private Investments, LLC into Europe
• Executed in-depth industry research and due diligence, contributing to the fund's diversification and growth strategy.
• Conducted comprehensive market research studies to identify untapped opportunities for growth within the industry landscape.

Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC is one of Europe's largest business and financial information companies which has interests in business and financial publishing and event organization. It is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

The Institute for Inclusive Security is a nonprofit dedicated to changing the international security paradigm to include women and civil society in international peace negotiations.

CSIS is a non-partisan think tank ranked as the number one think tank for defense and national security for the past 7 years. Participated in the Abshire-Inamori Leadership Academy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a prestigious program dedicated to fostering next-generation leaders through engagement with critical global security and policy challenges.

Governor Bill Richardson was a candidate for U.S. President in the 2008 election cycle.

The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress. Senator Jeff Bingaman was a 5-term Senator from the state of New Mexico.