Ricardo J. Méndez

(Acquired) Advised Bindle, which grew to become the largest self-sovereign identity network in the USA. Provided expert guidance on architecture for decentralized self-sovereign identity platform, enabling users to share credentials without revealing any personal information.

- Successfully re-organized the Growth team to better match Marinade’s needs, resulting in an improved data-driven approach for the organization's internal projects. - Developed and implemented a data-driven growth strategy to scale Marinade’s infrastructure-focused developments.

- Designed and managed the governance process for Marinade, Solana’s leading liquid staking protocol. - Launched a grant program to ensure Marinade benefits from community innovation, to bolster community engagement and overall growth.

Interim CSO for Equilibrium, a decentralization-focused venture studio.

- Led technical due diligence for Web3 startups, evaluating tokenomics, smart contract risks, and decentralized governance models to shape NEXT’s $150M investment fund. - Co-architected Samsung NEXT’s Web3 thesis. - Developed the Digital Identity operating plan, focusing on self-sovereign identity (SSI), decentralized infrastructure, and privacy-preserving tech. - Launched Stack Zero Grant, funding research and open source teams in the areas of ZK-proofs, local-first software, peer-to-peer protocols, and identity, helping entrench Samsung as a partner in the ecosystem. - Established NEXT as a Web3 thought leader through Stack Zero Sessions (hosting 100+ founders and investors in an invite-only forum) and keynote speeches at EthCC, DappConn, and other innovation forums.

(Acquired) Stewarded the tech team through a company acquisition, helping the acquiring company hire a permanent replacement from within the team, and mentored him through the transition.

Focused on the the banking and financial industry.