Ethereum Foundation Co-Executive Director Xiao Wei Wang resigns

Wang’s departure adds to the list of high-profile defections from the Ethereum Foundation this year.

After completing his sabbatical, Xiaowei Wang resigned as co-executive director and director of the Ethereum Foundation.

Vitalik Buterin praised her role in shaping Ethereum’s research culture and building the ecosystem’s community.

Ethereum Foundation suffers another high-profile departure

Wang announced her departure from the nonprofit organization on social media after a long career hiatus, saying it gave her time to consider her priorities in life.

“Following my sabbatical, I have decided to step down as co-executive director and board member of the Ethereum Foundation, effective today,” she wrote.

She revealed that Bastien Aue, another executive at the organization, was guiding the transition while on leave. Looking back on his time at the Foundation, Wang said he is proud of what the community has accomplished, and credited the community’s continued growth to builders, researchers, educators, validators, users, and other contributors who support the network.

EF have experienced several high-profile departures across the squad this year, with veterans Tomasz Stanczak, Julian Marr, Karl Beek, Tim Beiko, Trent Van Epps and Barnabe Monod all leaving. Due to the resignation of the Board of Directors, Vitalik Buterin, Patrick Strchenegger, and Aya Miyaguchi will remain on the Board of Directors.

This has caused a lot of uncertainty and speculation from the community, with some seeing the departure as evidence of internal disagreements and governance issues. But longtime community contributor Ryan Berkmans said people are looking at it the wrong way and the organization is still very committed to the network.

Meanwhile, Wang said she is still thinking about what will happen next, but is proud to be part of the community. Her presentation ended by acknowledging its role in moving the ecosystem forward and thanking those who have contributed along the way.

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Buterin praises Wang’s contribution

Mr. Wang became co-executive director with Mr. Stanczak last year and led the organization through one of its most difficult times. Buterin acknowledged the former’s decade-long contribution to the ecosystem, noting that she has always carried out her work with the utmost skill and grace.

“She has handled that task deftly and gracefully, always striving to find and advocate the right outcome for both the Ethereum protocol and the humans who build and maintain it,” he wrote.

Recalling her early days at the foundation, he praised her for helping make Ethereum research and consensus work more organized and accessible, and for building a strong community in Taipei through people and events.