Hsiao-Wei Wang has stepped down as co-executive director and board member of the Ethereum Foundation, effective immediately. Her departure follows a sabbatical period and nearly a decade with the organization.
Wang joined the Ethereum Foundation’s research team in 2017. She rose to co-executive director in April 2023. Her sabbatical provided an opportunity to reflect on personal priorities, leading to the decision to step back. She intends to remain involved with the broader Ethereum community while dedicating more time to her home life.
During her approximately nine years at the Ethereum Foundation, Wang played a central role in significant network upgrades. These included the Beacon Chain, The Merge, Shapella, and Dencun. She also co-founded ETHTaipei and the Taipei Seminar, initiatives that fostered a strong regional Ethereum community.
Vitalik Buterin, a co-founder of Ethereum, acknowledged Wang’s contributions in a public statement. He described her as a “steadfast contributor” who “handled the task skillfully and gracefully” during what he characterized as a challenging period for the Foundation.
Wang’s exit continues a trend of high-profile departures from the Ethereum Foundation over the past year. Co-executive director Tomasz Stańczak resigned in February. Other notable individuals who have stepped down include Josh Stark, Trent Van Epps, Tim Beiko, Barnabé Monnot, Carl Beek, and Julian Ma. Bastian Aue, who assumed the interim co-executive director role after Stańczak’s departure, currently leads the organization as the sole executive director.
The recent leadership changes occur as the Ethereum network continues to evolve through major technical upgrades and community development efforts. The Foundation’s structure and operational focus may adapt further as it navigates these transitions with a revised leadership team.
The impact of these departures on the Ethereum Foundation’s long-term strategy and its role in guiding the network’s development remains an area of observation. Future announcements regarding leadership appointments and organizational direction will be closely watched by the community and industry stakeholders.