Team - Blockchain Association (2024)

Executive Office
Government Relations
Industry Affairs
Marketing and Communications
Policy and Legal
Board of Directors

Executive Office

Kristin Smith

Chief Executive Officer

Kristin runs Blockchain Association, where she leads the crypto industry’s development of a strategic roadmap for public policy. She is an experienced policy professional, with senior-level experience in both House and Senate offices as well as private sector experience advocating for companies in the telecommunications, Internet, and other tech-focused industries. Kristin holds an MBA in Finance from NYU’s Stern School of Business and a graduate degree from Georgetown University.

AnnMarie Brockhouse

Executive Assistant and Director of Operations

AnnMarie Brockhouse is the Executive Assistant and Director of Operations for Blockchain Association. She brings over two decades of management and c-suite experience including extensive expertise in client services, operations, administration, human resources, and organizational development. AnnMarie earned her BS with a double major in Marketing and Business Law and minor in Strategic Management from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

Allie Page

Chief of Staff and Political Director

Allie Page serves as Chief of Staff and Political Director for Blockchain Association. Prior to joining the Association, Allie worked as director of operations at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, representing the food and fiber industry. In addition to NCBA, Allie served as the primary point of contact for federal lands ranchers in the West as DOO of the Public Lands Council. Allie received her B.S. from Montana State University in Agricultural Communications with a certificate in leadership.

Government Relations

Dave Grimaldi

Executive Vice President, Government Relations

As Executive Vice President of Government Relations for Blockchain Association, Dave is the face of the crypto industry on Capitol Hill. Prior to joining the Association, he led the Interactive Advertising Bureau’s policy team as an executive vice president. Prior to this position, Dave opened Pandora’s DC office and also held roles in the federal government, serving as Senior Counsel for the Office of Majority Whip Jim Clyburn and Chief of Staff to FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. Dave earned a bachelor’s degree in English at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, followed by a J.D. at Catholic University Law School.

Ron Hammond

Director of Government Relations

Ron represents the association on Capitol Hill as Director of Government Relations. Ron’s background in crafting a bipartisan crypto regulatory framework via legislation dates back to 2016 when he served as the Financial Services Policy Lead for Rep. Warren Davidson (OH-8). During Ron’s five years on Capitol Hill, he authored several pieces of legislation including the Token Taxonomy Act, Federal Reserve Regulatory Oversight Act, and the Derivatives Fairness Act. Before coming to Capitol Hill, he was the campaign manager for three successful Texas State Senate races. Ron received his B.A. from Georgetown University.

Madison Parker

Operations Coordinator

MadisonParker is the Operations Coordinator for Blockchain Association. Before her time at the Association,Madisoninterned for the U.S. House of Representatives and a government affairs firm, in addition to working for a nonprofit that teaches girls to code.Madisonreceived her BA in Political Science and BS in Business Administration with a Financial Analytics specialization from American University.

Industry Affairs

Dan Spuller

Senior Director of Industry Affairs

Dan represents Blockchain Association as Senior Director of Industry Affairs. Since 2012, Dan has been an advocate of decentralized digital assets, bitcoin, and blockchain technology. From 2016-2020, Dan led membership growth at the Chamber of Digital Commerce, and in 2019 was appointed Co-Chair of the North Carolina Blockchain Initiative by the state’s Lieutenant Governor. He previously worked for North Carolina’s Department of Commerce and successfully drove a multi-stakeholder campaign leading to the passage of the NC Money Transmitters Act of 2016.

Mara Abiera

Industry Affairs Associate

Mara is the Industry Affairs Associate at Blockchain Association. Mara joined the Association with experience in operations and marketing in the space tourism, hospitality, and software industries. Mara received her B.A. from George Mason University in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations.

Marketing and Communications

Curtis Kincaid

Executive Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Curtis leads Blockchain Association’s communication efforts, establishing the association as the collective voice of the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry. Prior to joining the association, Curtis managed strategic communications for the Consumer Technology Association and CES. Curtis earned his B.S. from the University of Mary Washington and his MBA from George Mason University.

Chris Jonas

Director of Industry Communications

Chris manages industry communications for Blockchain Association, elevating the initiatives of its member companies. Prior to joining the association, Chris was director of communications and programs for the National Association for Business Economics, the premier professional association for corporate economists. Chris earned his B.A. in Political Science from Wake Forest University and his M.S. from George Mason University.

Robin Ross

Policy Communications Associate

Robin is the Policy Communications Associate at Blockchain Association, working with multiple teams to enhance policy and member initiatives. She has worked in the blockchain space since 2017 in policy, marketing, and consulting roles. Robin earned her B.S. from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce.

Taryn Wolf

Creative Director

Taryn oversees branding, creative, and design for the Association. She is an experienced creative director, leading the design work for organizations ranging from nonprofits to ecommerce tech companies. Taryn earned her BS at University of Miami in Public Relations and Graphic Design and her MS at Pratt Institute in Communications Design with a focus on Digital.

Policy and Legal

Marisa Coppel

Head of Legal

As Head of Legal for Blockchain Association, Marisa helps develop and advocate for policy positions on behalf of the crypto industry as well as manages long-term legal projects and strategic litigation. Prior to joining the Association, Marisa represented corporate clients in regulatory enforcement actions, internal investigations, and civil litigation matters at Covington & Burling LLP. Marisa earned her B.A. from Brandeis University, and her J.D. from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.

Sarah Milby

Head of Policy

Sarah leads the development and implementation of policy decisions on behalf of the Association. A rising industry star, she joined Blockchain Association in the summer of 2020 and currently heads the Policy department. Sarah and her team provide members with deep policy analysis on proposed legislation and regulatory actions. Sarah has been a featured speaker at major industry conferences and her opinion pieces have been published in national outlets. Sarah graduated from the University of Chicago magna cum laude, is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and earned honors in her major. She has a B.A. in Law, Letters, and Society.

Salah Ghazzal

Policy Analyst

Salahis a Policy Analyst at the Blockchain Association. He is a seasoned researcher, having studied strategic technologies, cybersecurity policy, and conflict medicine.Salahearned his B.A. in Political Studies from the American University of Beirut.

Michael Postupak

Policy Analyst

Michael is a Policy Analyst at the Blockchain Association. Prior to joining the Association, his experience includes a variety of roles in public opinion research, political campaigns, and government affairs. Michael received his B.A. from American University in Political Science with a concentration in Policy.

Laura Sanders

Policy Counsel

Laura is Policy Counsel for Blockchain Association. She advocates for policy positions on behalf of the crypto industry and supports long-term legal strategies and litigation. Laura joined the Association from Compass, Inc., where she served as Litigation Counsel. Before that, she spent several years representing corporate clients in civil litigation matters as an Associate with Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Laura earned her B.A. with High Distinction from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School.