Authors

Robert A. Rees is a dynamic speaker who has previously presented at the Sunstone West 2016 Conference. He possesses experience as an educator, evidenced by his teaching in the former Soviet Union, where he developed techniques to encourage student participation and expression. His presentation at the conference explored the dual nature of technology, examining its potential for both progress and peril, drawing parallels to historical examples like Cain’s use of tools and contemporary issues like military weaponry and the accessibility of both beneficial and harmful content through modern technology. Rees’s presentation drew on his understanding of literature and history. He referenced Richard Eberhardt’s poem, “The Fury of Aerial Bombardment,” to illustrate humanity’s slow moral development, lagging behind technological advancements. He also connected the potential for good and evil inherent in technology to the wide dissemination of General Conference alongside the spread of harmful content such as pornography and the use of computer systems for genealogy and criminal schemes. This demonstrates his insightful perspective on how technological advancements intersect with moral and societal issues.

Sarah Wiley is the VP of Product Development at GenesisBlock, a Utah-based startup focused on building a consumer bank powered by Web3 technologies. With over 20 years of experience as a software engineer, Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge to the burgeoning field of decentralized finance. Prior to joining GenesisBlock, Sarah spent a significant portion of her career at Intuit. Three years ago, she discovered blockchain, decentralized development, and cryptocurrency, quickly becoming fascinated by their potential to revolutionize the financial landscape. She believes in the promise of DeFi to create censorship-resistant, permissionless, and peer-to-peer systems. At GenesisBlock, Sarah is dedicated to making DeFi accessible to everyone, addressing the current complexities and risks associated with navigating the decentralized finance world. She and the GenesisBlock team actively advise and influence legislation and regulation, build public awareness, and support projects that align with their values of democratic governance, transparency, and trustless transactions. She also enjoys mountain biking and hiking in the Wasatch Mountains. As a participant at the MTA (Mormon Transhumanist Association) conference, Sarah brings a unique perspective on the intersection of technology, faith, and the future of finance. She is particularly interested in how decentralized technologies can create systems that reflect shared values and enable a more equitable and efficient alignment of resources.

Dr. Scott Stornetta is a blockchain pioneer recognized for his foundational work dating back to 1991. He co-authored seminal papers and patents that predate and significantly influenced the development of Bitcoin and other digital currencies. His contributions are acknowledged within the Bitcoin white paper, with three of the eight citations referencing his research. Currently, Dr. Stornetta is a partner at Ugin Partners, a venture capital firm specializing in blockchain and AI technologies. He leverages his expertise to advise governments on blockchain policy and serves on multiple boards. He is also a fellow at the Creative Destruction Lab, associated with the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, and a frequent lecturer at universities. He approaches his work and speaking engagements with a unique perspective, informed by his Latter-day Saint background. Dr. Stornetta holds a PhD in physics from Stanford University and has attended MIT, Harvard, and Brigham Young University.

Tomicah Tillemann is a partner and global chief policy officer at KRH Partners, a cryptocurrency venture fund led by former A16Z general partner, Katie Hahn. In this role, he focuses on building the public policy architecture to support the next generation of the Internet. A frequent speaker on the intersection of technology and theology, he brings both spheres together in his work and thought. Prior to joining KRH Partners, Tillemann served as senior advisor to two Secretaries of State, leading a team that developed 20 major initiatives across 55 countries. He previously served as Hillary Clinton’s speechwriter and spent four years on the staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, working with Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and John Kerry. He has spearheaded programs addressing social impact, finance, and governance challenges on a global scale. Tillemann’s experience includes serving as Executive Director of the Digital Impact and Governance Initiative at New America, as well as membership in the World Economic Forum’s Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the United Nations World Food Program Innovation Advisory Council, and the Lantos Foundation Board of Trustees. He is also Chairman of the Global Blockchain Business Council. Dr. Tillemann holds a BA magna cum laude from Yale University and a PhD with distinction from the School for Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and spoke at the MTAConf 2022 about the decentralization of power.

Trent Larson got a computer science PhD in 2002, then went to write software for industry. In 2014, he helped establish Medici Ventures, creating the first SEC-approved cryptocurrency-based stock exchange; he then worked for Medici Land Governance, documenting land rights with blockchain and securing identities with cryptography. His not-for-profit work on the side involves GiftEconomies.org supported by the app at TimeSafari.org , with the goal to allow fully peer-to-peer operations; he is also on the board of BridgeFoundation.community for affordable construction and agriculture at the Riverbed Ranch.

Vinay Gupta is an entrepreneur, humanitarian, and technologist. He is the founder and CEO of Materium, a blockchain technology company focused on bridging the virtual and physical economies. Materium aims to provide buyer and seller protection for physical asset NFTs, integrating real-world assets with blockchain technology. Gupta is also recognized for his contributions to the Ethereum blockchain platform. His work reflects a deep humanitarian concern, particularly for the world’s poorest populations and disaster relief efforts. This concern drives his interest in leveraging technology for social good. Beyond his work in blockchain, Gupta is known for inventing the HexaUt refugee shelter—a cheap, simple, non-patented, and open-source design. The HexaUt has become iconic within the Burning Man counterculture and serves as an example of his commitment to practical, accessible solutions for humanitarian challenges. He is also interested in weaving Gandhian principles of fair trade into his work, particularly through Materium, which is an attempt to define the moral responsibility around things people consume.

Wernher von Braun (1912–1977) was a German-American aerospace engineer and space architect who led the development of the V-2 rocket for Nazi Germany and later served as the chief architect of the Saturn V rocket for NASA