John Paller is a Denver-based blockchain entrepreneur, inventor, and futurist. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Steward of ETHDenver, the world’s largest Web3 and Ethereum-focused hackathon and festival, which has brought together over 95,000 participants from around the globe over seven seasons. John is also the visionary behind Opolis, a groundbreaking employment ecosystem designed for independent workers. As a member of the SporkDAO Board, John helps guide ETHDenver’s evolution while pioneering patronage token models that empower communities to sustainably fund and grow decentralized ecosystems. With over 20 years of experience in talent acquisition, HR, and employment— prior to discovering Ethereum in 2014— John successfully built multiple enterprises in the space. He is a seasoned leader in fundraising, investor relations, community development, and crypto economies, all of which fuel his mission to democratize employment and foster decentralized communities. Recognized for his innovative contributions to the future of business, John was honored as one of the Denver Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” in 2014.