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Michael Smolenski
Founder - Lightstreams
Professional Background
Michael Smolenski is a highly accomplished professional in the blockchain and finance sectors, known for his innovative contributions to decentralized technologies and advanced payment systems. Currently, he is the founder of Lightstreams, a specialized blockchain network that optimizes privacy controls for the exchange and sale of data such as personal information and digital assets. This pioneering platform utilizes Smart Vault software, a decentralized storage solution that employs smart contracts for managing access permissions and payments, ensuring security and privacy in data transactions.
Before establishing Lightstreams, Michael showcased his expertise as a Blockchain Consultant at Motionwerk in Germany, which was supported by Innogy, a prominent European energy firm. Here, he played a pivotal role in co-authoring the Open Mobility System (OMOS) white paper, an initiative geared towards making urban mobility more accessible and efficient through blockchain technology. His experience at Motionwerk also provided him opportunities to mentor team members in blockchain engineering, fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation.
Michael’s career is marked by significant contributions in various capacities, particularly within the banking sector. His role as a Solution Architect for Westpac Bank involved overseeing the development of their Online Payments system. This included crucial functionalities like BPay, FX, SWIFT/NCC/IBAN, DE, and RTGS. His experience further extends to significant contributions to Goldman Sachs' equity algorithm trading platform, upgrades at the London Stock Exchange, and development initiatives for Westpac Bank's Foreign Exchange platform. Furthermore, at Commonwealth Bank, he worked on pivotal projects such as CommBiz and NetBank, enhancing the technological backbone of digital banking services.
Education and Achievements
Michael's solid educational background complements his extensive professional experience. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Finance from the Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics at the University of Delaware. Pursuing his passion for business, he obtained a Master of Business Administration from Villanova School of Business, further refining his leadership capabilities in a corporate environment. In addition, he engaged in continuous education at General Assembly and holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Communications, Engineering, and Electronics from the University of Canterbury, equipping him with a unique blend of technical and financial expertise.
As a certified Advanced Agile Coach by Alistair Cockburn, Michael has pioneered the implementation of advanced technical practices at the Commonwealth Bank, including Extreme Programming (XP), DevOps, Behavior Driven Development (BDD), and Test Driven Development (TDD). His passion for fostering agile methodologies reflects his commitment to enhancing team performance and maximizing the potential of technology in business operations.
Awards and Notable Recognitions
Michael's innovative efforts have been recognized across the blockchain community and beyond. Notably, he achieved victory in the Blockchain Hackathon at Consensys in 2017, where he applied Permissioned Blocks technology to develop a compelling solution for a micro-insurance challenge. This accolade underscores his ability to translate complex ideas into functional applications that address real-world problems.
His ingenuity was also acknowledged when he secured 2nd place in the global Santander Bank Distributed Ledger competition in February 2016 for his groundbreaking real estate blockchain concept called Midasium. Furthermore, he was recognized as a finalist in the Citibank Mobile Challenge competition in 2015 for his innovative approach in leveraging mobile technologies in finance.
Career Highlights and Contributions
One of Michael's standout contributing roles was as a Solution Architect for Westpac Bank's Online Payments system, providing comprehensive solutions for managing numerous payment infrastructures. He leveraged his banking expertise to enhance process efficiency and reliability, winning trust from numerous stakeholders.
Michael's extensive career spanned various functions at Vanguard, where he held a series of leadership positions including Chief Financial Officer, Financial Director, Strategy Manager, Finance Manager, Financial Analyst, and Financial Associate. His diverse roles at Vanguard allowed him to develop a thorough understanding of financial strategy, operations, and analytical frameworks, contributing significantly to the company's operational excellence and strategic initiatives.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Michael has had the opportunity to train in semi-conductor FPGA technology at Xilinx, further diversifying his technical expertise and insights into hardware capabilities that complement his software knowledge.
Achievements
- Winner of Blockchain Hackathon at Consensys 2017.
- 2nd place in Santander Bank Global Distributed Ledger competition (2016).
- Finalist in Citibank Mobile Challenge (2015).
