Cardano Foundation

Remembering Professor Steven Lupien, Chairman of the Intersect Board, and his legacy We are deeply saddened by the passing of Steven Charles Lupien, Chairman of the Intersect MBO Board of Directors. Following Steven’s funeral on Friday, and out of respect for his family and those closest to him, we would now like to take a moment to recognize his life, his contribution to Intersect, and the lasting legacy he leaves behind. Steven was a professor and the founder and director of the University of Wyoming’s Center for Blockchain & Digital Innovation. He served on the Intersect Board from the organization’s founding and provided invaluable leadership throughout his tenure. Steven brought more than 35 years of leadership experience across marketing, product development, finance, and emerging technology. He held senior executive roles at organizations including Five Star Products, Land O’ Lakes Specialty Foods, Bigelow Tea, and AT&T. Under his leadership, Five Star Products became an early adopter of blockchain technology for the secure and immutable storage of nuclear facility records. He also pioneered BeefChain, a blockchain-based system designed to connect ranchers more directly with markets and consumers, improve supply-chain traceability, and give producers greater control over the value of their cattle. After moving to Wyoming, Steven became a leading advocate for blockchain innovation, working with state policymakers to help establish Wyoming as a global center for digital assets and blockchain technology. At the University of Wyoming, he founded the Center for Blockchain & Digital Innovation, served as an endowed faculty member, and launched the university’s interdisciplinary minor in blockchain technology. He was also a prolific fundraiser, educator, author, and mentor, co-authoring Blockchain Fundamentals for Web 3.0 and helping to expand technology education throughout Wyoming. You can read Steven’s official obituary here ➡️ legacy.com/us/obituaries/… Steven at Intersect Steven had a profound impact on Intersect during a formative period in the organization’s development. He drew on decades of executive and governance experience to mentor his fellow Board members, helping them better understand the responsibilities of their positions and the standards of care, judgment, and accountability expected of organizational leaders. He also played an important role in structuring Intersect’s business operations so that the organization could serve the Cardano community effectively, sustainably, and with the professionalism required of a global, member-based organization. Steven helped shape Intersect’s processes for identifying and selecting executive leadership, while emphasizing that strong recruitment must be matched by thoughtful onboarding, training, and continued support. His colleagues remember him as someone they could turn to for candid advice, practical guidance, and a broader perspective when difficult decisions had to be made. Even during serious or challenging discussions, Steven was often quick with a joke that lightened the mood, strengthened relationships, and helped the Board keep its conversations constructive and productive. Steven will be deeply missed by his fellow Board members, the Intersect staff, and the many people across the blockchain industry who had the privilege of working with him. His wisdom, generosity, humor, and steady presence left a lasting impression on everyone around him. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his beloved partner, Caitlin; his daughter, Abigail; all of his family members mourning his loss; and his colleagues and students at the University of Wyoming, whose lives were enriched by his leadership, mentorship, and friendship.

📣 We saw strong application volume for the Genesis Pre-Accelerator this week. We want to make sure the right teams don't miss out. The deadline to apply has been extended over the weekend! Apply by JULY 13th by 11:59 PM! If you've been thinking about applying. This is your sign. Even if you’re still early, we want to hear about your project. This program is great for anyone looking to grow an early project or startup into something BIGGER. Come to Silicon Valley. Meet the best of the best in crypto & AI, and learn how to scale in a way that works. Looking for early-stage builders on @Cardano across RWA, Institutional DeFi, and enterprise. Know a builder who should be here? Tag them. Link in bio to apply! 📲

x.com/i/article/2074…