We were excited to have Lerna Jay, Project Manager, as our recent Guest Speaker for the WV Coding Club!
Lerna lives in Toronto, Canada and has been working in tech since 2016.
Her passion and education focus was studying theatre tech, film, English literature. She started in Stage Management, theatre, film and then pivoted into the technology industry because it was more stable work.
In 2020, Lerna began her journey in the blockchain industry as a project manager before transitioning into product management. Without a technical degree, she dedicated a significant amount of time to self-education, diving deep into blockchain concepts. However, her most valuable learning came through hands-on experience at her company. For Lerna, working in blockchain is not just about technology—it’s about restoring privacy and empowering individuals.
Understanding Blockchain
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger that securely records and verifies transactions across a distributed network of computers. Using cryptography, it ensures data integrity and prevents tampering.
How does it work?
A blockchain consists of blocks linked together in a chain.
Each block contains data, such as transaction records.
Once added, a block cannot be altered without modifying all subsequent blocks.
The entire network updates simultaneously, ensuring consistency and security.
Why is blockchain important?
It eliminates intermediaries, reducing costs and risks in transactions.
It enhances transparency and trust through immutable records.
It enables secure tracking of assets, from financial transactions to intellectual property.
Blockchain use cases
In financial services, blockchain facilitates trade processing and asset tracking.
It serves as the backbone of most cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin.
Bitcoin, often considered the first major blockchain application, helped spark widespread interest in the technology.
Lerna’s Work & Responsibilities
Over the years, Lerna has contributed to a variety of projects across different industries and ecosystems. Her core responsibilities include:
Hiring & team management – Recruiting talent and ensuring effective collaboration.
Project execution – Delivering projects on time and within budget.
Stakeholder & client management – Maintaining strong relationships and providing updates.
Product strategy & research – Identifying opportunities for innovation and product improvements.
Defining OKRs (Objectives & Key Results) – Setting clear goals and measuring progress.
Problem-solving & efficiency improvements – Enhancing workflows and optimizing product development.
Understanding OKRs
OKRs (Objectives & Key Results) are a goal-setting framework used to align teams on key outcomes:
Objectives – Ambitious, high-level goals that inspire progress.
Key Results – Measurable milestones that track progress toward achieving objectives.
Project vs. Product Management
As a Project Manager, Lerna ensures projects meet deadlines and budgets while managing team coordination. Success in this role requires strong organizational skills.
As a Product Manager, her focus shifts to prioritization, market research, and adapting to dynamic challenges. Product management is more fluid than project management, often requiring quick adjustments based on evolving business needs. The success of the product falls on the product manager, so it comes with much more accountability than project management.
Technical Adaptability & Managing Scope Creep
Lerna has worked across various programming languages, ecosystems, and teams. Each project presents unique challenges, requiring her to quickly grasp new technical concepts.
One challenge project management is Scope Creep—when additional features or requirements are introduced without prior discussion of timelines, budgets, or resources. Avoiding scope creep is critical for maintaining project efficiency.
Industry Challenges & The Future of Web3
Lerna notes that while many companies are exploring similar blockchain solutions, the industry faces a shortage of skilled engineers and developers, driving high demand for expertise in this space.
When asked about the future of her work, she emphasizes the difficulty in long-term predictions, given the fast-evolving nature of blockchain technology.
Hiring & Interview Insights
When evaluating candidates, Lerna prioritizes:
Soft skills & collaboration – Technical talent is valuable, but teamwork is essential.
Preparation & company knowledge – Candidates who research the company stand out.
Honesty & authenticity – Genuine, self-aware candidates make a stronger impression.
Technical skills in Rust,Solidity & Go (Golang) – Highly valuable in the Web3
Web3 & Its Impact
Web3, also known as Web 3.0, represents a shift toward decentralizing the internet, giving users greater control over their data and digital interactions.
What Drives Lerna
What Lerna values most about her work is the opportunity to explore diverse perspectives, tackle complex challenges, and build things that have never been done before. While it can be frustrating at times, the excitement of discovery makes the journey worthwhile.
Dan McElroy, President of the West Virginia Coding Club shared,"We are excited to have an international speaker on global and emerging technologies, Blockchain and Web3. Thank you Lerna for your insights and guidance for our WV Coding Club students!"
Thank you, Lerna!
Keep Coding!