Sandy Carter had never pictured herself at the vanguard of the Web3 revolution when she was younger. Originally wanting to be a doctor, one day a Duke University lecturer turned her life around. “Look at programming,” he said. “You can create things that change people’s lives.” Those comments caught Carter’s attention. She chose then to delve into computers and never looked back.
Sandy studied computer science, even pursuing postgraduate degrees. She studied eight programming languages and developed her thesis on how animal drug testing might be replaced by technology. “Technology can save lives, both human and animal,” she stated in an interview.
Sandy Carter: Bridging the Digital Identity Gap
Carter’s career extended beyond academia. She soon found herself among numerous tech giants, like IBM and Amazon Web Services (AWS), shortly after graduating. She oversaw cloud computing and the startup environment at IBM. Now at AWS, she assisted in creating an artificial intelligence, blockchain, and Internet of Things network of partners.
One question, however, persisted in her mind: why is digital identity still so fractured? Why do third parties still control domain names and identities on the internet? Carter ultimately arrived at Unstoppable Domains through these questions.
Joining Unstoppable Domains: A Vision for Digital Ownership
Carter joined Unstoppable Domains, a startup seeking to transform how individuals own their digital identities, in late 2021. The blockchain-based domain names provided by Unstoppable Domains can be owned for life, unlike traditional domains that require annual renewal. For Carter, this represents a significant step toward total control for online consumers.
“Think of it this way,” she remarked during one conference, “if you own a Web3 domain name, it’s yours forever. There is no annual charge; you can use it for everything from crypto addresses to decentralized email; nobody can take it away.”
As COO, Carter is responsible not only for daily operations but also for developing strategic alliances. Introducing the .podcast domain to Web3 developers was one of her key undertakings. For her, it goes beyond business to create a future where digital identity truly belongs to the individual.
Sandy Carter: Empowering Women in Blockchain
Carter came to see that men still predominate in the IT sector. She thus started Unstoppable Women of Web3, a project aimed at providing women in the blockchain ecosystem with opportunities and knowledge. “We want Web3 to be truly inclusive, not just for one particular group,” she stated.
She also actively participates in the Girls in Tech group and continues to encourage more women to enter the industry. For her, the digital revolution must include everyone—not only those with initial access or knowledge.
The Future of Digital Identity
Carter believes that blockchain-based identity has a bright future. She projects that by 2026, blockchain domains will be used alongside traditional DNS systems. Still, challenges remain. “We have to keep educating the market,” she remarked. Many people are still hesitant to migrate to Web3 due to concerns about technological complexity. However, Carter believes that change is only a matter of time, given the right mindset.
Now more than ever, Carter still harbors the same enthusiasm as when she first fell in love with computers. She wants to be part of the change and ensure that it proceeds in the right direction. “We’re building something that’s going to last,” she remarks, “and that’s the most challenging and the most exciting thing.”
For Sandy Carter, technology is not only about creativity but also about how that creativity can enhance quality of life. And she doesn’t appear to be stopping anytime soon.