Joan’s Index

I write a bi-weekly newsletter, featuring essays on tech, humans and economics.

Founder / Writer

MODA DAO

Advisor

Flare

Director Of Communications

Fishburners

Head Of Marketing

Joan Westenberg is a seasoned writer focused on tech and economics. She was honoured as one of the top 100 innovators by the Australian. Joan has written for Wired, The Australian Financial Review, the SF Chronicle, The Saturday Paper, Chainsaw, Yahoo,  TIME, Inc, the ABC, Crikey and others. Beyond her writing, Joan is an advisor to Culture Vault and MODA DAO, fusing her technological expertise with her passion for cultural innovation. Joan has spoken at SXSW, NFTfest, Microsoft Ignite, Web Summit etc.

Joan Westenberg

Digital Economy Council of Australia (DECA)

Chief Executive Officer

Digital Economy Conference 2025

Blockchain Week 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024.

Chief Operating Officer

Head of Operations

Operations Manager

Membership Manager

The House Is Digital

'The House Is Digital' is a podcast featuring real conversations with Australia's political leaders about the technologies, policies and infrastructure transforming the nation. From crypto, AI and cybersecurity to digital finance, distributed ledger and national digital infrstructure, it explores how government is shaping the next chapter of Australia's digital economy.

Host

ACCC

The National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), led by the ACCC, coordinates efforts across industry, regulators, and law enforcement to tackle scams. It focuses on real-time information sharing, public awareness, and preventive measures to protect consumers and businesses. The NASC aims to reduce financial losses and strengthen Australia’s digital economy against fraud.

National Anti-Scam Centre Advisory Board Member

ASIC

Digital Finance Advisory Panel Member

Cortex Technologies PTY LTD

Advisor & Director

We are developing a Neurosensor (in the very early prototype phase) which is set to be included in a portable Brain Computer Interface (BCI) headset designed to deliver a home-based neurofeedback therapy for individuals affected by brain disorders such as acquired brain injury, learning disabilities, stroke, ADHD and autism. 

In 2022 - 2023 our medical sensor is being optimised for manufacturing and installation into a brain computer interface portable headset. 

In September 2021, Cortex Technologies was a Major Prize winner in the Bionics Queensland Challenge. The Bionics Queensland Challenge is the first-ever, dedicated ‘bionics deeptech’ competition for talented innovators, start-ups and R&D leaders in Australia.  Cortex was awarded $50,000 in ‘bionics, the Brain, Neurotech & AI’ category for our neurosensor.  

In August 2020, Cortex won the early innovation award in the Bionics Queensland Challenge.

Co-Founder 

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Science and technology commentary with various ABC hosts around Australia.  

Example: Mornings with Annie Gaffney | ABC Sunshine Coast
www.amy-rose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/A_Goodey_Mornings_ABC_Media-1.mp3

Radio Commentator - Science & Technology

Future Blackboard - Emerging Technologies Education Platform

In 2016, I created an online directory of educational courses aimed at equipping students for a future where machines, AI and technology are increasingly preferred over human labor.

Future Blackboard was both a directory and host to emerging technology online courses specific to the future of work and sourced from worldwide leading educators. We collaborated with educational providers to deliver the very best educational platform in emerging skill-sets, careers and technologies.

We offered education to future-proof the workforce in the new economy, with emphasis on Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, AI, Modern Farming, Energy, 3D printing, Soft Skills, Programming, Entrepreneurship, Personal Development and more.

I had the firm belief in 2015 that In the near future, automation, AI and emerging tech will see the demise of over 5 million Australian jobs.

We source expert educators and leading institutions who are specialists in their field, bringing years of combined experience to the Future Blackboard platform.

www.futureblackboard.com - you'll need wayback machine.

Founder

Widdershins Podcast

Emerging and Future Technologies Podcast 

Over the course of two years, I conducted extensive interviews with the worlds leading physicists, scientists, and engineers to uncover just how far away science fiction technologies are from becoming a tangible reality.

Cutting-edge technologies, futuristic themes, and thought-provoking topics were drawn directly from the pages of popular science fiction novels and discussed with world leading experts who are working on technologies that were previously deemed impossible.

Podcast Host | Audio Engineering & Production | Content & Research

Crypto Clothesline

Women in Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Podcast. 

Our objective was to showcase the exceptional talent of women in the crypto and blockchain industry, and to recognise the contributions of male thought leaders as well. We sought to empower women to be heard and bring to light women building real-world applications of blockchain to a wider audience.

Podcast Host | Production | Audio Engineering | Show Producer | Co-Founder

Hero Flooring AU

Business Owner

As the CEO of the Digital Economy Council of Australia (DECA), formerly Blockchain Australia, I am driven by a forward-thinking, human-centred, and community-minded approach to all things digital. Since 2007, I have immersed myself in technology, and in 2016, I transitioned into the digital economy, focusing on digital assets and distributed ledger technology (DLT), particularly blockchain.

My career spans multiple industries, shaping who I am today:

    - MedTech: Co-founded an award-winning brain-computer interface startup.
    - Education: Postgraduate-qualified, specialising in careers and the future of work. 
    - Telecommunications: 4+ years in ISP operations.
    - Mining: 2+ years in SAP and technical support roles.
    - Building Design & Construction: Qualified building designer.
    - Child Protection: Community interfacing hospital unit for victims of child abuse.
    - Disability Services: Advocacy and support roles.
    - Justice: State-required training for QLD Police Service.

Guided by the principle of Ubuntu—"I am because we are"—I strive to foster unity in advancing the digital economy.

**Key Capabilities:**
- Executive Leadership
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Project Management
- Policy Advocacy & Regulatory Engagement
- Stakeholder Relationship Management
- Operational Oversight
- Event Management
- Community Engagement
- Digital Economy Advocacy
- Technology Innovation

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The Battle

Joan Westenberg

Amy-Rose Goodey

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