The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has officially announced a major organizational restructuring, introducing a dual executive leadership model and clarifying governance roles to strengthen strategic direction and operational efficiency. Effective April 28, 2025, this transformation marks a pivotal step in EF’s evolution as the Ethereum ecosystem continues to scale and mature. Notably, co-founder Vitalik Buterin will remain deeply involved—not in an administrative capacity, but as a guiding technical and philosophical force.
This reorganization reflects EF’s commitment to adaptability, transparency, and long-term sustainability in an ever-changing blockchain landscape. By refining its management structure, the foundation aims to better support Ethereum’s ongoing development, community engagement, and global adoption.
Introducing the Co-Executive Directors: A Balanced Leadership Model
At the heart of the new structure are two Co-Executive Directors, tasked with driving both strategic vision and day-to-day operations. This dual-leadership approach is designed to combine complementary strengths—ensuring that high-level planning aligns seamlessly with practical execution.
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Hsiao-Wei Wang: Bridging Vision and Community
Hsiao-Wei Wang, who also serves on the Board of Directors, brings a deep understanding of Ethereum’s history and research foundations. Her role emphasizes internal and external communication, acting as a critical bridge between the foundation, developers, and the broader community. With a background rooted in blockchain research and ecosystem development, she is uniquely positioned to ensure that EF’s initiatives remain aligned with Ethereum’s core values.
Tomasz K. Stańczak: Driving Strategic Transformation
Tomasz K. Stańczak joins from Nethermind, a leading Ethereum client development firm, and brings extensive experience in both technical innovation and venture investment. His initial term as Co-Executive Director is set for two years—a period EF identifies as crucial for navigating key transitions in scalability, decentralization, and real-world application integration.
While Tomasz will maintain limited external commitments, including advisory roles at Nethermind and select investment projects, EF confirms these arrangements have been fully coordinated and will not interfere with his primary responsibilities.
This complementary leadership model is intended to enhance agility, allowing EF to respond more effectively to emerging challenges and opportunities within the rapidly evolving crypto space.
Clear Management Roles to Enhance Execution and Transparency
Beyond the executive leadership, EF has clearly defined the responsibilities of other core management team members, reinforcing accountability and operational clarity.
- Bastian Aue focuses on organizational strategy, talent acquisition, and internal training programs—ensuring EF builds a resilient, skilled team capable of supporting long-term growth.
- Josh Stark oversees project execution, marketing communications, and stakeholder engagement. He plays a central role in translating technical progress into accessible narratives for developers, users, and partners worldwide.
EF has committed to regular public updates from this management group, promising greater transparency in planning and progress reporting. This move strengthens trust within the community and aligns with Ethereum’s ethos of open collaboration.
The Board of Directors: A Strategic Oversight “Security Council”
EF describes its Board of Directors as functioning like a “security council”—a high-level body responsible for safeguarding the foundation’s mission, values, and long-term vision. The board ensures alignment between executive decisions and Ethereum’s foundational principles. It also holds authority over the appointment and removal of executive directors.
Current board members include:
- Vitalik Buterin: Continues to contribute as a key advisor on technical and philosophical matters, offering guidance on protocol evolution and ecosystem ethics.
- Aya Miyaguchi: Leads external relations and works closely with the board to shape EF’s strategic direction and global outreach.
- Patrick Storchenegger: Serves as EF’s Swiss legal counsel, overseeing compliance with regulatory frameworks and jurisdictional requirements.
- Hsiao-Wei Wang: Acts as a liaison between the board and management team, facilitating smooth communication across governance levels.
EF has indicated plans to further strengthen the board’s capabilities in the coming months, ensuring it remains equipped to guide the foundation through complex technological and regulatory environments.
A Focused Two-Year Mandate for Strategic Transition
Tomasz K. Stańczak’s two-year term is not arbitrary—it corresponds to a critical window of transformation for Ethereum. This period is expected to include advancements in:
- Layer 2 scaling solutions
- Decentralized identity and privacy-preserving technologies
- Interoperability standards
- Institutional adoption pathways
By setting a defined timeframe, EF introduces a mechanism for periodic evaluation and renewal of leadership—promoting accountability while maintaining continuity.
This temporary mandate also signals a shift toward outcome-driven governance, where leadership roles are tied to specific developmental milestones rather than indefinite tenure.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why did the Ethereum Foundation choose a dual executive leadership model?
A: The Co-Executive Director structure allows for balanced decision-making by combining strategic foresight with operational expertise. It enhances resilience and reduces dependency on any single individual, aligning with Ethereum’s decentralized ethos.
Q: Is Vitalik Buterin stepping back from Ethereum?
A: No. While he does not hold an administrative role, Vitalik remains actively involved as a technical visionary and thought leader. His influence continues to shape Ethereum’s protocol design and philosophical direction.
Q: What happens after Tomasz K. Stańczak’s two-year term ends?
A: The foundation will evaluate the progress made during this transition period. Future leadership arrangements will be determined based on ecosystem needs, performance outcomes, and community feedback.
Q: How will this restructuring affect Ethereum development?
A: The changes are primarily organizational. Core protocol development remains driven by global contributors and client teams. However, improved governance may accelerate funding decisions, research coordination, and public communication.
Q: Will the Ethereum Foundation become more centralized?
A: No. This restructuring strengthens internal governance without altering Ethereum’s decentralized network architecture. Decision-making power over the protocol still resides with node operators, miners/validators, developers, and users.
Q: How can the community stay informed about EF’s activities?
A: EF commits to publishing regular updates on strategic initiatives, budget allocations, and project milestones through official channels. Increased transparency is a cornerstone of the new management approach.
Keywords Integration
This restructuring underscores key themes in Ethereum's evolution: Ethereum Foundation, Vitalik Buterin, blockchain governance, decentralized leadership, crypto organizational structure, Ethereum ecosystem, Web3 innovation, and sustainable blockchain development—all central to understanding how foundational entities adapt to support long-term growth.
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As Ethereum continues to lead in smart contract platforms and decentralized applications, the foundation’s ability to evolve its own structure serves as a powerful example of institutional maturity within the Web3 space. This reorganization isn’t just about titles—it’s about building systems that endure.