DEF Strengthens Legal and Policy Team with Two Key Hires

Today, DeFi Education Fund (DEF) is thrilled to announce that Ayana Dow and Talia Davis have joined the organization. 

Ayana joins DEF as Senior Counsel, where she will advise on regulatory matters, proposed rulemakings, and legislation. Talia Davis will serve as Vice President of Government Relations, leading DEF’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill.

Digital asset policy is continuing to develop at a rapid pace in D.C. and abroad, and with this unprecedented momentum, DEF’s work has never been more important. With unique and complementary expertise, Ayana and Talia will help DEF accelerate our work, advocating for sound DeFi policy and protecting the rights of developers, users, and projects to freely build decentralized infrastructure and technology.

“As lawmakers contemplate crucial decisions that will shape the future of digital assets and DeFi, DEF is ramping up our efforts. Ayana and Talia bring unique experience and the additional firepower we need to meet this moment,” said Amanda Tuminelli, Executive Director of the DeFi Education Fund. “The DeFi industry will benefit from the addition of these incredible leaders, and I am so excited to have them join the DEF team.”

Prior to joining DEF, Ayana was a lawyer in the Futures and Derivatives practice group at WilmerHale, where she specialized in advising financial services institutions and digital asset companies on legislative, regulatory, and compliance matters. Previously, Ayana worked in the Government Affairs & Public Policy group at Steptoe LLP, and served as a policy fellow for former House Majority Whip James Clyburn. Ayana holds her J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, and a B.S. in Political Science from Towson University.

Previously, Talia served as a federal lobbyist for Kia Corporation, where she led advocacy efforts on a wide range of issues impacting the automotive and trade industries. Prior, she spent seven years at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), and began her career in the office of U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, where she gained early experience in legislative strategy and constituent engagement. Talia holds a B.A. in Political Science and History from the University of Oregon.