New York-based ethereum development startup ConsenSys has revealed a number of new hires, including several IBM employees and the former CEO of South Africa's central securities depository (CSD).

ConsenSys announced today that John Wolpert, former global blockchain offering director, will work to advance the startup's product and venture efforts. Monica Singer, who left Strate this summer after working for the CSD since the late 1990s, is set to serve as its "Blockchain Ambassador" with a focus on financial markets.

"I am so happy to have joined such an amazing team," Singer said in an emailed statement.

Wolpert and Singer are among the twenty hires unveiled today. The startup also highlighted the new role for Kavita Gupta, who, as reported last month, is spearheading a $50 million venture fundthat ConsenSys plans to use to invest in a range of ethereum-focused startups.

Two other former IBM employees have joined the ConsenSys team. Maggie Love, who previously worked for IBM's Watson Group, will serve as director of strategic initiatives and business development.  Johnny Howle was a member of IBM's blockchain team up until August and is now the startup's product designer for uPort, an ethereum-based identity system.

The list of hires includes those coming from a range of companies and organizations that have focused on blockchain in recent months, including professional services firms Deloitte and EY, database giant Oracle and the Chamber of Digital Commerce trade group, among others. Ryan Selkis, CoinDesk's former managing director, will serve as the startup's entrepreneur-in-residence, according to the announcement.

ConsenSys has also beefed up its Australia-based office, naming four new developers to its team.

Original news: https://www.coindesk.com/ethereum-startup-consensys-hires-ibm-oracle-execs-sizeable-expansion-push/