Cardano Growth Starts With Its Community, Says Intersect Committee Member Josefine Birkigt

Josefine Birkigt, known as Josie, discussed Cardano’s growth challenges, community involvement, and her role on Intersect’s Growth and Marketing Committee (GMC) during an interview at Rare Evo 2026.

Drawing on her experience as an investor, startup professional, and Cardano Foundation team member, she argued that sustainable ecosystem development requires understanding community needs rather than relying on marketing alone.

Her approach centers on a principle developed throughout her career: involving people in shaping products and strategies instead of expecting them to accept decisions made without their input.

Why Community Feedback Matters for Cardano’s Growth

Josie entered the Cardano ecosystem in 2022 as an individual investor before moving into professional roles with projects building on the blockchain.

She later joined the Cardano Foundation’s community team, where her responsibilities include engaging with ecosystem participants and understanding their concerns.

During Rare Evo, the Foundation spoke with visitors interested in ADA, Cardano developments, and opportunities within the network. Josie described the conversations as constructive, noting that attendees shared suggestions for improving community support.

Some of those ideas could influence the Foundation’s future activities, although she did not announce specific initiatives or implementation dates.

The interview also addressed criticism within the Cardano community.

Josie acknowledged that community members can be demanding and direct, particularly when expectations are not met. However, she views criticism as an opportunity to understand what participants need and why particular issues matter to them.

Rather than treating complaints as obstacles, she believes organizations should examine the concerns behind them.

That perspective reflects her broader approach to community engagement: ensuring that people with different experiences and priorities have opportunities to make their voices heard.

From Cardano Startups to Intersect’s Growth and Marketing Committee

Josie was elected to Intersect’s Growth and Marketing Committee in 2026, bringing professional experience in public relations, social media, and community development.

Before joining the Cardano Foundation, she led marketing teams and served as CEO of an agency specializing in building communities for organizations and projects.

That background influenced how she approaches product development and ecosystem growth.

As she explained during the interview, “it's always better to co-create” than simply present a finished product and expect people to purchase or adopt it.

Her experience within Cardano also includes working with startups such as Book.io, giving her direct exposure to the challenges smaller development teams face.

At the Cardano Foundation, she gained another perspective through an organization that engages with businesses, institutions, and broader regulatory considerations.

Josie believes these experiences can help connect the priorities of individual users, emerging projects, and established organizations.

The GMC brings together professionals from Japan, the United States, and Europe, including specialists in enterprise development, real-world assets, marketing, and creative industries.

According to Josie, this diversity allows committee members to approach Cardano’s growth from multiple perspectives rather than relying on a single marketing discipline.

Her contribution focuses on applying community-building experience alongside the expertise of other committee members.

The interview did not introduce a new marketing campaign, funding commitment, or formal GMC decision. Instead, it provided insight into how one of the committee’s elected members approaches its broader responsibilities.

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How Cardano Community Members Can Participate in Intersect

Josie also explained how individuals interested in Cardano governance and ecosystem development can become involved in Intersect.

Her advice begins with three practical considerations: identifying personal interests, understanding one's professional expertise, and determining how much time can realistically be committed.

She emphasized that participation does not require immediately running for an elected position.

Community members can attend committee meetings, participate in Discord discussions, contribute ideas, and become familiar with existing initiatives before considering a formal role.

This provides an opportunity to understand committee responsibilities while demonstrating relevant knowledge and willingness to collaborate.

Josie also highlighted the commitment associated with elected membership.

Intersect’s committee terms were extended to two years beginning with the 2026 election cycle. Although elected members can receive compensation for their contributions, she stressed that genuine interest and the ability to maintain involvement over time are equally important.

Her own experience illustrates a path from individual ADA investor to startup contributor, Cardano Foundation employee, and elected Intersect committee member.

For others considering that progression, her recommendation is to begin by contributing to an existing committee rather than waiting for an election.

Attending meetings, sharing expertise, and participating in ongoing discussions offers a practical way to understand the work before deciding whether to take on a two-year elected commitment.