As part of our Women’s Month series, meet Sandra Carrillo and Charlotte Léonard - two developers who found their stride on OnlyDust. Their stories are different. Their goals are different. But both are building, learning, and making Web3 stronger through open source.
From Venezuela to Open Source: Sandra’s Web3 Catalyst
Sandra didn’t get into Web3 for the hype. She came looking for stability. Living in Venezuela during an economic crisis, she needed a way to protect the value of her money. Stablecoins were her gateway - but the tech behind them pulled her deeper.
"I started to learn about stablecoins, and that led me into the rabbit hole of Web3."
Already a developer, Sandra discovered OnlyDust through H.E.R. DAO Global Basecamp. It instantly clicked. She dove into projects, made contributions, and already became a Diamond contributor on the platform. But beyond code, she found confidence - and a supportive community.
“It’s not just about building. It’s about asking questions, learning in public, and helping others do the same.”
Now, Sandra is exploring the DevRel and edtech side of Web3 - using her experience to open doors for the next wave of women developers.
From First PR to Full-Time Engineer: Charlotte’s Career Launch
Charlotte’s story started with curiosity - and a push from friends. With a background in mathematics and computer science, she checked out EthCC Paris and heard about OnlyDust for the first time. That meeting sparked everything.
"I had contributed to open source before, but I didn’t know you could be rewarded for it. That changed everything."
Her first steps weren’t smooth. No Python issues meant no contributions - so she put it aside. Later, she learned Cairo, gave it another shot, and never looked back. She started contributing to Giza, became a key contributor - and then they hired her.
“No interviews. They already knew my work. It was: when do you want to start?”
That opportunity launched her deeper into the Web3 space, and she’s since continued building, now working independently and exploring ZK-related projects as a freelancer.
Women in Web3: Same Space, Different Paths
Sandra and Charlotte both started with open source. They both discovered OnlyDust through Web3 events - one online (H.E.R. DAO Basecamp) and one through IRL event (EthCC Paris). And they both built something real - but in their own way.
- Sandra was already a developer. She used the platform to amplify her presence and grow her confidence.
- Charlotte built her entire Web3 career through her contributions, landing jobs without needing to “prove herself” in interviews.
What connects them is simple: they showed up, kept learning, and kept building.
Advice for Women Entering Web3? Start. Keep Going. Be Seen.
Charlotte:
“Start somewhere. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just try, fail, and try again.”
Sandra:
“You are valuable. Your code is valuable. Keep challenging yourself to grow.”
Both remind us: You don’t need to be perfect to start. You just need to begin.
💡 Ready to contribute to real Web3 projects?
Explore opportunities, connect with maintainers, and build your track record on OnlyDust.