Mariana de la Roche Wills
I’m Mariana de la Roche Wills, the founder of BlackVogel by MdlRW, a consultancy born out of my passion for aligning innovation with purpose. With a background in law, human rights, and public administration, and over a decade of experience, I created BlackVogel to bring together a network of talented professionals under one umbrella. Together, we empower organizations and leaders to navigate the complexities of emerging technologies while fostering positive social impact.
A Bit More About Me
I’m Mariana de la Roche Wills, a Colombian-born leader in the blockchain and AI sectors, with over a decade of experience driving social impact through technology. As the founder of BlackVogel by MdlRW, I collaborate with independent consultants and professionals to provide expert guidance on harnessing technology responsibly and ethically.
My journey in this field began with a strong foundation in law, human rights, and public administration, which I have applied across various roles in Colombia and Germany, where I have been based for the past eight years. My passion lies in leveraging the transformative power of technology to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including sustainability, climate change, inclusivity, and transparency.
Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to bridging the gap between the public and private sectors. As a founding member and leader of BC100+, I have helped convene the blockchain ecosystem to support the UN Charter values and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, I serve on the Board of Directors for INATBA, where I co-chair the Social Impact and Sustainability Working Group, leading initiatives that align blockchain technology with global ethical and sustainability standards.
My work has also led me to actively contribute to EU regulation, particularly in areas like Blockchain, AI, Descentralized Finance, and Descentralized Autonomous Organizations, where I have facilitated large-scale discussions, synthesized stakeholder input, and drafted comprehensive reports. These experiences have reinforced my commitment to ensuring that technology serves the broader goal of social good, making it accessible, transparent, and beneficial for all.
After years of working at the intersection of technology, law, and social impact, I founded BlackVogel by MdlRW to unite a network of professionals who share my vision for ethical and impactful innovation. Through BlackVogel, we combine diverse expertise to help organizations navigate complex challenges, drive meaningful change, and ensure that innovation aligns with the goals of sustainability, inclusivity, and social good. This collaborative approach enables us to deliver tailored solutions that empower our clients to make a lasting difference.
Leadership Roles
UNICC, ITU, UNICC and Digital Dubai
Chair of the Blockchain WG at the Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds and AI – Discovering the Citiverse
Since April 2025
EU Commission
Member of the Expert Group drafting the first EU General‑Purpose AI Code of Practice
INATBA
Founder and Chair of the Blockchain and AI Convergence Task Force
Board of Directors
Chair of the Social Impact and Sustainability Working Group
Internet Governance Forum of the United Nations
Member of the Dynamic Coalition on Blockchain Assurance and Standardization (DC-BAS)
BC100+ Initiative with the patronage of the 77th president of the UNGA
Founding Member & Member of the Steering Committee
EU Blockchain Manifesto Initiative with the support of the EU Commission
Manifesto Core Group and leader of Pillar II: Social Impact and Sustainability
Cardano Constitutional Committee
Alternate Delegate of the Cardano Community as representative to review and ratify the Cardano Constitution.
Selected on the Geneva (Switzerland) Constitutional Workshop
Awards
Technology is just a tool, it’s up to us, the industry leaders to determine how we use it and guide others along the way.
Let’s keep up the great work!