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January 13th, 2026
In the latest episode of our podcast, Demia’s founder and CEO Mat Yarger spoke with Monique Morrow, a pioneer in digital identity, cybersecurity, and ethical technology, and board member of MyUnicBrain. Their conversation explored a fundamental question shaping the future of innovation: why trust determines the future of tech, teams, and transformation. From blockchain and digital identity to AI and sustainable systems, trust is the invisible foundation that allows technology, organizations, and markets to evolve responsibly.
Monique has spent decades helping organizations understand that trust isn’t optional but essential. In her experience, even the most groundbreaking technology will falter if the systems supporting it aren’t credible, transparent, and accountable. She draws from real-world examples: in Austin, she saw how homeless populations struggled to access support programs simply because their identities and documents weren’t reliably verifiable. “You can have housing programs, healthcare programs, and support systems, but if someone can’t prove who they are, the system fails them,” she notes.
This principle extends far beyond social programs. In technology, particularly emerging fields like blockchain, AI, and Web3, trust determines whether solutions are adopted or ignored. Investors, partners, and communities need confidence that systems work as promised and that their data and interactions are protected.
Monique emphasizes that digital identity is central to establishing trust in the 21st century. She shares her experience studying blockchain and digital currencies, and working with organizations like the UN on verifying identities for peacekeeping operations. By making identity verifiable and secure, organizations can unlock access to services, capital, and opportunities without creating unnecessary friction.
“This is not just about technology – it’s about human impact,” Monique explains. Whether it’s ensuring a person’s documents survive a flood or enabling an organization to open a bank account with confidence, verified identity is a prerequisite for meaningful action. Trust, in this sense, becomes measurable, not abstract.
Monique also highlights the importance of governance structures in decentralized networks. Using her experience on boards of blockchain initiatives, she explains how accountability to multiple stakeholders – not just internal leadership – is key to building credibility. In these networks, trust is reinforced through transparency, responsible governance, and consistent adherence to standards. “Without trust, adoption collapses,” she says.
For founders and innovators, this lesson is clear: design systems where accountability is built in. Whether it’s a blockchain network, an AI platform, or a sustainable supply chain, the most successful systems are those that make trust visible, auditable, and actionable.
Early-stage companies often focus on solving a narrow technical problem. Monique calls this the “solution trap.” While innovation is critical, she argues that without a clear business stack that shows where a solution fits and how it preserves trust and security, the impact is limited.
For example, a startup working on AI-driven voice authentication must demonstrate not just that their algorithm works, but how it interacts with existing systems, how it withstands attacks, and how trust is maintained at every layer. Monique calls this paranoid productivity: designing every system with foresight into how it could fail, and planning for mitigation from the start.
Monique’s focus on AI for good demonstrates another dimension of trust: ethical decision-making. She chairs international working groups on ethics in extended reality and the metaverse, helping organizations navigate how emerging technologies intersect with human behavior, privacy, and safety. Ethical design is not an add-on – it’s a core component of trust.
She emphasizes that founders must consider not only the capabilities of their technologies but also the societal impact. “You have to ask the tough questions: Why am I doing this? Who benefits? Who could be harmed?” Monique says. These questions guide the creation of systems that are reliable, responsible, and enduring.
Trust also flows through the people behind the technology. Monique shares her philosophy: founders and leaders must be authentic and consistent. “Be known well, not well-known,” she advises. Beyond visibility or hype, long-term credibility comes from integrity, follow-through, and alignment of values. For teams, this means cultivating cultures that reward accountability, openness, and collaboration – qualities that sustain trust across stakeholders.
Monique’s work on digital identity, governance, and responsible technology aligns closely with the principles guiding Demia: trust, transparency, and accountability. Both emphasize that systems, teams, and technologies succeed only when they earn and deserve trust.
At Demia, we put this into practice by connecting real-world operations with verified data, enabling industries to innovate responsibly, attract investment confidently, and accelerate sustainable transformation. Monique’s insights reinforce a central truth we see every day: trust is the currency that powers meaningful, lasting progress.
🎧 Listen to the full episode:
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