Chris Donovan is a Chief Operating Officer (COO) and General Council at the NEAR Foundation, a Swiss-based non-profit supporting the ongoing growth and development of the NEAR Protocol. ^[1][2]

Education

Donovan attended the University of Cambridge where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Natural Sciences (BA (Hons), M.Sci) in Natural Sciences. Prior to that, he attended BPP Law School for a Legal Practitioner's Course, Law. ^[1]

Career

Chris Donovan began his career as a Trainee Solicitor at MACFARLANES LLP from 2013 to 2015. Afterward, he joined the Founding Team at 7bridges and served as a Legal Counsel until 2020. ^[1]

In April 2020, he joined web3 accelerator, Outlier Ventures as a Head of Legal and was promoted to Partner, Head of Legal & Commercial Director in 2022. Donovan also serves as a Senior Advisor at Charecroft Management & Investment (CMIL). ^[3]

NEAR Foundation

Donovan joined the NEAR Foundation in September 2023 following the stepdown of former CEO Marieke Flament. Chris Donovan temporarily took her place while she remained on the board. ^[4]

He was also appointed as General Council for the NEAR Foundation Council. The NEAR Foundation Council (NFC) is the governing body of the NEAR Foundation (similar to a board of directors) which is responsible for ultimate control and oversight of NF and making significant decisions for the organization. The NFC is separate from the NF’s executive team, which is empowered by the NFC to manage the NF’s day-to-day operations and reports back to the NFC (and seeks NFC approval where necessary for significant decisions). ^[5]

Donovan serves as the Chief Operating Officer COO) for NEAR Foundation overseeing day-to-day operations, implementing strategies, and ensuring operational efficiency to meet foundation goals. ^[1][2][5]