Solana Foundation Adds Ex-Binance CMO and Payments Veteran to Boost Partnerships

Ex‑Binance CMO Leads Institutional Outreach

The Solana Foundation announced on September 24, 2026 that it has appointed former Binance chief marketing officer Rachel Conlan and payments executive Jamal Raees to senior leadership roles, aiming to accelerate institutional partnerships and ecosystem growth. The hires are expected to expand Solana's reach among enterprises and financial institutions.

The appointments come as Solana seeks to broaden its institutional footprint and integrate more payment solutions into its network. The foundation hopes the new leaders will help it capture a larger share of the growing blockchain market.

Rachel Conlan will head the foundation’s institutional partnerships team, focusing on forging alliances with enterprises, banks and other key players. Her background in large‑scale marketing and brand strategy at Binance equips her to navigate complex corporate relationships.

Can Payments Expert Accelerate Solana’s Financial Adoption?

Jamal Raees, formerly a payments executive at a major fintech firm, will drive the expansion of Solana’s payment‑focused initiatives. He aims to integrate seamless transaction services that can attract merchants and financial institutions to the platform.

The new leadership is expected to fast‑track partnership deals and boost user adoption across sectors. Industry observers say the moves could position Solana as a leading blockchain for enterprise and financial services. This shift could also inspire other blockchain projects to strengthen leadership teams.

Who were appointed to senior roles at the Solana Foundation? Rachel Conlan, the former chief marketing officer of Binance, was appointed to a senior leadership role. Jamal Raees, a payments executive, was also appointed to a senior leadership role.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will Rachel Conlan’s main responsibilities be? She will manage the foundation’s institutional partnerships team, focusing on building relationships with enterprises, banks and other key organizations. Her role includes driving ecosystem growth and securing strategic alliances that can expand Solana’s reach.

How will Jamal Raees contribute? Raees will lead efforts to integrate payment solutions into the Solana network, aiming to attract merchants and financial institutions. His experience in fintech is expected to accelerate transaction adoption.

When will the new roles take effect? The appointments are effective immediately, starting September 24, 2026.