We are beyond thrilled to introduce the new WordPress Community Team Reps for 2025!
In this article
This year’s selection process was a true celebration of community spirit, with record-breaking engagement and a shared commitment to shaping the future of our vibrant team.
🌟 Reflecting on Progress: Evolving the Role of Team Reps
In 2024, we introduced a new structure for Community Team Reps, inspired by thoughtful discussions at the 2023 Community Summit. This updated framework brought several key changes:
- Extending the term for Team Reps to two years to ensure deeper impact and continuity.
- Increasing the number of Team Reps to four,
- with two Team Reps continuing from the previous year.
- and two Team Reps newly elected annually.
These adjustments fostered a smoother transition between terms and allowed for a balance of fresh perspectives and experienced guidance. In 2024, our incredible team consisted of:
- Leo Gopal (@leogopal)
- Junko Nukaga (@nukaga)
- Isotta Peira (@peiraisotta)
- Shusei Toda (@st810amaze)
Their leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact, and we are profoundly grateful for their service.
💪 The 2025 Selection Process: A Community Effort
This year’s nominations and voting process set a new standard for community participation! We received an impressive nine nominations, reflecting the enthusiasm and dedication of our members.
During the final voting, we saw unprecedented engagement, with the highest voter turnout in recent history. The results presented us with an exciting challenge: a tie for the second new Rep position. After thoughtful deliberation, the current Team Reps made the decision to welcome all three top-voted nominees, recognizing the value they bring to the team.
🌟 A Fond Farewell and New Beginnings
As we welcome the new Reps, we also celebrate the achievements of those stepping down.
- Leo Gopal (@leogopal) and Junko Nukaga (@nukaga) have completed their two-year terms, leaving a legacy of leadership and dedication.
- Shusei Toda (@st810amaze) will continue into his second year, offering his invaluable experience and guidance.
- Isotta Peira (@peiraisotta) will transition into an honorary role as a Team Rep Supporter, providing mentorship and advice to the new Reps while stepping back from the official title.
We deeply appreciate their contributions and know their influence will continue to shape the Community Team’s future.
🎉 Welcoming the 2025 Team Reps
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to the three exceptional reps who will help guide the WordPress Community in 2025:
Pooja Derashri (@webtechpooja)
Pooja began her WordPress journey in 2013 as a developer. In 2015, she co-founded WPVibes, a plugin development company. Her involvement with the WordPress community deepened in 2017 when she attended her first WordCamp, marking the start of her contribution journey.
Within the WordPress project, Pooja has held several significant roles. She served as Co-Team Rep of the Training Team for the 2022 and 2023 terms and made notable contributions to the WordPress releases.
She was part of the release squad for 6.3 & 6.4 as Test Lead. In 2024, she represented the Test Team and continues to serve as a General Translation Editor (GTE) for the Hindi locale. She is a member of the Plugin Review Team, and a co-organizer of the Ajmer WordPress Meetup. She is one of the organizers of the WordCamp Asia.
Pooja’s dedication to WordPress was recognized with the Kim Parsell Scholarship, which granted her the opportunity to attend WCUS 2022.
Unfortunately, visa issues prevented her attendance.
Based in Ajmer, a picturesque city in Rajasthan, India, Pooja balances her WordPress contributions with hobbies like gardening, exploring new places, and listening to music.
Aditya Kane (@adityakane)
He is passionate about community building and that passion led him on starting his journey as a contributor in 2012. He co-founded the WordPress meetup in Mumbai, which was the very first one in India.
He currently contributes to the project as a Program Manager on the Community Team, along with being part of the WordPress Incident Report Team.
Aditya Kane lives in Pune, India. He works as a freelance consultant for WordPress projects and agencies.
He believes that open-source, the open web, an open culture that nourishes, informs, changes and invites participation feels inherently authentic.
Kasirye Arthur (@thehopemonger)
Arthur has also spearheaded local groups such as the Elementor, WooCommerce, and WordPress Entebbe communities in Uganda.
Arthur Kasirye is a founding member of the WordPress community in Uganda, renowned for his leadership and mentorship roles. He has supported the global WordPress ecosystem as a community lead, mentor, and program supporter, guiding numerous WordCamp organizers worldwide.
A passionate advocate for localization, Arthur has contributed significantly to translating WordPress into Ugandan languages, including Luganda. He is also the founder of Kasiryelabs, a digital agency he established eight years ago, where he continues to excel as a web creator and creative designer.
Shusei Toda (@st810amaze)
Shusei is a creative director and business strategist based in Tokyo, Japan. With a background in web design and engineering, Shusei specializes in crafting comprehensive brand, corporate, and visual content for clients.
His expertise spans project management, photography, videography, and creative strategy. Since joining the WordPress Community, Shusei has been an active contributor both locally and globally.
We are excited to see their unique perspectives, creativity, and leadership come to life as they work alongside the broader community.
🚀 Looking Ahead
This announcement marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the WordPress Community Team. Thank you to everyone who participated in the nominations, voting, and discussions—it’s your engagement and passion that keep our community thriving.
Together, let’s continue to innovate, support one another, and grow as a community in 2025. Here’s to an incredible year ahead!
A big thanks goes out to (@nukaga) (@peiraisotta) (@st810amaze) for all their hard work and contributions during this process. None of this would have been possible without their deep care and understanding.
Sincerely, Leo Gopal (@leogopal)
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