Board Election 2024 Candidate: Alejandro Moreno

Who are you? (biography/background)

Alejandro is a seasoned Computer Scientist specializing in Artificial Intelligence and a renowned speaker in the Drupal and CMS community. He has delivered a wide range of talks on Drupal, Software Engineering, and Project Management to audiences ranging from dozens to several thousand. Notable appearances include:

• Drupalcamp in London (2020)

• Drupalcon Amsterdam (2020)

• Drupalcon Barcelona (2021, remote due to the pandemic), where he introduced Dries Buytaert's Driesnote

• Drupalcon Prague (2022)

• Drupalcon Lille (2023)

• Drupalcon Pittsburgh (2023)

• Drupalcon Portland (2024)

• Developer Days in Guent

Over his dynamic career, Alejandro has embraced various roles, from software development to leading teams of different sizes, and he was also the co-founder of a number of companies in the Technology, Content Management, Online Marketing and Tourism sectors. He has served as a Software Engineer, Consultant, and Technical Architect at renowned companies like Capgemini and Acquia, contributing to high-profile projects for brands such as Royal Mail, Parcelforce, the BBC, Novartis, or Bayer.

As the Innovation Manager at the Drupal Association, Alejandro has significantly influenced the future direction of Drupal. He initiated key projects includig the Bounty Program, which strategically directs contributions to high-impact areas, and the Contribution Health Dashboards, which provide valuable insights into the state and health of the Drupal community and its open-source projects.

Today, he works as Partner Manager and Developer Relations for Pantheon, a cloud company that builds tools for developers specialized in Drupal and WordPress hosting, based in San Francisco (US).

Why are you running for a board seat at the Drupal Association? (mission/motivation)

A year ago, I embarked on a journey with the Drupal Association, where I managed and contributed to the success of the Pitchburgh initiative. During this time, I also created the Contribution Dashboards, kick-started the Bounty program, made significant user onboarding improvements, and began identifying and addressing friction points in the contribution process.

However, there is still much more work to be done. My motivation for running for a board seat stems from a commitment to further these efforts and support new and existing programs that are vital to our community’s growth and innovation.

Ongoing and Future Initiatives

• Supporting New Programs like Starshot: This initiative is crucial for driving forward-looking innovation and ensuring that Drupal remains at the cutting edge of technology and community engagement.

• Continuing Existing Programs:

  • Bounty Program: Further developing this program to incentivize and reward valuable contributions from the community.

  • Contribution Dashboards: Enhancing these tools to provide better insights and support for contributors.

My detailed pledge and commitments can be read on my Drupal update what's next for Drupal innovation.

My Vision and Commitments

As a member of the Board of Directors, I plan to build on my original commitment to the community, with a focus on:

• Pushing for Innovation: Driving forward initiatives that foster a culture of continuous improvement and creativity within the Drupal project.

• Attracting Younger Talent: Supporting initiatives that attract and nurture younger talent, which is essential for the future of our community and project.

• Improving Documentation: Ensuring that new generations and newcomers find it easier than ever to get started with Drupal.

• Promoting Drupal: Bolstering existing efforts to promote Drupal, ensuring it remains a leading choice for developers and organizations worldwide.

• Fundraising: Helping to raise funds to support and sustain new and ongoing initiatives that align with our goals of innovation, community growth, and project sustainability.

I am deeply committed to using my experience and passion for Drupal to drive positive change and ensure the continued success and growth of our community and project. Your support will enable me to further these initiatives and help us achieve our shared vision for the future.

Why should members vote for you? (qualifications)

With nearly 2 decades in the industry, I have a vast experience in different areas, from enterprise to SME companies, while my career has given me the opportunity to contribute in roles as diverse as Software Engineering, Technical architect, Solutions Architect, Developer Relations, and now, Partner Manager in Pantheon.

That vast and diverse experience gives me an edge to position myself in a privileged situation to have a true impact in the community and the Drupal project.

Diverse Industry Experience

I have had the privilege of working in different areas, from large enterprises to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This range has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by organizations of all sizes.

Multifaceted Career Roles

Throughout my career, I have contributed in a variety of roles, including:

• Software Engineering: Hands-on experience in coding and development.

• Technical Architect: Designing and overseeing complex technical solutions.

• Solutions Architect: Crafting scalable and effective solutions for diverse business needs.

• Developer Relations: Bridging the gap between developers and the wider community, fostering collaboration and innovation.

• Partner Manager at Pantheon: Managing strategic partnerships and driving mutual growth.

• Innovation Manager at the Drupal Association: Leading initiatives to drive innovation within the Drupal community, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and creative problem-solving.

Impact on the Community and Drupal Project

My extensive and varied background uniquely  positions me to bring a holistic perspective to the community and the Drupal project. Here’s how I plan to make a difference:

• Holistic Understanding: My experience allows me to understand and address the needs and concerns of different stakeholders within the community.

• Innovative Solutions: Drawing on my diverse experience , I can contribute innovative solutions and strategies to propel the Drupal project forward.

• Strategic Partnerships: Leveraging my role at Pantheon, I can foster strategic partnerships that benefit the community and enhance the Drupal ecosystem.

• Driving Innovation: As Innovation Manager at the Drupal Association, I have led initiatives that have driven innovation and improvement within the Drupal community. This role has allowed me to cultivate a forward-thinking mindset that is crucial for the ongoing evolution of the project.

I am committed to using my extensive experience and skills to drive positive change, foster collaboration, and ensure the continued success and growth of the community and the Drupal project. Your vote will enable me to bring these qualifications to bear in serving and advancing our shared goals.

A year ago, I embarked on a journey with the Drupal Association, where I managed and contributed to the success of the Pitchburgh initiative. During this time, I also created the Contribution Dashboards, kick-started the Bounty program, made significant user onboarding improvements, and began identifying and addressing friction points in the contribution process.

However, there is still much more work to be done. My motivation for running for a board seat stems from a commitment to further these efforts and support new and existing programs that are vital to our community’s growth and innovation.

Ongoing and Future Initiatives

• Supporting New Programs like Starshot: This initiative is crucial for driving forward-looking innovation and ensuring that Drupal remains at the cutting edge of technology and community engagement.

• Continuing Existing Programs:

  • Bounty Program: Further developing this program to incentivize and reward valuable contributions from the community.

  • Contribution Dashboards: Enhancing these tools to provide better insights and support for contributors.

You can read my detailed pledge and commitments on my Drupal Innovation blog.

My Vision and Commitments

As a member of the Board of Directors, I plan to continue my initial commitment to the community, with a focus on:

• Pushing for Innovation: Driving forward initiatives that foster a culture of continuous improvement and creativity within the Drupal project.

• Attracting Younger Talent: Supporting initiatives that attract and nurture younger talent, which is essential for the future of our community and project.

• Promoting Drupal Initiatives: Bolstering existing efforts to promote Drupal, ensuring it remains a leading choice for developers and organizations worldwide.

• Fundraising: Helping to raise funds to support and sustain new and ongoing initiatives that align with our goals of innovation, community growth, and project sustainability.

I am deeply committed to using my experience and passion for Drupal to drive positive change and ensure the continued success and growth of our community and project. Your support will enable me to further these initiatives and help us achieve our shared vision for the future.