Fellow OSI members, Affiliates, and advocates of our shared mission,
Today, we stand at a pivotal moment. The campaign has come to its conclusion, and the elections begin. This is not merely an exercise in formality—it is a defining moment in which we chart the course of our Board’s future. These elections will provide the Board with an order of preference of the respective interested parties among candidates who have put themselves forward or have been nominated by our network of Affiliates to replace this year’s vacancies.
I take immense pride in the breadth and quality of candidates before us this year. Even more so, I am heartened by the spirit of this campaign on these forums—one of civility, respect, and genuine discourse. It is a refreshing contrast to the rancor and discord that have tainted so many discussions on different channels. For this, I extend my gratitude to all candidates who have conducted themselves with dignity and honor.
As the only current Board member seeking re-election, I carry a dual responsibility: to participate as a candidate and to contribute to the final determination within the Board. I do not take this responsibility lightly. Therefore, while I am expressing here my personal preferences, my ultimate vote will be only guided by the broader vision and collective wisdom of our Board’s deliberations.
Let me begin with my unequivocal endorsement of my esteemed colleague, McCoy Smith for the individual Members election. McCoy embodies the expertise, diligence, and selflessness that our Board needs. A lawyer and licensing expert, his contributions to OSI have been nothing short of monumental. I have worked alongside McCoy for years as editors of IFOSSLR and elsewhere, and more recently in OSI, where he has reviewed all the approved licenses, as a part of retrospective analysis we have undertaken in an ad-hoc committee. I have no doubt that his election will be a very positive gain for the Board and for OSI at large. I urge you to place him at the top of your ballot.
This year also marks a bittersweet moment, as we bid farewell to the invaluable contributions of Pam Chestek, whose expertise and leadership have been instrumental in preserving the authority of OSI to define Open Source and approve compliant licenses, as well as a guide to us fellow members. In McCoy, I see the same level of commitment and expertise that Pam has exemplified—an irreplaceable asset to our Board.
Turning to our Affiliate candidates, I am proud to endorse two remarkable women who are on the ballot with me: Nadia Jiang and Ruth Suehle. Though my personal acquaintance with them is limited, I trust in the strong endorsement from Shane Coughlan and the outstanding reputation of the Apache Software Foundation, which has nominated Ruth. Their inclusion in the Board would bring invaluable perspectives, experience, and a steadfast commitment to the principles that guide us.
I have no doubt that these elections will offer a roster of good additions to the Board, individuals ready to lead with vision and integrity. Should I be re-elected along them, I pledge to work hand in hand with whomever is chosen, for the greater good of OSI and of the ideas we serve. Let us move forward with confidence, knowing that the choices we make today will shape a stronger, more vibrant future for us all.