@geekygirldawn
Open source strategy consultant (details at https://fastwonder.com/), Director of Data Science / Governing Board member at CHAOSS, OpenUK board, runner, sci-fi, 3D printed designs, vegan, world traveler. Opinions my own.
Big thank you to Jason Hibbets and the @allthingsopen.bsky.social crew for posting my article about how to scale OSPO work when budgets shrink and teams get smaller! allthingsopen.org/articles/sca...
I had an opportunity to talk about Power Dynamics, Rug Pulls, and Other Corporate Impacts on OSS Sustainability at SCALE 2026 in Pasadena last weekend! As always, I had a lovely time at SCALE! More details about my talk can be found at fastwonderblog.com/2026/03/09/p... #scale23x
Actually, my talk is at 11:45 (not 11 because I'm apparently bad at reading schedules) in Ballroom H. I still have some CHAOSS earrings to give away! #scale23x
If you're here at #scale23x I have a selection of 3D printed CHAOSS earrings, so find me to get a pair! I also have a talk tomorrow at 11am. All of the details and the slides can be found here: www.socallinuxexpo.org/scale/23x/pr...
CHAOSS, Sustainability, and the Shifting Power Dynamics of Open Source - A conversation with Dawn Foster
www.linkedin.com/pul...
My recent conversation with Rachel on the Contribute: Beyond the Code podcast was a great excuse to reflect on what I’ve been thinking about OSPOs. We talked about demonstrating value, increasing impact, scaling OSPOs, strategic projects, sunsetting, and more!
fastwonderblog.com/2026/03/03/p...
Graphic reading “Applications Open! Sovereign Tech Fellowship” above a photo of five smiling people standing arm in arm, wearing matching black “Sovereign Tech Fellowship” hoodies. The text overlay states that the fellowship is open to FOSS maintainers, community managers, and tech writers, with applications due April 6th, 2026 at 11:59 PM (CET), and mentions freelance and employment options as well as flexible working hours.
🎉 Applications for the Sovereign Tech Fellowship are officially open!
What’s new? For the first time, community managers, and technical writers can apply alongside open source maintainers until April 6, 2026, to become Fellows.
I'm excited to be going back to SCALE in Pasadena this weekend! If you haven't already registered, you can use the promo code SPK23 to get 50% off! This blog post has a few more details about my talk for #scale23x
fastwonderblog.com/2026/01/19/s...
Yellow and red glass Chihuly tree in front of a lake in Kew Gardens
Purple and blue glass Chihuly spikes arranged amongst dome bushes in Kew gardens.
Spiky glass Chihuly tree with blue / black in the middle going to white at the tips of the spikes in a flower bed in kew gardens.
I’ve been to the Seattle exhibit a few times and they had an installation here in Kew Gardens a few years ago.
Post a pic you took, no context, to bring some zen to the feed.
Nice! I even knew it was a Chihuly before I looked at the alt text 😁
Leadership in open source requires influence without power, which can help build skills in leading through collaboration, influence, and empathy to help people become truly great managers and leaders. Here are some thoughts on OSS for building leadership skills:
fastwonderblog.com/2026/02/21/o...
The importance of upstream contributions should be highlighted within an OSPO's open source strategy to help leadership understand the importance of the work so that you can continue to do it. Here's a new blog post with a few details about how to do this:
fastwonderblog.com/2026/02/15/o...
What does it mean to be welcoming?
The whole point of adding community members is to change the community in some beneficial way. Being welcoming takes active, ongoing effort.
I was annoyed with the phone holder I've been using on my nightstand, so of course I designed a new one! I now have a cute little Tux penguin holding my phone. If you want to 3D print one for yourself, here's the design: makerworld.com/en/models/23...
Sustainable leadership for open source projects is something that I'm passionate about helping projects improve, so a huge thank you to the @allthingsopen.bsky.social crew for posting my article on the We Love Open Source site!
allthingsopen.org/articles/lea...
While we still have a lot of work to do, it feels like the conversations that I heard at OFE's EU Policy Summit are moving in the right direction from why to use open source to how open source can increase digital sovereignty. You can find my recap of the event at fastwonderblog.com/2026/02/07/d...
Chaotic pile of 3D printed CHAOSS logos and CHAOTIC pendants in various sizes on a dark grey couch.
If you missed our crafting session at CHAOSScon EU and wanted to 3D print your own CHAOSS logo or CHAOTIC pendant to make into earrings, key chains, necklaces, and more, you can find all of the designs at makerworld.com/en/models/68...
Open source sustainability impacts all of us. Seeing more people talking about funding at CHAOSScon and FOSDEM was great. Funding doesn’t solve all of our sustainability issues, but it is one tool that can help projects improve sustainability. Read more at
fastwonderblog.com/2026/02/02/f...
Here are the slides from my CHAOSScon EU session - Welcome: Demonstrating Organizational Value for Open Source Efforts.
fastwonderblog.com/wp-content/u...
Are here is a blog post on the topic: fastwonderblog.com/2025/07/22/d...
CHAOSScon starts in 15 minutes! I’ll be kicking it off with a welcome and then a talk about Demonstrating the Value of Open Source Efforts. You can watch the livestream here when it starts: youtube.com/playlist?lis...
The work that OSPOs do lends itself to providing information at scale via documentation and Q&A channels, since the work often involves policies, advice, and best practices. Here are a few suggestions and resources for providing this information at scale.
fastwonderblog.com/2026/01/24/o...
Manhattan in a martini glass with a purple octopus wine charm on the stem and a metal cocktail stick with 3 boozy cherries topped with a palm tree. Sitting on a wood side table.
I designed some 3D printed wine charms. They bring me joy (the Manhattan also helps with the joy) 😁 makerworld.com/en/models/22...
Meet Dr. Dawn Foster, Director of Data Science at CHAOSS. She helps teams improve open source strategy, governance, and contributor health. Get to know @geekygirldawn.bsky.social : youtu.be/DDcLkjSX1Qg #SCaLE23x
I'm so excited to be going back to @socallinuxexpo.bsky.social in March to talk about corporate impacts on open source sustainability! Here's are a few more details and a video I recorded about why I love SCALE along with a preview of my presentation!
fastwonderblog.com/2026/01/19/s...
It's easy to keep doing the same things without thinking about how they fit within your organization's goals. Being proactive and thinking strategically about this is something that can help your OSPO stand out as an important part of the business. More details: fastwonderblog.com/2026/01/10/a...
Ah, yes. The second work week of January where all of the meetings converge. I have 2 board meetings (one is a 6 hour strategy meeting) and am helping to facilitate a 3.5 hour workshop. Ooof.
This is Chili. He was invited to his first doggy pool party. Quickly learned he really, realllly likes doing belly flops. 13/10 (TT: goldenchilidog)
A huge thank you to the folks from the G-Research Open Source Software Outreach Podcast (GROSS OUT) who had me on their podcast to talk about some of my favorite things: governance, metrics, open source sustainability, and more! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znk5...
This is Ollie. He found a perfectly placed carrot snack on his walk. Simply can't believe his luck. 13/10 best day ever (TT: maxime_aries)
