Skip to content

index.html

Hi I’m Georgi, I’m a fellow member and a mother of 2 teenage kids. I received the PSF Community Service award in Q4 2020 and this is the first time I’m running for the board of Directors. The Python community is not only people who help improve the language and packages, but also people behind the backstage organising meet-ups, conferences, or forums. I belong to the 2nd group. I speak 8 different languages and code as a hobby. Being a novice in Python, I don’t give talks on 101 Python tips and tricks but I contribute to what I’m good at: design, project managing, marketing and events. I learn when developers give their talks and share their experiences in events I help create. Contributing as a volunteer is never a bed of roses. But the Python community has always been extremely helpful and supportive. Many successes would not have happened without these friends. Being an immigrant living in several countries, a woman over 40 with no CS certification, a lefty with atypical learning path, an ex-teacher for students with mental disabilities, I also advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Below is an overview of my contributions to the community -

Community contributions

In Thailand and APAC:

  • Helped design PyCon TH logo in 2018
  • Managed marketing for PyCon TH in 2019
  • Conference lead PyCon TH in 2019 (which unfortunately had to cancel due to COVID)
  • Conference lead PyCon APAC in 2021
  • Advisor for organiser of CUPy (Chulalongkorn University Python)

In PyLadies community:

  • Co-founded PyLadies Bangkok
  • Part of the global PyLadies Interim council
  • Assisted in translation to French and Chinese in documentation
  • Co-organised the first PyLadies International Women’s Day along with Lorena Mesa (Chicago) and Tereza Iofciu (Hamburg)

In DEI efforts:

  • Member of the PSF D&I Workgroup
  • Spoke in D&I panel at PyCon US 2022, PyCascades 2021, PyCon APAC 2021
  • Assisted the formation of Microsoft APAC’s “Code; Without Barrier”
  • Spoke at Microsoft APAC’s “Code; Without Barrier” launch in 2021
  • Spoke about Bridging Differences in Microsoft APAC’s “Code; Without Barrier” in 2021
  • Studied Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace offered by the University of South Florida Muma College of Business
  • Collaborated with PyCon organisers in Asia for PyCon APAC 2021 to create more diverse Asian represented talk contents
  • Included multiple language chatrooms in PyCon APAC 2021 to create a more diverse environment for attendees

Others projects:

  • Spoke in Open Source and Community Building led by Abigail Mesrenyame Dogbe
  • Spoke in “A Day in a life of a WFH Pythonista” by Python PH
  • Author of PyCon Organiser’s handbook
  • Wrote “How to give Positive Criticism””, on Revue
  • Designed PyCon US 2022 and fund-raising assets. (Web, swag, on-site and online visual materials)
  • Designed PyCon US 2021 online platform assets
  • Co-organiser of Bangkok.RB and RubyConf Thailand 2019
  • Co-organised and assisted in events such as Codewar and Hacktoberfest BKK for developers of all languages.

Goals as a board member:

Expanding awareness about PSF membership During the year leading PyCon APAC, I realised that many developers and active community leaders (outside EU and US) were either not PSF members or have not even heard of the PSF membership. I hope to continue drawing more awareness to the works of the PSF to regions of active Python developers similar to the membership campaign created in Thailand where all 14 of the PyCon APAC organising team signed up as members to help push the membership drive.

Create a more diverse and inclusive Python ecosystem Although the most number of Python users comes from Asia, Africa and South America, the current votes and seats in the PSF board are not projecting a balanced and healthy geographical representation. I hope to help create a more welcoming environment for a diversified community just like how Python is spread around the world.

Create lower learning curve for new contributors to the Python language, packages and infrastructure around the community. Attending PyCon US 2022 in-person and interacting with core developers and active community leaders has given me a clearer perspective on the future of Python. I look forward to contributing in this aspect and help encourage more new contributors from different aspects.

Create accessibility to welfare for Python community Python community thrives not only because the language is versatile, but also because of the humanity among the contributors in the community. While the language is what brought everyone together, people is the key to the growth and sustainability of the community. I believe by creating easier accessibility for those who need positive encouragement, mental support, guidance, and empathy could reinforce PSF and the future of Python.

Finally, I hope if elected, my presence on the board will encourage more under-represented Python contributors and community leaders to step up in future.