Introducing the New Magento Association Board Members: Meet Sergej Derzap
When you speak with Sergej Derzap, one thing becomes immediately clear: his career has been shaped not just by technology, but by people, process, and community. Starting as a developer, he steadily moved into leadership roles where he learned how communication, collaboration, and strong team culture can transform both products and customer experience.
That natural focus on people is also what eventually brought Sergej deep into the Magento ecosystem.
“I’ve built teams, improved operations, and learned how great support can truly elevate a product,” he says. “The Magento community sits right at that intersection of technology, collaboration, and business growth.”
Today, Sergej joins the Magento Association Board with a clear mission: help merchants and developers succeed by strengthening the bonds within the ecosystem.
For Sergej, joining the Board is more than a professional milestone — it’s a chance to give back.
“What inspired me most was the opportunity to contribute to a community that has shaped so much of my professional life,” he explains. Over the years, he has seen how developers, merchants, agencies, and partners elevate Magento when they work together.
Now, he’s ready to help amplify those connections.
“Joining the Board felt like a natural next step — a way to bring my experience to the table and keep Magento open, innovative, and community-driven.”
The Mission: Keeping Magento Open, Connected, and Growing
Ask Sergej how he sees the Magento Association, and he describes it as a crucial bridge.
“The Association unites the entire ecosystem — developers, agencies, merchants, and partners — so Magento continues to grow as an open and innovative platform,” he says. “Without that shared space, the ecosystem would be fragmented. With it, we can move forward together.”
The MA’s pillars — Community Engagement, Open Source Code, Marketing, Open Collaboration, Growth & Governance, and Liaising with Adobe — are, in his view, the framework that keeps everything in balance.
“These commitments ensure that Magento remains sustainable. They make collaboration inclusive, preserve transparency in the code, support ecosystem growth, and keep communication with Adobe productive.”
He points to programs like Community-Led Prioritization, where contributors vote on pull requests shaping Magento’s roadmap, as perfect examples of these commitments in action.
“It reflects transparency, ownership, and real partnership between Adobe and the community.”
Why Membership Matters
Sergej believes joining the Magento Association offers both individuals and businesses a front-row seat to the future of Magento.
“It connects you to the heart of the ecosystem,” he says. “Members gain access to knowledge, networking, collaboration opportunities, and visibility.”
For individuals, that means professional growth through working groups, events, community programs, and direct interaction with experts from across the world.
For businesses, it unlocks credibility, partnership potential, and influence in shaping the platform they rely on.
“MA membership isn’t just networking,” Sergej adds. “It’s being part of a living, global community that grows stronger through shared knowledge and collaboration.”
Getting Involved: Start Small, Grow Big
For anyone new to Magento and curious where to begin, Sergej’s advice is straightforward:
“Join the Association, follow updates, join community calls, and participate in working groups that match your interests. Even small contributions — ideas, feedback, documentation — can lead to meaningful connections.”
He also highlights the Marketing Team as an area where volunteers are especially welcome.
“We’re always looking for people who want to contribute content. From single articles to ongoing newsletter support — there’s room for everyone.”
A Vision Focused on Merchant Awareness
Looking ahead, Sergej’s primary goal as a Board Member is crystal clear: help merchants better understand the power of Magento.
“Many businesses still underestimate its potential,” he says. “It remains one of the most feature-rich, flexible, and cost-effective open-source platforms available.”
Combined with its global network of extensions, agencies, and technical experts, Magento continues to offer scalability few platforms can match.
Sergej wants the Association to communicate this more effectively through stronger educational and marketing initiatives.
“Real-world success stories and practical advantages — that’s what merchants need to see.”
Connecting Community Creativity with Adobe’s Reach
Sergej envisions the Magento Association evolving into an even stronger amplifier of community initiatives.
“The MA can take grassroots ideas and, with Adobe’s partnership and reach, turn them into impactful, large-scale programs,” he explains. “That’s how we keep the ecosystem agile, innovative, and aligned with the future of eCommerce.”
Community Impact in Action
One example Sergej is particularly proud of is Community-Led Prioritization.
“It gave contributors the power to directly influence Magento’s development. It showed that community efforts can translate into real, tangible progress.”
This, he believes, is the MA at its best — empowering members, strengthening the open-source process, and deepening collaboration across the ecosystem.
A More Inclusive Future
Diversity and inclusion are also top priorities for Sergej.
“The MA fosters inclusion by creating open spaces where every voice matters — regardless of background, role, or geography,” he says.
Initiatives like open volunteer calls, regional events, and multi-disciplinary working groups all help bring new perspectives into the ecosystem.
“That’s how we ensure Magento remains global, diverse, and innovative.”
If You’re Thinking About Joining…
Sergej’s message is simple:
“Don’t hesitate. Your voice matters, and your contribution — big or small — shapes the future of Magento.”
Whether you’re a developer, merchant, marketer, or agency leader, joining the MA is an invitation to take an active role in the platform’s evolution.
“And for current members,” he adds, “stay active. Join discussions, participate in groups, share your expertise. The more you engage, the more value you gain — and the stronger our ecosystem becomes.”
Join the Magento Association Today!
The Magento Association thrives on the passion and contributions of its members. By becoming a member, you can be part of the decision-making, contribute to the community’s growth, and enjoy exclusive benefits like discounts for events and access to valuable resources.
