Announcing the Renewed Vision for Magento Association: Driving new Initiatives, Empowering the Future Together

We are excited to unveil a new chapter for the Magento Association, marking the evolution of our vision and expanding the ways we support the Magento ecosystem. As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth within the Magento community. 

Before deciding on a new vision, we engaged with the community and listened to them at events and on social media. Our updated initiative framework now includes six core tracks, each designed to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of Magento and the broader commerce landscape.

6 Pillars of Progress:

1. Community Engagement: Connecting, Recognizing, and Empowering
2. Magento Open Source Code: Bridging Development and Community Impact
3. Magento Opensource Marketing: Amplifying Our Global Voice
4. Open Collaboration: Unlocking Opportunities for Shared Success
5. Growth and Governance: Ensuring a Sustainable Future
6. Liaising with Adobe

Together, these six tracks provide a comprehensive framework that will drive the next phase of evolution and collaboration within the Magento community. We seek support from the community across the globe to participate and help the community thrive with Magento Open Source.

Wishing open, inclusive, and future-focused years ahead.

• Joshua Warren stepped down as President but will continue attending Board meetings until the new President fully settles in. We deeply appreciate his contributions and look forward to his continued insights during this transition.
• Slava Kravchuk transitions from Vice President (VP) to President. Slava’s vision and passion for the Magento ecosystem promise a fresh, forward-thinking perspective on driving innovation within our community.
• Vatsal Shah is our new VP, bringing extensive industry expertise that will help shape the Association’s strategic direction.
• Danny Verkade remains in his role as Treasurer, ensuring our financial stability and transparent operations.

Vijay Golani joins the Board through a public vote, while Laura Folco and Ollie Hunt earned their seats via the slate election process.

An important procedural update involves annual Board elections, designed so that three Board members rotate out each year. This rotation ensures a continuous influx of new ideas, diverse perspectives, and steady leadership development.

By blending fresh faces with experienced members, we’re creating a structure that remains agile and responsive to the community’s evolving needs.

With each new group of Board members, we see a renewed commitment to:

• Supporting the Magento ecosystem and community events
• Fostering innovation through community collaborations
• Providing educational resources for developers and merchants
• Maintaining open channels for feedback and involvement

We’re energized by the opportunities these leadership changes present and are eager to continue building a vibrant, inclusive community.

Under President Slava Kravchuk’s directive, every major initiative or strategic goal (what we’re calling “focus areas”) will be assigned a specific Board member who is both responsible and accountable for driving progress.

• Clear Accountability: Each focus area has a dedicated champion who ensures milestones are met and communicates progress regularly.
• Streamlined Decision-Making: With one person at the helm for each initiative, it’s easier to collaborate, resolve issues, and stay agile.
• Enhanced Transparency: The community can quickly identify who to contact for updates, suggestions, or to get involved.

Below are the six main categories we’re focusing on this year. Each category contains multiple activities—23 in total—that will further our mission and serve the Magento community. We encourage you to reach out, get involved, and share feedback to help shape these initiatives.

Community Engagement is all about bringing people together—online and offline—to share knowledge, experiences, and foster meaningful connections. Through events, forums, local meetups, and more, we aim to cultivate an environment where every Magento enthusiast can learn, collaborate, and grow.

Proceed to Checkout Podcast Revival

We’re excited to bring back the “Proceed to Checkout” Podcast, a Magento Association initiative aimed at sharing insights, best practices, and success stories from across the Magento ecosystem. Led by Board Member Laura Folco, this revival will spotlight community voices—from developers to merchants—while offering fresh perspectives on the latest trends and challenges in eCommerce. Expect engaging interviews, expert tips, and behind-the-scenes looks at what’s shaping Magento’s future, all in a convenient, on-the-go format.

Open Source Contribution Recognition

Expanding beyond the original scope of "Magento Masters," this initiative led by Board Member Vijay Golani aims to revive and reimagine a structured recognition program for the Magento community. The program will operate on two distinct focus areas:

1. Highlighting Open Source Contributions: This includes tracking and rewarding tangible contributions to Magento Open Source, such as code commits, bug fixes, documentation, and design enhancements. Contributors will earn recognition points for their efforts, fostering a transparent and inclusive contribution culture.
2. Celebrating Broader Community Engagement: In addition to technical contributions, the program will also spotlight and commend individuals who enrich the ecosystem through community support, event organization, mentoring, and advocacy—reflecting the legacy of the former Magento Masters program.

By clearly defining these two focus areas, we aim to honor the diverse ways people strengthen the Magento ecosystem. This dual approach ensures that both community-driven innovation and collaboration are celebrated, creating a culture where every contribution matters.

Magento Association Swag Initiative

Merchandise is more than just fun gear—it’s a way for our community to show their Magento pride and strengthen the sense of belonging at events and online. Led by Board Member Willem Wigman, this initiative focuses on designing, producing, and distributing high-quality Magento Association swag. From stylish T-shirts to must-have stickers, each piece of merchandise not only supports our organization’s branding but also fosters a tangible sense of unity among members around the globe.

Enhanced Board & Committee Communications

Clear, consistent communication is vital to keeping our community engaged and informed. Under the leadership of Laura Folco, we’re strengthening our processes and channels to ensure timely updates from both the Board and our committees. By setting higher standards and implementing more effective communication tools, we aim to keep everyone in the loop—whether it’s about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, or the latest Magento developments—and foster a more transparent, collaborative environment.

Magento’s open-source roots are at the heart of its success. This category focuses on supporting, improving, and promoting the Magento Open Source code base. From bug triaging to new feature proposals, our goal is to ensure Magento remains robust, secure, and innovative for developers and merchants around the world.

Major Community Feature Merge Initiative

Under the guidance of Laura Folco, we’re pushing to have at least one major community-driven feature integrated into the Magento Open Source codebase. This initiative not only underscores our commitment to open collaboration but also highlights the impressive talents and ideas within our community. By championing a key feature from ideation to final merge, Laura aims to inspire others to contribute their innovative solutions and help shape the future of Magento Open Source.

Magento Open Source Development Documentation

Ensuring clear, accessible resources for all developers is essential to growing the Magento ecosystem. Led by Danny Verkade, this initiative focuses on creating comprehensive, easy-to-follow documentation for Magento Open Source. By offering best practices, code examples, and step-by-step guidance, we aim to empower both newcomers and seasoned professionals to innovate confidently and contribute effectively to the platform’s ongoing evolution.

Community Council Maintenance and Oversight

Under the guidance of Laura Folco, the Community Council plays a pivotal role in ensuring the continued evolution and stability of Magento Open Source. The Council collaborates closely with Adobe and the broader community to streamline contributions, prioritize improvements, and maintain high standards of quality and security across the ecosystem.

In addition to code reviews, the Council actively fosters collaboration by engaging with community maintainers and providing transparency in its roadmap and decision-making processes. This initiative underscores the Magento Association's commitment to empowering the community and driving progress through shared responsibility.

Effective marketing is vital for showcasing the power of the Magento platform and the vibrancy of our community. This category encompasses campaigns, brand awareness initiatives, and outreach strategies that highlight Magento’s benefits to merchants, developers, and partners across the globe.

Brand and Content Strategy

A compelling, cohesive voice is crucial for building a vibrant, connected Magento community. Under the leadership of Danny Verkade, and with the collaborative efforts of Laura Folco, Vatsal Shah, Ollie Hunt, and Vijay Golani, the Magento Association is developing a unified brand and content strategy that showcases the strengths of our platform. From social media engagement to official publications, this initiative aims to ensure consistent, high-quality storytelling and a clear brand identity—one that resonates with community members, fosters shared learning, and amplifies the global impact of Magento.

Magento Showcase Initiative

To highlight the creative capabilities and success stories of agencies and merchants in the Magento ecosystem, the Magento Association is launching a new Magento Showcase Initiative. Led by Vatsal Shah, this effort provides community members with a dedicated platform to demonstrate the power and flexibility of Magento. By spotlighting standout projects—from stunning storefront designs to advanced integrations—the Magento Showcase Initiative will inspire others to push the boundaries of what’s possible and celebrate the innovation that thrives within our community.

Magento Open Source Marketing

To keep Magento top-of-mind for merchants and agencies, it’s crucial to clearly define and promote the platform’s strengths—scalability, community ecosystem, and flexibility. Led by Danny Verkade, this marketing initiative will develop essential resources such as battle cards, a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculator, and clear unique selling propositions. By highlighting Magento’s innovation and differentiating functionalities, we aim to provide a powerful, user-friendly narrative that underscores why Magento remains a leading choice for eCommerce solutions.

Magento Partner Listing

Building on Magento’s collaborative spirit, Vatsal Shah is leading the creation of an official Magento Partner Listing, designed to recognize agencies and solution providers that align with Magento’s standards of excellence. This centralized resource will give merchants and developers a clear, trusted way to discover expert partners, fostering stronger relationships and streamlined collaboration across the Magento ecosystem.

Magento Blog Revitalization

To broaden the platform’s visibility and keep the community inspired, Vatsal Shah will lead an effort to revitalize the Magento blog. Expect more frequent posts, engaging content, and contributions from diverse voices within the ecosystem. By sharing success stories, how-to guides, and thought leadership pieces, we aim to spark fresh conversations, highlight innovations, and further cement Magento’s reputation as a hub of eCommerce expertise.

Merchant-Focused Documentation

To help merchants unlock the full potential of Magento, Vijay Golani is developing dedicated documentation that addresses their specific needs and challenges. By providing clear, step-by-step guides—from store setup to advanced marketing features—this resource will empower merchants to make the most of the platform and drive sustained growth in their eCommerce ventures.

Open Collaboration is all about building partnerships and integrating community feedback into our strategic priorities. By collaborating with industry thought leaders, hosting brainstorming sessions, and supporting user groups, we can foster innovation that benefits the entire ecosystem.

Scaling Meet Magento Events

Meet Magento events are at the heart of our global community, bringing together merchants, developers, and enthusiasts to share insights and forge new connections. Under the direction of Ollie Hunt, we’re looking to expand the scope and scale of these events—drawing larger audiences, inviting inspiring keynote speakers, and crafting more engaging content. By elevating each Meet Magento experience, we aim to solidify these gatherings as can’t-miss opportunities for education, networking, and collaboration in the Magento ecosystem.

Meet Magento Playbook & Global Sponsorship

Building on the success of Meet Magento events worldwide, Ollie Hunt will lead the development of a comprehensive Meet Magento playbook and suite of easily accessible assets—including website templates, contract guidelines, and step-by-step event guides. This toolkit will enable local organizers to set up professional, high-impact gatherings more efficiently and consistently. In tandem with this effort, Ollie aims to attract global sponsors who can further elevate these events, ensuring that Meet Magento continues to grow as a premier forum for eCommerce collaboration, learning, and innovation.

Centralized Event Calendar

To make it easier for the Magento community to stay informed about meetups, conferences, and workshops, Ollie Hunt is working on a centralized event calendar. This solution will enable users across the ecosystem to add and manage their events in one place, while automatically displaying them on multiple sites. By simplifying how events are discovered and shared, we hope to encourage greater participation, foster networking opportunities, and ultimately bring the Magento community closer together.

Magento Association Townhall Meetings

In an effort to foster open dialogue and keep community members informed, Slava Kravchuk is reinvigorating Magento Association Townhall Meetings. These gatherings will provide a platform for sharing updates on Association initiatives, inviting feedback from members, and promoting transparency on key decisions. By creating a consistent forum for conversation, we aim to nurture a more collaborative and engaged Magento community.

Growth and Governance ensures our organization’s ongoing stability, sustainability, and transparent decision-making. From membership development to financial oversight, these activities keep the Magento Association strong and poised to serve the community for years to come.

Expanding the Membership Base

A thriving community is the backbone of the Magento Association, and Ollie Hunt has taken on the responsibility of expanding and diversifying our membership. By launching new outreach campaigns, forging community partnerships, and streamlining onboarding processes, Ollie aims to welcome more merchants, developers, and industry professionals into the fold. A larger, more varied membership not only broadens perspectives but also strengthens support for initiatives that help keep Magento at the forefront of the eCommerce ecosystem.

Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships

To ensure the Magento Association can fully support its initiatives and broaden its impact, Ollie Hunt is spearheading efforts around fundraising and strategic partnerships. By securing additional sponsorships and forming alliances with like-minded organizations, we aim to boost our resources and increase our reach. Ollie’s focus on sustainable funding streams will enable us to invest in community events, educational programs, and open-source contributions that keep Magento at the cutting edge of eCommerce innovation.

Board Elections Oversight

Continuing the work he began in 2024, Slava Kravchuk will once again oversee the Magento Association’s Board elections. By spearheading the nomination and voting process, Slava ensures transparency, fairness, and broad community participation. His efforts aim to streamline and refine election procedures so that each year’s rotation of Board members brings fresh perspectives and expertise to the Association.

Bylaws Updates

As the Magento Association continues to grow and adapt, Slava Kravchuk will also oversee any necessary bylaws updates. By reviewing and refining our governing documents, Slava ensures the Association remains responsive, transparent, and aligned with the evolving needs of our global community.

As the Board settles into these new roles and responsibilities, we’ll continue to update you regularly. Expect more details on each focus category, including milestones, timelines, and opportunities to contribute. We believe this approach will make our work more transparent, drive meaningful results for the Magento ecosystem, and empower community members to have a say in shaping the future.

• Attend community events: Keep an eye on our event calendar for meetups, webinars, and conferences.
• Join our discussions: Share your thoughts on social media or in our forums.
• Contribute your expertise: Whether it’s writing articles or mentoring new merchants, your insights can help strengthen the community.

Volunteer: Many focus areas involve task forces, working groups, or committees. If you have the passion and bandwidth, we’d love your help.

We couldn’t do any of this without you—our community of merchants, developers, partners, and enthusiasts. Your feedback, engagement, and support guide us as we evolve alongside the Magento platform’s growing global influence.

Stay tuned for more updates on these categories, leadership changes, and new initiatives. In the meantime, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or ideas. Together, we’ll keep the Magento ecosystem as vibrant and innovative as ever.

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.

Become a Member Today!