Introducing the New Magento Association Board Members: Meet Laura Folco!

Laura’s decision to join the Magento Association Board came from a place of advocacy. As someone who has worked independently for over a decade, she’s seen first-hand how smaller businesses can be overlooked, especially as Magento 2 skewed more toward enterprise.

“I felt smaller companies needed representation on the board,” she explains. “Magento has always been a great option for small merchants, and I want to ensure those stakeholders aren’t forgotten.”

For her, the Magento Association plays a critical role in bridging the gaps left by corporate shifts and changes in ownership. “The mission is to ensure Magento is around for years to come,” Laura says. “The company has changed hands quite a few times, but the platform thrives because of the ecosystem. That’s what the MA supports.”

With Magento’s acquisition by Adobe, many of the functions previously managed by the company - community engagement, marketing, even managing the open source code - have now become the responsibility of the community itself. That’s where the MA steps in.

“A lot of what we’re doing now is about taking back control of those things—things Magento the company used to handle,” Laura says. “Now, we need to do it ourselves.”

She points to initiatives like the Community Council, where members can directly influence what code gets merged into the platform, and the Magento Champions program, which recognises those making a real impact. Then there are the Meet Magento events, where the community comes together and the MA works with Adobe to maintain a strong presence.

For Laura, joining the MA isn’t just about a badge. It’s about impact.

“It gives you a direct say in Magento’s future,” she says. “Whether it’s voting for board members or joining committees that shape the platform, it’s your chance to get involved.”

And that involvement can lead to real professional growth. A new partner and member listing is on the way, offering agencies and freelancers alike better visibility, and new client opportunities.

So, how can someone new to the Magento community start getting involved?

“First and foremost, join the MA,” Laura says. “Then join a committee! We’re always looking for enthusiastic volunteers.”

There’s also a focus on making technical contributions easier. “Open PRs - we’re hoping to take the pain out of that process,” she adds, referencing the common bottlenecks that can hold developers back from contributing code.

Laura’s goals for her first year on the board are clear: more transparency, more code merged, and more evangelism for the Association.

And she’s not alone. Board member Ollie Hunt is already spearheading efforts to represent Magento at broader eCommerce events, expanding visibility and relevance beyond the platform’s traditional circles.

“I see the MA growing over the next few years,” Laura says. “We want to be a resource for everyone, from solo freelancers to large merchants.”

Laura’s final message to anyone on the fence about joining the Magento Association?

“Do it. This is a great community, and it will only get stronger with more voices.”

And for those already in?

“Get involved. We’ve got committees working to keep Magento strong now and into the future - and we always need volunteers.