How have you been involved in the Magento ecosystem?

I've been active since 2008 in Magento Development.

In 2014 I published my first Book "Mastering Magento Theme Design", get the Magento Frontend Developer Certification, and Speaker at Meet Magento Italy

In 2014 I founded Magentiamo, the Italian Magento community

In 2015 I was Speaker at Meet Magento Italy

In 2019 I published my second Book in italian "Crea il tuo E-Commerce con Magento 2"

In 2021 and 2022 I published 2 Posts in Magento Association Blog

www.magentoassociation.org/author/author/andrea-sacca

In 2021 I made the first Magento Community event in Italy "Magentiamo Day" streaming for 300 people

In 2024 I organized the only Magento event In Italy "Magentiamo Day" With 170 Attendee

(Due to the impossibility to organize the Meet Magento).

During the last 10 years, I organized and trained more than 1500 people in Italy.

In what ways have you contributed to the Magento Association and/or other non-profit communities?

In 2021 and 2022, I published two posts on the Magento Association Blog:

www.magentoassociation.org/author/author/andrea-sacca

In 2024, I intended to organize Meet Magento Italy, but slow email responses and the license being held by an Italian company, which hasn’t organized the event since 2021, made it impossible. This led me to create an independent and successful Magento event in Milan.

What value would you add to the Board to help us advance our mission?

As a long-time contributor to the Magento ecosystem, my value to the Board would be my deep understanding of the community’s needs, especially in Europe, and my proven experience in organizing impactful events like Magentiamo Day. I bring over 15 years of experience in Magento development, content creation, and community building. My focus would be to help expand global reach, strengthen regional communities, and create more inclusive, educational opportunities for developers and merchants alike, aligning with the Magento Association's mission.

What are the top 3 initiatives you want to see the Board accomplish in the next 6 months?

1) Strengthening Regional Communities: I would like to see the Board expand its focus on regional Magento communities, supporting localized events and resources to engage developers and merchants on a more personal level. This includes reviving and supporting events like Meet Magento in regions where they are not currently active.

2) Educational and Certification Programs: Launch or enhance accessible educational initiatives and certifications for both developers and merchants. These could be tailored courses that align with the latest trends in e-commerce technology, including performance optimization and security.

3) Fostering Collaboration Between Agencies and Merchants: Create programs that encourage closer collaboration between agencies, developers, and merchants to drive innovation and growth. A focus on shared success stories, networking opportunities, and solution-based workshops would bring value to all Magento stakeholders.

What initiatives do you want to see the Magento Association focus on in the coming years?

Increased Transparency and Communication: Improve public sharing of the board’s work by regularly communicating updates, financial health, and activities to the community. This includes reviving recurring town halls and virtual events, making it easier for everyone, not just members, to stay informed and engaged.

Broader Ecosystem Support: Expand support beyond just Meet Magento events to include all community-driven initiatives within the Magento ecosystem. Encouraging collaboration across Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source ensures we foster one united community.

Simplified Community Contributions: Develop clear, accessible pathways for average community members to contribute. Making it easier for anyone to get involved will help grow and strengthen the Magento ecosystem for the future.

What are the biggest challenges that you think the Association has faced and how would you approach them?

The Magento Association's biggest challenge is the fragmentation within the Magento ecosystem and the lack of clarity around its purpose, its connection with Adobe, and initiatives like Mage-OS. My approach would be to simplify communication and transparency, creating a clear roadmap for everyone—developers, merchants, and partners—so the entire community understands what’s happening and where Magento is heading. This would foster unity and help eliminate confusion around the different parts of the ecosystem.

What else would you like to share to either the Election Committee or the membership of the Magento Association as they review your application? What makes you a great candidate to join the Board of Directors?

My love for Magento led me to create MagenTiamo (Mixing words Magento and Tiamo :), a project I have passionately dedicated myself to for 10 years, celebrated some days ago in Milano.

I am committed to the Magento community, not just as a profession but out of genuine passion. Additionally, speaking both Italian and Spanish, I can help expand the Magento Association’s presence in these regions.

Living in Spain but being Italian, I have a unique perspective to support and grow the community in both countries. My experience and dedication make me a strong candidate to help drive the Magento Association’s mission forward.