FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18, 2026 — Jono Alderson and Chris Reynolds have officially joined The WP Community Collective’s Board of Directors after their appointments were approved by the organization’s membership on February 16.
Alderson and Reynolds are the first new directors to join the board since The WPCC’s founding in 2022, marking a significant milestone for the independent, member-centered organization.
Building a New Model to Support Open Source
Over the past year, The WPCC has steadily and deliberately built a sustainable operational model, including member-participation processes and standards for contributor compensation, putting into practice its commitment to reimagining how the open source community is supported and sustained.
Alderson and Reynolds, who were each appointed to three-year terms, will join founding board members Sé Reed, Courtney Robertson, and Katie Adams Farrell to implement the next phase of the organization’s work.
Jono Alderson is a globally recognized expert in digital strategy, SEO, and analytics. As an active contributor, speaker, and advocate within the WordPress community since 2018, Jono has consistently worked to strengthen the project’s technical foundations and encouraged the adoption of practical, sustainable best practices. His perspective bridges day-to-day implementation and the long-term health of the WordPress ecosystem.
Chris Reynolds brings deep hands-on engineering experience and long-standing community engagement to The WP Community Collective board. A WordPress contributor since 2008, their professional work has centered around improving the developer experience across open source projects, including WordPress and Drupal. Reynolds’ passion for connecting the people who use the software with the people who build the software is even reflected in the title of their podcast, Community + Code.
As seasoned web technologists, both Alderson and Reynolds bring their broad experience in the WordPress and open source communities to support The WPCC’s ability to navigate nuanced ecosystem challenges.
WordPress runs on contribution, but too often the people and organisations doing the work are expected to absorb the cost. The WPCC is creating real structure around sustainability, accountability, and contributor wellbeing. I’m proud to be joining the board and helping to push WordPress towards a healthier, more equitable future.
Jono Alderson
Director, The WP Community Collective Board of Directors
The board has elected Reynolds to serve as Interim President of the executive board that currently consists of Robertson (Vice-President), Adams Farrell (Treasurer), and Reed (CEO & Secretary). Together with Alderson, the board will focus on supporting the The WPCC’s next phase of growth and honoring its commitment to:
- Develop contributor-centered funding models
- Practice transparent governance and accountability
- Establish ecosystem health metrics that prioritize human sustainability
- Strengthen cross-organizational collaboration in open source
Existing contributor models for Free Open Source Software have always been a problem. And this is not hypothetical. FOSS is being increasingly adopted by large companies that want to benefit from the tens of thousands of developers and users who work with it everyday. There isn’t a perfect solution, but I joined The WPCC to help shape a better future that honors the dedication and work of our contributors, no matter what form that contribution comes in.
Chris Reynolds
Interim President, The WP Community Collective Board of Directors
Developing the Future of Open Source Contribution
Open source software powers the modern web, yet the systems that sustain its contributors remain underdeveloped and uneven.
The WPCC is reimagining how open source contribution is valued and supported by prioritizing long-term contributor health and sustainability. This work includes implementing new funding models, developing contributor health frameworks, and establishing transparency and accountability standards across the ecosystem.
The autonomy that free and open source software provides is fundamental to an equitable tech future. If we want that future, we have to invest in the people who build and support FOSS. We also have to examine and evolve the structures that shape it. Jono and Chris understand both the complexity and the courage this work requires, and I’m excited to work toward that future with them.
Sé Reed
CEO & Secretary, The WP Community Collective Board of Directors
About The WP Community Collective
The WP Community Collective is a member-based organization supporting the people who make open source technology possible. The WPCC builds and runs programs to support open source contributors and strengthen the ecosystems around them, including fellowships, rapid response funds, and collaborative projects that prioritize contributor wellbeing.