Josepha Haden Chomphosy, the Executive Director of the WordPress Project, has officially stepped down from her position, marking the end of a nine-year journey that saw her grow as a leader and advocate for the open-source community. The announcement follows a period of tension within the WordPress ecosystem, highlighted by recent legal and organizational challenges.
Reflecting on Her Tenure and the Future
In her farewell blog post, Chomphosy maintained an optimistic outlook, emphasizing her unwavering faith in the open-source movement as a driver for positive economic and social change. She highlighted the importance of maintaining strong opinions while remaining adaptable—an approach she credits for her growth as a leader.
“This week marks my last as the Executive Director of the WordPress project. My time with WordPress has transformed me, both as a leader and an advocate,” she wrote. “There’s still more to do in our shared quest to secure a self-sustaining future of the open source project that we all love, and my belief in our global community of contributors remains unchanged.”
Chomphosy continued to express her belief in the power of collective action: “I still believe that open source is an idea that can transform generations. I believe in the power of a good-hearted group of people… And I believe the world will always need the more equitable opportunities that well-maintained open source can provide: access to knowledge and learning, easy-to-join peer and business networks, the amplification of unheard voices, and a chance to tap into economic opportunity for those who weren’t born into it.”
Background of Tensions
Chomphosy’s resignation comes during a tumultuous time for WordPress, underscored by conflict involving WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg and managed hosting provider WP Engine. This dispute has led to a federal lawsuit filed by WP Engine, accusing Mullenweg and Automattic (the parent company of WordPress.com) of extortion. The situation has raised concerns and stirred conversations within the WordPress community.
An Early Leak and Community Reactions
Word of Chomphosy’s departure leaked before her official announcement. On October 2, Jeff Chandler, founder of WP Tavern (now owned by Mullenweg), revealed on social media that he had spoken with her and confirmed her resignation.
In his tweet, Chandler stated: “I spoke with Josepha tonight. I can confirm that she’s no longer at Automattic. She’s working on a statement for the community. She’s in good spirits despite the turmoil.”
Josepha acknowledged the unexpected disclosure the following day, tweeting: “Ok, this is not how I expected that news to come to y’all. I apologize that this is the first many of you heard of it. Please don’t speculate about anything.”
The Broader Implications
Chomphosy’s departure is significant beyond personal career changes; it is reflective of wider challenges within the organization. Notably, WordPress recently experienced a wave of exits, with 8.4% of Automattic’s workforce leaving after the company offered a generous severance package for those wishing to move on.
The current climate at WordPress serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of tech and open-source communities. While leaders and contributors come and go, the dedication to the platform’s ideals—openness, collaboration, and access—remains a vital part of its DNA.
For Chomphosy, her next steps might be unknown, but her legacy of leadership and advocacy within WordPress leaves a lasting imprint on the community.
To read her full statement, visit Josepha Haden Chomphosy’s blog.
Executive Director of WordPress Resigns: Reflecting on Leadership and Community Amidst Turmoil
