We're excited to welcome Piyush Poddar, the latest addition to the Drupal Association Board. Piyush, Head of Sales and Partnerships at Axelerant, co-founded the Jaipur Drupal User Group and serves on the Board of the Drupal Association of India. Known for his active involvement in writing and speaking at events, Piyush covers a range of topics, including the growth of Open Source and Contribution culture in India. His expertise extends to assisting global Drupal agencies in business expansion through strategic account management, transformed outsourcing practices, and success-driven partnership frameworks.
As a recent board member, Piyush shares insights on this thrilling journey:
What are you most excited about when it comes to joining the Drupal Association board?
I’m excited to join the Drupal Association Board after having known Drupal for over 16 years. As a long-time advocate and active non-code contributor, I look forward to influencing key decisions and giving back to the community.
This is a pivotal time for Drupal's growth, and my position on the Board allows me to contribute significantly to its expansion, relevance, and commitment to openness and inclusion.
And I’m very excited that with my position on the Board, I will be able to contribute significantly to some of these motions.
What do you hope to accomplish during your time on the board?
From a humble dorm room project to a platform globally embraced by businesses and organizations, Drupal has come a long way. As a board member, I aim to actively push to advance Drupal's business dimension, ensuring its continued relevance in the dynamic Martech space. The Drupal Association's recent efforts at the Web Summit were good, but we need to do more.
I also want to connect the global and Indian Drupal communities, bringing back the energy that faded during the pandemic. Developers are vital for Drupal, and we need to support and empower them for the community to keep growing. Coming up with plans for this is a top priority.
Personally, I look forward to learning a lot, improving my skills, and having valuable experiences in this role.
What specific skill or perspective do you contribute to the board?
My background in Sales, Customer Success Management, and Community Engagement offers a unique viewpoint.
Digital agencies, being prominent advocates and practitioners of Drupal, have significantly driven its growth and commercial adoption. With over a decade of experience partnering with digital agencies for their growth, I have consistently interacted with their leadership. I aim to bring their challenges and needs to the forefront.
How has Drupal impacted your life or career?
Drupal has hugely impacted both my professional journey and personal growth. Professionally, it has been instrumental in molding my understanding of complex business challenges related to content, marketing, and publishing. Working on Drupal projects introduced me to the agile methodology, revolutionizing how I approach work. The global adoption of Drupal has broadened my perspective, allowing me to gain a comprehensive understanding of the digital and creative industries on an international scale.
On a personal level, my experience with Drupal has profoundly transformed my views on openness and inclusion. The thriving Drupal community, rooted in open-source ethos and built on selfless contributions, has been a powerful influence. Engaging with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, and genders, all united by a common cause, has significantly broadened how I engage with people. This exposure has made me more open-minded, vulnerable, and accommodating, deeply enriching my personal values and perspectives.
In essence, Drupal has not just been a part of my career; it has been a journey of learning, growth, and personal evolution.
Tell us something that the Drupal community might not know about you.
I really enjoy traveling. I've explored over 65 cities in 14 countries and have taken approximately 15 flights around the earth.
Share a favorite quote or piece of advice that has inspired you.
I'd like to share a quote that has inspired me: “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.” - Steve Jobs
We can't wait to experience the incredible contributions Piyush will make during his time on the Drupal Association Board. Thank you, Piyush, for dedicating yourself to serving the Drupal community through your board work! Connect with Piyush on LinkedIn.
The Drupal Association Board of Directors comprises 12 members, with nine nominated for staggered 3-year terms, two elected by the Drupal Association members, and one reserved for the Drupal Project Founder, Dries Buyteart. The Board meets twice in person and four times virtually annually, overseeing policy establishment, executive director management, budget approval, financial reports, and participation in fundraising efforts.