Become an OSHWA member today to vote on nominees!
This year, we have 4 open seats on the OSHWA board. Board members will hold a 2-year position. Once board members have been chosen by the OSHWA member community, the board will appoint a President, VP, and Secretary. As every nominee answered “Yes” to having 5-10 hours a month to give to the board, we did not include that question in each nominee’s data. Board responsibilities include fundraising, advising on goals and direction, and carrying out compliance of the organization’s purposes and bylaws. Please find details of our election process here.
The vote will be open on Oct. 24th-31st. Members will be emailed a link to vote. Here are the nominees in no particular order:
Aleksa Bjelogrlic
Why do you want to be on the board?
As I first got into hardware as a kid, I saw how RepRap took what was then a niche and expensive piece of industrial equipment, made an open and accessible version as a proof of concept, and grew an international community around it to improve and iterate on it. This open hardware movement was so strong that we now look at 3D printers and see closed source models as an anomaly, and ask ourselves “why isn’t this open source?” I want to be on the board of OSHWA to help grow more communities like this (and to strengthen the ones we have!), so that one day we can look at anything that we use day-to-day and ask the same question!
What qualifies you to be a board member?
I have direct experience in growing such a community around open source test equipment, having started the ThunderScope project. My goal with it is to make open source oscilloscopes the best option for everyone who plays with hardware, and have spent over 6 years working on it with folks from all around the world! I still remember how it felt to start that project and how impossible it felt to ever finish it. And it was impossible... to do alone! I felt so incredibly lucky when other people found me and the project and helped make it happen. Now I want to make sure we all have the chance to find our communities, like I did, to make more and more open source hardware happen – and I think OSHWA is the best way to do that!
What is your personal DEI+J (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice) statement?
I believe technology is political and open source even more so. To me, open source as an ideal represents a more equitable alternative to the tech industry, a chance to do what we love without burning out for the sake of shareholder value. This is not an inherent property of open source and just like any ideal, is one we must fight for. We cannot make open source more diverse by adopting a so-called “big tent” approach. It is not just to welcome with open arms both marginalized people and those that are actively marginalizing them. Nor can we make our alternative to the tech industry and keep the same pressures that drive people out of it. Open source has to be sustainable in order to be inclusive and maintainers should be financially and socially supported to keep doing the work that benefits us all. I don’t feel like I belong in the tech industry anymore, but I’ve never felt more welcome than by the OSHW community. I will do everything I can so that more people can say the same.
Kitt Vollmer
Why do you want to be on the board?
I am in my last year of my PhD and worked on several open source hardware projects throughout. I'd like to give back to this community by helping to continue its growth and the awareness of open source hardware in general and specifically help in knowledge sharing initiatives for ever growing cross disciplinary projects. I'd like to have a more formal means to help promote OSHW within academic contexts where more knowledge on the ways and means of this type of directive can better inform many students, faculty, and staff - and I hope to help establish stronger ties to OSHW in general from institutions and individuals that may not already know how to open source their work and promote it to and as part of a larger contribution to the community.
What qualifies you to be a board member?
I have helped organize and start a number of initiatives including a brand new Graduate Student association (Digital Media), was elected president of union DCL 555 for three years (>200k operating budget, re-elected twice), and have held several VP finance positions for graduate student associations at multiple institutions. I was also elected ombudsperson for Graduate Student Alliance (a collection of representatives from most universities and colleges across Canada and the USA, and several additional global schools). I have also organized and run conferences and knowledge sharing events/workshops over the past 10 years. Currently I am also president of and maintain an ongoing hardware and software consulting company where partnerships with academic institutions have led to open-source hardware developed for public access.
What is your personal DEI+J (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice) statement?
it's not enough to "know of" DEI+J -- we need to actively research and implement validated forms of engagement that provide direct evidence of their success. There should always be space at the table. I am also involved with policy and legal reform at the intersection of LGBT+ children X Advanced Technologies and contribute open source (.. software!) for data analysis of emerging global trends, often for low-income or unstable economies. Other important work includes the ongoing tracking of trends in reported sexual and gender-based violence X SOGIESC and this work has helped advise legal reform. So, I suppose one could say my personal statement on DEI+J is one of action.
Kat Scott
Why do you want to be on the board?
I've been As a long-time OSHWA Board member, I wish to continue serving the Open Source Hardware community, as I have made it my life's work to further the production and use of open source hardware and software worldwide. I am presently the developer advocate for the Open Source Robotics Alliance, a board member for Women in Robotics, and an industry advisor to the University of Michigan’s undergraduate robotics program. These roles are uniquely aligned with OSHWA’s mission, allowing me to bring shared experiences and diverse perspectives to the board.
What qualifies you to be a board member?
My long-standing involvement with OSHWA, including serving as a board member intermittently since 2010, has provided me with significant institutional knowledge that I bring to the board's operations and strategic planning. My professional experience is deeply aligned with OSHWA's mission. In my role as the developer advocate for the Open Source Robotics Alliance, I work daily with other open-source organizations, such as the OpenCV Foundation and the Dronecode Foundation, acting as an intermediary with the broader community. This position allows me to align goals across organizations and better serve both the robotics and hardware communities. I often bring this practical, hands-on experience with open-source community management to my contributions on the OSHWA board. My qualifications are further supported by over twenty years of experience as a professional engineer. I hold a master's degree in computer science and robotics from Columbia University, as well as dual bachelor's degrees in computer and electrical engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Additionally, I serve as a board member for Women in Robotics and as an industry advisor to the University of Michigan’s undergraduate robotics program. These roles have given me a deep understanding of how to effectively operate and sustain open-source organizations, and I am eager to continue applying this expertise to serve the open-source hardware community as a member of the OSHWA board.
What is your personal DEI+J (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice) statement?
I am deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, and I believe OSHWA plays a crucial role in amplifying the voices of and creating opportunities for marginalized and oppressed communities. I have seen firsthand how open source can be a powerful tool to address inequity, highlight the contributions of underrepresented groups, and build bridges into technology for underserved communities. In our previous efforts at OSHWA—from organizing the annual summit to distributing grant funds—we have consistently worked to cultivate the talent of and showcase the important contributions from marginalized groups and individuals. I hope to not only continue these vital efforts but also to expand our practices and deepen our impact for years to come.
Nadya Peek
Why do you want to be on the board?
I would like to serve on the board of the Open Hardware Association as I believe it to be an organization uniquely focused on developing, discussing, and disseminating open standards for technology design and production. I strongly believe in agency through technology, which I think is best served through the design and sharing of reusable, modular, extensible, and legible systems. I think Open Source Hardware makes that kind of work both better and easier. I am interested in supporting many types of hardware, from high to low tech and across application areas, from science hardware to creativity support tools. I'm especially interested in distributed production of complex electromechanical devices such as digital fabrication machines or bioreactors. On the board I'd provide digital fabrication expertise and work on topics like quality control and documentation.
What qualifies you to be a board member?
I am running for re-election to the OSHWA board, where I have served several terms. I have been an active open source hardware developer for almost two decades! I develop open-source hardware machines, controllers, and software in my group Machine Agency at the University of Washington. I'm an engineering prof and teach digital fabrication and physical computing. My group shares their research widely---besides academic publications and conferences we also can generally be found at things like Hackaday Supercon, Crowdsupply Teardown, RRFs, and CCC. I got my PhD at MIT in the Center for Bits and Atoms, where I helped set up many fab labs and makerspaces. I have helped organize the OSH summit many times and love the community we bring together there. I think I am qualified to be on the board because of my technical expertise and my experience with community organizing, fundraising, and promoting OSHW.
What is your personal DEI+J (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice) statement?
I believe that we all benefit if technology is designed by a broad range of people for a broad range of people. Therefore, major goals of mine are broadening participation in the production of technology and making technology itself more accessible. I think open source hardware is a great way to support these goals, but to truly bring about change we need to support getting more voices at the table. To do so, I leverage my position of power as an engineering professor at a major university to marshal resources. I dedicate time to mentoring and supporting people who may not historically have seen themselves as engineers. I also work on shifting the narrative around what constitutes a contribution in open source---elevating the labor of community organizing, documentation and testing, and creating new onboarding paths. I for example value and support past efforts of OSHWA such as the Ada Lovelace fellowship, and would work to further them were I to be elected to the board.
Andrew Quitmeyer
Why do you want to be on the board?
I have already been on the board, and it's been a nice time, and I think I can serve another term :)
What qualifies you to be a board member?
I have been a board member already, and have worked with lots of groups making open source tools! I run a laboratory that makes open science tools, and I have worked with groups like the Gathering for Open Science Hardware and Wildlabs to help even more!
What is your personal DEI+J (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice) statement?
I have carved my life out in a way that I spend the large majority of my time volunteering to help provide help and resources to other people and groups who did not necessarily have the advantages I had in our current society (white, straight-seeming, cis dude).
Timon Skerutsch
Why do you want to be on the board?
I want to help with figuring out new funding opportunities for OSHWA in Europe and promoting the association in related communities and organizations. I see a lot of Open Hardware companies and communities in Europe who are still very unaware of OSHWA and the work it is doing and I would like to change that. I would also like to facilitate a more active exchange of knowledge and resources between Open Source Hardware companies, it can be difficult to find a foothold in doing Open Hardware commercially without the traditional funding sources. Learning from others beyond their schematics and source files can be very helpful.
What qualifies you to be a board member?
I have been active in the Open Hardware community for over a decade and run an Open Source Electronics company. I firmly believe in the core values of OSHWA, they have been a guiding principle in my personal and professional life. I also work in proprietary hardware development as a freelancer and have a good insight and connections into the electronics hardware industry as a whole.
What is your personal DEI+J (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice) statement?
Electronics and the hardware space in general is still having massive diversity problems, OSHWA has been a beacon of light in this space and I will do everything I can to continue and strengthen that mission of promoting, supporting and actively reaching out to people who are under-represented in the hardware space.
Sanli Faez
Why do you want to be on the board?
To support the OSHWA as front runner in democratising technology with the essential element of creating access to tools and means for working in the modern world. I can offer access to my network, and my organising base, which is the university.
What qualifies you to be a board member?
As associate professor of experimental physics I have started courses on open source for research, and was initiator of the prototyping space in my university. I have pushed for national collaboration on creating infrastructure for open source hardware designed for researchers, and for openning up design blueprints and documentation of international open source initiatives such as open source Magnetic Resonance Imaging and open source FAIR battery.
What is your personal DEI+J (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice) statement?
Inclusion and justice is supported by providing means of production and creativity to all, including access to background knowledge, training, and mentoring
Akshai Murukakumar
Why do you want to be on the board?
I was a OSHWA fellow in 2018, it opened up several doors for me including the life I live now in Germany. I have been looking ways to contribute back to OSHWA and this seems to be the right opportunity for that perfect circle moment.
What qualifies you to be a board member?
I have been working in the Electronics industry for over 10 years in different roles from being a PCB designer to a System Software Architect. I currently work at Analog Devices; in the company we are going through a transformative process of embracing Open-Source Software and Hardware. As an OSHWA board member, I should be able to bring the industry perspective to the board.
What is your personal DEI+J (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice) statement?
Diversity makes us stronger! I believe that we are far from where we want to be and the world is getting crazier every moment now. I don't think I can change the world but at least in my workplace, friends circle and family I have always tried to create a space where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered.
Addie Cobb
Why do you want to be on the board?
I want to serve on the OSHWA board because I am passionate about advancing the open source hardware movement and believe in its power to drive innovation, collaboration, and accessibility. With my background in communications, technology, and open source ecosystems, I am committed to helping OSHWA uphold its mission of promoting open standards, supporting creators, and expanding community engagement. Serving on the board would allow me to contribute my expertise to strengthen OSHWA's impact and foster a more inclusive and sustainable open hardware future.
What qualifies you to be a board member?
My qualifications for the OSHWA board are rooted in my dedication to the open source movement. I work in an organization devoted to open source principles across hardware, software, and biology, and am actively advocating for the progressive opening of healthware —a sector that remains largely proprietary. I am a globally recognized speaker and Varro is a member of OSHWA. I have served on multiple boards, including InnerSource Commons Foundation and led transformative global initiatives for the past decade. These experiences have given me a broad perspective, a strong network, and a proven commitment to collaborative innovation, positioning me to effectively advance OSHWA’s mission as a board member.
What is your personal DEI+J (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice) statement?
The dignity of every person matters, and working toward a just and inclusive community founded on equal opportunity enriches us all.
Nicolo Merendino
Why do you want to be on the board?
I would like to the growth and development of the OSHWA
What qualifies you to be a board member?
I have +10 years experience in carrying out research, design and teaching activities based on OSH using exclusively FLOSS. On top of that, I serve in a position that allows me to dedicate time and resourced to invest in this activity
What is your personal DEI+J (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice) statement?
I am committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice by actively supporting open and accessible technology. I believe technology should empower people, not exclude them, and that its design and use must reflect the needs, voices, and rights of all—especially those historically marginalized. I advocate for tools, platforms, and knowledge that are freely available, transparent, and inclusive, so that individuals and communities can fully participate, create, and innovate without barriers. I strive to learn from others with humility, challenge systems that restrict access or perpetuate bias, and support equitable opportunities in digital spaces. By promoting open-source collaboration, ethical design, and fair access to technological resources, I aim to help build communities where everyone is valued, heard, and equipped to thrive.
Wendy Ju
Why do you want to be on the board?
I passionately believe in the OSHWA mission. In my time as a board member from 2021-2025, I helped OSHWA gain funding from NSF to support open source medical hardware, and supported the Open Hardware Trailblazers Fellowship. Most recently, I have developed initiatives to help OSHWA better support open-source hardware for sustainability.
What qualifies you to be a board member?
I am an Associate Professor of Information Science at the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute at Cornell Tech in New York City. I teach a graduate course in Developing and Designing Interactive Devices. My research focuses on designing interaction with automated systems; I frequently use interactive technologies to prototype the future. I have developed and shared curriculum to teach Arduino and Raspberry Pi in the context of making interactive musical instruments, far-out Mp3 players, and robots of many flavors.
What is your personal DEI+J (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice) statement?
Increased access to the tools of production can be transformational to people from all over the world. Open-source hardware increases that access, and encourages transparency and exchange. The fields of engineering, computer science, and STEM also benefit from the active involvement of users and developers from different racial, geographical, and socio-economic backgrounds.
