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. 15th-22nd. Members will be emailed a link to vote. Here are the nominees in no particular order:
Thea Flowers
Why do you want to be on the board?
To continue my work in building the culture of open source hardware in small and mid scale manufacturing. Small scale, distributed manufacturing has become increasingly common in our current world as supply chains and customer expectations shift, however, the process of manufacturing at small scale has not gotten easier. I’m working to build communities and projects around open source hardware that empowers this kind of manufacturing.
What qualifies you to be a board member?
During my current term on the board and time as OSHWA’s board president, I’ve helped OSHWA and the open hardware community continue to expand and grow. I’ve worked behind the scenes to assist with large undertakings such as the Open Hardware Summit and modernizing OSHWA’s web infrastructure. I have over a decade of experience in open source, community organization, and technical writing. My experience as the founder of an open source hardware company brings a personal perspective to the challenges faced by those who wish to build open source hardware in a sustainable way. I have lead and contributed to multiple high-profile open source projects. I have been named a Python Software Foundation fellow because of my work in open source.
What is your personal DEI+J (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice) statement?
I believe that open source – software and hardware – is for everyone. Knowledge and technology are capable of being incredibly empowering when used with careful intent. Each of us has a moral and ethical obligation to humanity to build a community and industry that is beneficial to us all – especially those that have historically been discriminated against. Our shared knowledge can not be kept away in universities and wealthy corporations. Our knowledge must be freely available to everyone, especially those who are marginalized.
Jinger Zeng
Why do you want to be on the board?
Continue to support OSHWA.
What qualifies you to be a board member?
Previous board member.
What is your personal DEI+J (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice) statement?
I am an active supporter of DEI-J initiatives, and strives to bring more APAC representations and cross-cultural collaborations to the community.
Jodson Graves
Why do you want to be on the board?
To network, gain experience in nonprofit leadership and support an open-source project I see as extremely valuable to the global public.
What qualifies you to be a board member?
I currently lead the board of the Network Theory Applied Research Institute, www.ntari.org.
What is your personal DEI+J (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice) statement?
I am African American, married to a European American with an adopted European American daughter living in Kentucky…I don’t seek “equity”, as in my experience this term implies scarcity. I believe in seeking mutualistic solutions wherein everyone receives lasting, novel opportunities to participate in whatever social or economic activity we engage in.
Michael Weinberg
Why do you want to be on the board?
To continue helping OSHW grow, and to support OSHWA’s community. I am excited that OSHWA has been able to position itself to start winning competitive grants, to use that support to do more for the current OSHWA community, and to use that support to continue to expand that community. OSHWA still runs on volunteers. However, growing OSHWA’s ability to pay more people to do more things (and to pay people who have been doing so many things for so long) will increase its capacity to advance its mission. There are still so many things that the community (reasonably) looks to OSHWA to be doing. I want OSHWA to be able to do more of those things!
What qualifies you to be a board member?
I am interested in open source hardware and the open source hardware community. I’ve been an OSHWA board member for a number of years, enthusiastically supporting (I hope) Thea’s Board Presidency. I helped to develop OSHWA’s Certification Program, and still serve as its lead.
What is your personal DEI+J (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice) statement?
While I try to be supportive of OSHWA’s DEI+J initiatives and welcoming to a diverse set of community members, there is no getting around the fact that I’m a straight white male living in the global north. It would be completely reasonable to not have me on the board in favor of someone who brought a more diverse set of experiences to the position.
Oluwatobi Oyinlola
Why do you want to be on the board?
I want to continue to serve on the board because I am deeply passionate about open source and its transformative impact. As someone whose research has been greatly enhanced by open hardware and open innovation, I understand the value these initiatives bring to the global community. I am excited to keep contributing in this capacity, leveraging my skills and insights to further our mission. My goal is to help expand access to open innovation and open hardware, particularly in underserved areas, by leading efforts to evangelize and spread the benefits of our mission.
What qualifies you to be a board member?
My qualifications to serve on the board are rooted in both my experience and my passion for open-source innovation. Over the past years as a board member of our association, I have actively contributed to increasing awareness and adoption of open technologies. I am particularly encouraged by the growth we’ve seen in the African region, and I am dedicated to expanding this momentum even further. My dedication, combined with my leadership experience and firsthand understanding of power of open innovation, qualifies me to continue contributing meaningfully to the board.
What is your personal DEI+J (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice) statement?
I am committed to breaking down barriers, promoting fairness, and supporting a more just and equitable society for all. I believe that everyone deserves a chance, regardless of their background, skin color, or where they live.
Kunvar Chokshi
Why do you want to be on the board?
I want to be on the board of OSHWA because I am passionate about advancing the open-source hardware movement and contributing to a community that values transparency, collaboration, and innovation. With my extensive background in embedded systems and experience working with leading technology companies, I believe I can offer valuable insights into the development and deployment of open-source hardware solutions. My goal is to help OSHWA expand its reach, foster collaborations between industry and developers, and create opportunities for learning and growth within the open-source hardware community. Serving on the board would allow me to be a part of this exciting journey, where I can contribute to shaping the future of technology in a more open and accessible way.
What qualifies you to be a board member?
My qualifications for being a board member of OSHWA stem from my extensive background in embedded systems and my hands-on experience working with major technology companies like Tesla, NVIDIA, and Apple. I’ve developed and integrated hardware and software solutions for a wide range of applications, and I deeply understand the challenges and opportunities in the open-source hardware space. In addition, I have experience leading teams, reviewing technical papers, and organizing sessions at industry conferences, which demonstrates my ability to collaborate effectively, manage projects, and communicate with diverse audiences. My expertise in embedded systems, coupled with my passion for open-source development, would allow me to bring practical insights to OSHWA’s initiatives. I am committed to promoting the values of transparency, accessibility, and innovation that are central to the open-source hardware movement.
What is your personal DEI+J (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice) statement?
My commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEI+J) is rooted in the belief that diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences are essential for innovation, growth, and sustainability. In both my professional and personal life, I strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to contribute their unique ideas and skills.
I actively seek opportunities to collaborate with individuals from different cultural, racial, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring that diverse voices are not only heard but amplified. I believe in equitable access to resources and opportunities, and I am committed to challenging systemic biases and barriers that hinder inclusion and justice. In leadership roles, I aim to promote policies and practices that foster diversity, enable growth, and ensure that all individuals, regardless of their identity, can thrive and succeed.