WordPress Welcomes New Executive Director Amid Mixed Reactions
WordPress announces Mary Hubbard as the new Executive Director of WordPress.org, following leadership changes and controversy. Social media reactions have been mixed, reflecting recent tensions within the WordPress community and ongoing legal disputes between Automattic and WP Engine.
In a recent announcement by Matt Mullenweg, CEO of Automattic and co-creator of WordPress, a new Executive Director for WordPress.org has been appointed following the resignation of the previous director. Although the news has generally been met with approval, the response on social media has been notably subdued, with many users focusing on a recent controversy surrounding WordPress and its leadership.
New Leadership at WordPress.org
Mullenweg revealed that Mary Hubbard will be taking on the role of Executive Director at WordPress.org. Previously, Hubbard served as Chief Product Officer at WordPress.com, a role she held from 2020, and she is set to begin her new position on October 21st. Most recently, she was the Head of Governance and Experience for TikTok Americas, a high-profile role from which she recently resigned.
Hubbard’s new position became available following a wave of resignations at Automattic, which saw 8.4% of employees, including the former Executive Director Josepha Haden Chomphosy, leave the company. This exodus came after Mullenweg offered employees a severance package of $30,000 or the equivalent of six months' salary, whichever was higher. This move followed heightened tensions between Automattic and WP Engine (WPE), a leading WordPress hosting platform. WPE recently filed a federal lawsuit against Mullenweg and Automattic, alleging attempted extortion, which added to the ongoing drama within the WordPress ecosystem.
Mixed Social Media Reactions
While Hubbard’s appointment has garnered some positive feedback, reactions across social media have been far from overwhelming. In the Dynamic WordPress Facebook group, a popular hub for WordPress enthusiasts and developers, the post about the new Executive Director received only 21 comments within seven hours. However, much of the conversation was centered not on Hubbard herself but on recent controversies, including Mullenweg's management of WordPress.org and other related issues.
Similarly, the official announcement on X (formerly Twitter) saw only a modest engagement, with 15 responses, 21 retweets, and 117 likes after seven hours. Many users took the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with recent developments at WordPress, while others extended a warm welcome to Hubbard.
The Broader Context
The muted response to the appointment highlights the lingering tension within the WordPress community, which has been grappling with significant leadership changes, legal battles, and evolving business dynamics. While WordPress.org is a free, open source platform, it remains closely linked to Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, which often leads to debates about the commercialization of the WordPress ecosystem. The lawsuit between WP Engine and Automattic has only added fuel to the fire, sparking discussions about the future direction of WordPress under Mullenweg’s leadership.
Hubbard’s experience in both product development and governance may prove invaluable in navigating the challenges ahead, but the community’s current focus on broader controversies could overshadow her entry into this new role.
As Hubbard officially steps into her position later this month, it will be interesting to see how her leadership influences WordPress.org and how the community reacts as the situation evolves.
