Kris Stern Shares Insights on Jenkins, Open Source, and Community Engagement

Kris Stern, a notable contributor to both the Continuous Delivery Foundation (CDF) and the Jenkins ecosystem, recently offered a compelling look into her experiences and philosophies regarding open source development and community building. Stern's journey into open source began with Astropy, though the specific details have faded over time. Her involvement with the CDF was sparked by an outreach email about the CI/CD Cybersecurity project, which led her to join weekly meetings and discover a strong connection with the people involved. When asked about her favorite aspect of working in tech, Stern expressed a deep passion for building web applications from the ground up. She enjoys the process of bringing an idea to fruition and constantly exploring new approaches, even when working with familiar tech stacks. This dedication to continuous learning and innovation is a hallmark of her work. Among her many accomplishments, Stern is most proud of the achievements of the Jenkins Google Summer of Code (GSoC) contributors. Having mentored numerous participants through the program, she has witnessed firsthand their successful project completions and has forged meaningful connections with these aspiring developers. This mentorship role highlights her commitment to nurturing new talent within the open-source community. Stern also reflected on the profound connections she has made through open source, particularly within the Jenkins and CDF communities. She values the reciprocal relationship, appreciating both her contributions to the community and the knowledge and growth she has gained from engaging with its members. Her top tip for anyone looking to get involved in the community is to prioritize inclusivity. She firmly believes that open source thrives on collaboration, and high-quality collaboration is only possible in an inclusive environment where every individual's input is respected and valued.