Late Breaking WordCamp US Speakers

As we mentioned earlier this year, we left a couple of speaking slots open to cover late breaking news and “Hot Topics”. We are now happy to announce those slots and their presenters. We look forward to them joining us at WordCamp US, November 1-3, 2019 in St. Louis.

“Hot topics” in WordPress inevitably change as the year progresses (and official speaker submissions have passed). Leaving a few spots open, enables the programming team to bring in speakers in a more “last minute” fashion to address timely topics.

How We Are Evolving Speaker Selection

Defining Fast: The Hardest Problem in Performance Engineering

Speaker: Zack Tollman

We all want fast sites, but what is fast? What is performant? We may know it when we see; yet quantifying and communicating about web performance effectively is still a challenge. In this talk, we will discuss our ever-evolving set of standards for what comprises a fast site, how to measure it, and what to do once we have the resulting data.

Zack Tollman

Bio: Zack Tollman works to make the web a bit faster everyday as an Application Performance Architect at Condé Nast. He enjoys finding the best ways to approximate user experience with metrics, implementing the latest technologies and improving business outcomes with performance wins. When he’s not at the computer, he’s spending time playing hockey and guitar.


Design Systems: Crafting For Crafters

Speaker: Jon Quach

Design systems are so hot right now. And for good reason! They improve collaboration and creation amongst your crafters (designers, developers, product, and marketing alike). Despite popular belief, it’s more than just colors, fonts, buttons, and components – much more. In this session, we’ll learn how to think about design systems to explore how you can empower your teams to do what they do, but better (and faster)!

Bio: Hi! I’m Q. I specialize in design systems, front-end development, and UI. I’m a Principal Designer at Automattic. I love designing things for coders, and coding things for designers.


Unlocking six-figure eCommerce growth with automations

Speaker: Beka Rice

To automate or not to automate? Is automation impersonal, ineffective, or overdone? Or is it the key to unlocking retention and efficiency? This discussion digs into how automation applies to online stores, and how it can influence sales, processes, and customer relationships — especially when it comes to retention. We’ll also review how to identify areas for automation as a merchant or developer and where it’s most impactful.

Becka Rice

Bio: Beka is the head of product at Jilt, where they focus on helping merchants increase revenue through automated lifecycle emails. Jilt is built by SkyVerge, the top WooCommerce.com extension provider, and maker behind some of the most popular extensions, such as WooCommerce Memberships. Beka loves leveling the playing field for eCommerce growth, making enterprise-level tools accessible to any online store.


WordPress: An Operating System for the Open Web

Speaker: Jonathan Wold

Jonathan Wold will talk about the history of WordPress, its current state, and its future through the lens of serving as an Operating System for creating on the Open Web.

Jonathan Wold

Bio: Jonathan Wold has been living and breathing WordPress for 14 years. He’s been building websites himself since he was 12 and began doing so professionally at 17. He started working with WordPress back in 2005 and has been full-time in WordPress ever since. After a wide range of experiences in a wide range of companies over the past decade he’s back to where it all started – a company of one.

He has a strong personal mission, to help make WordPress the best it can be as an operating system for the Open Web.


WordPress Automated Updates: A Panel Discussion

Join an animated discussion on the hot topic of WordPress security and automated updates among longtime WordPress contributors.

Panelists: Mika Epstein, Andrew Nacin, Jake Spurlock

Moderator: Josepha Haden

Mika Epstein

Bio: Mika Ariela Epstein is better known as Ipstenu, the Half-Elf Rogue. Working for DreamHost, specializing in WordPress, Mika helps make WordPress and hosting better for everyone. When she isn’t reviewing plugins she’s speaking at WordCamps worldwide about code and open source technology. A self-taught guru on Multisite and .htaccess, she has a passion for writing and technology and blogs about them whenever possible.

Andrew Nacin

Bio: Andrew Nacin is a Lead Developer of WordPress. He’s led major releases, mentored contributors, and spearheaded new development. He has strong feelings about the core philosophies of WordPress, among them “decisions, not options” — software should be opinionated in lieu of burdening the user with too many options.

Jake Spurlock

Bio: Jake splits his time between being a Technical Account Engineer at Automattic on the WordPress.com VIP team, and being a release lead on the WordPress Core Security team. He has spent more than a decade building editorial tools for publishers. He has a deep love of podcasting and wants to hear about your favorite show. Formerly of Condé Nast, WIRED magazine, Make: magazine, and Maker Faire.

Josepha Hayden

Bio: Josepha is currently the Executive Director of the WordPress project, helping to coordinate and guide volunteer efforts across the ecosystem. Since 2015 Josepha has worked behind the scenes as the lead of the open source division at Automattic. Her work includes financial planning, sponsorship relations, volunteer training programs, and several diversity initiatives on a global scale. She is well-versed in conflict mediation tactics and has a knack for explaining complex topics clearly and respectfully. You can read her occasional writing on josepha.blog and find out where she’s speaking next by following @josephahaden on Twitter.

You don’t want to miss out on WordCamp US 2019! There will be speakers, workshops, childcare, an incredible sponsor hall, the annual WordFest party, and more. Get your tickets to WordCamp US today!