This episode features an interview with Nithya Ruff, Head of Open Source Program Office at Amazon. At Amazon, she drives open source culture and coordination and engagement with external communities. Prior to Amazon, Nithya spearheaded and grew Open Source Program Offices (OSPOs) for Comcast and Western Digital. She has also served as the Director-At-Large on the Linux Foundation Board since 2016, where she works to advance the mission of building sustainable ecosystems that are built on open collaboration.

In this episode, Sam and Nithya discuss OSPOs, how to measure success, and the evolution of the data ecosystem.

-------------------

“I think if we look at what matters to customers, which is innovation, trust, and being a force for change with open source, then we can really deliver on the metrics that the company cares about.” – Nithya Ruff

-------------------

Episode Timestamps:

(04:02): What open source data means to Nithya

(06:29): What interested Nithya about open source software

(12:34): What Nithya learned at Western Digital and Comcast that she uses now at Amazon

(18:23): What Nithya teaches people in OSPO curriculum

(22:06): How the open source data ecosystem has evolved in the last decade

(27:44): One question Nithya wishes to be asked

(30:37): Nithya’s advice for folks who want to create an OSPO

-------------------

Links:

LinkedIn - Connect with Nithya

Twitter - Follow Nithya

Open Source Law, Policy and Practice

LinkedIn - Connect with Amazon

Twitter - Follow Amazon

Visit Amazon