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On this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Eric Karkovack is joined by Mary Hubbard, the Executive Director of WordPress. Mary gives us the scoop about her first year in the role, the project’s momentum, community engagement, and upcoming developments for WordPress 7.0. They also explore the challenges and opportunities in open-source leadership, AI integration, and community revitalization. It’s a can’t-miss episode for anyone interested in the future of WordPress!

Takeaways:

• Much of Mary’s first year as Executive Director was spent immersed in the WordPress community.
• WordPress 7.0 will be a milestone release, with an AI connector, revamped media handling, and responsive design controls.
• Nobody knows what the future holds for AI, but WordPress will be ready to adapt.
• Non-coding WordPress contributions should be acknowledged.
• Meetups are a vital part of building a community.
• The WordPress educational programs aim to attract the next generation of contributors.

Important Links:

• Read Mary’s Post: Big Picture Goals for 2026
• WordPress Community Meetups
• Connect with Mary: WordPress.org | LinkedIn
• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe