Why WordPress Events Matter: Cathy Mitchell on Community and Giving Back

Cathy Mitchell has been part of the WordPress ecosystem since 2007. What began as a hobby project during maternity leave evolved into WPBarista in 2008, and more recently into leadership roles within the community — including being the lead organiser for WordCamp Canada 2026. In a wide-ranging conversation with Nathan Wrigley for the Jukebox Podcast, Cathy reflects on why WordPress events matter, how volunteering shapes people and projects, and what the community needs next.

From forums to conferences

Cathy’s first contact with WordPress was through support forums, where she learned from experienced contributors despite being a complete beginner. That early accessibility — experts answering “ridiculous questions” — shaped her view of the project as unusually open and welcoming. Later, getting invited to help with a WordCamp organiser team introduced her to another facet of the community: a culture that trusts volunteers and says “yes” rather than imposing long, hierarchical paths to contribution.

The WordPress ecosystem, Cathy says, offers an unusual mix: polished, professional events that are still planned and run by volunteers. People with very different backgrounds can step in, contribute, fail together, and be supported rather than judged. That culture is one of the reasons she feels proud to give back now that her children have grown and she has more time for community work.

Why people volunteer — and the payoff

There are different motivations for volunteering. Newcomers might be searching for connection, purpose, or the chance to learn new skills. Business owners often weigh sponsorship and involvement against return on investment. Cathy points out that supporting open source can be more than brand visibility: it helps with hiring, recruitment, and vetting talent because companies that engage with the community become visible and trusted places to work.

Beyond pragmatic ROI, there’s a deeper personal payoff. Volunteering creates camaraderie, shared goals, and a sense of belonging — things that matter for wellbeing. Cathy and Nathan discuss research and intuition showing two strong correlates of happiness: spending time with others, and giving without expecting anything in return. Volunteering ticks both boxes.

Volunteer culture: ‘default yes’

One striking cultural trait Cathy highlights is how quickly responsibility is handed to willing volunteers. In corporate settings, people often must “sweep the floors” before getting meaningful responsibilities; WordPress events are different. If someone shows up and wants to help, the default response is to enable them and support them. That openness allows people to discover new strengths and to do real, impactful work even without decades of credentials.

Loneliness, technology, and service

The conversation also explores the paradox that technology — the very thing many of us celebrate — may contribute to increased feelings of loneliness. Cathy cites the US Surgeon General’s declaration of a loneliness epidemic and statistics showing high loneliness among younger age groups. Both Cathy and Nathan worry that digital habits and early exposure to screens have changed how people form social bonds.

Against that trend, volunteering and in-person events offer an antidote. Serving others provides structure, shared purpose, and social contact. Cathy notes she’s seen this play out across age groups: she’s volunteered teaching kids and running classes for seniors, and believes service is an effective, secular remedy to isolation.

Sponsorship challenges and the shifting landscape

The "golden era" of rapid WordPress growth — when many companies supported events with little need to justify sponsorship — has shifted. Economic uncertainty, increased competition in the market, and greater demands for measurable ROI mean sponsorship dollars are harder to secure. Organizations are more cautious and want demonstrable impact for their investments.

Cathy frames this as a leveling rather than a catastrophe: industries go through periods of rapid expansion and rebalancing. Yet the change does require intention. Organisers must make events compelling for sponsors while also preserving the community values that make WordCamps special.

Investing in the next generation

A recurring theme is the urgency of bringing young people into open source. Initiatives such as Campus Connect and offering university credits for open source contributions are gaining traction in some regions. Cathy wants WordCamp Canada to be a platform for universities and colleges to get involved, providing students with real experience and academic credit. The goal is to make open source and community participation visible, accessible, and rewarding for younger contributors so the ecosystem has sustainable momentum.

Why Cathy is optimistic

Despite uncertainties — AI disruption, economic pressures, evolving sponsorship models — Cathy remains optimistic about the role of open source. She believes the community’s culture, the tangible human benefits of volunteering, and the technical openness of projects like WordPress position them well for the future. Her work on WordCamp Canada is an effort to sustain that light: to gather people, to pass knowledge on to new contributors, and to show that the community remains welcoming.

Final thoughts

WordPress events matter because they are where learning, connection, service, and opportunity intersect. For newcomers, they’re an entry point. For businesses, a way to recruit and build reputations. For volunteers, a source of meaning and social wellbeing. Cathy Mitchell’s experience — from forum learner to lead organiser — is a reminder that community structures which welcome and empower people can be transformative both personally and professionally. If you want to learn more about Cathy’s work, you can find her at WPBarista and at canada.wordcamp.org.