Notice: While JavaScript is not essential for this website, your interaction with the content will be limited. Please turn JavaScript on for the full experience.

Nominee for 2025 Python Software Foundation Board Election

Abigail Dogbe

  • Previous Board Service: New Board Member
  • Employer: University of Cincinnati
  • Other Affiliations: Python Africa, PyLadies Global, Black Python Devs, Django Software Foundation, PyLadiesCon
  • Nominee Statement:

      Who am I?

      I am Abigail Mesrenyame Dogbe, an open-source community builder, programs manager, researcher, and STEM education advocate from Ghana who loves seeing people empowered by technology. My initial experience with Python was at my first Django Girls Accra experience as a mentee. I subsequently joined the Python Ghana community and eventually became the lead for the PyLadies Ghana community. Although I wrote code around that time, I developed a deep passion for bringing people together to learn, share resources and network. Throughout the years, together with other volunteers, I helped organize several Python events for the Ghanaian and African Python Communities, such as Python Ghana, PyData Ghana, PyCon Africa, etc.

      Being curious and excited to connect more Pythonistas from our global communities with the PyLadies Ghana community, I started contributing to PyLadies Global through the communications team and inviting guest speakers and facilitators to our events. Gradually, I encouraged and supported the start of new PyLadies chapters across Africa and other parts of the world. I have been contributing to PyCon US over the years as an online and in-person volunteer and at the PSF booth, the recently held PyCon 2025, I led the lightning talks session and I organized a sprint for the Python Software Foundation’s Community and Conference Organizers Toolkit.

      Through these commitments, I have found purpose in contributing to Open Source through community building. I am poised to do more to serve others while spreading Python, particularly within Africa and the global community.

      Accomplishments

      • Compiled and published the first draft of The PSF Community and Conference Organizers Toolkit
      • Worked with a team to revive the PSF’s Education and Outreach Workgroup
      • Spoken at global Python conferences such as EuroPython, DjangoCon US and advocated for the spread and use of Python in Africa All of my talks till date
      • Mentored at several Django Girls events in Ghana and co-organized Django Girls PyCon Africa.
      • Hosted, organized and collaborated on several events for PyLadies Ghana, increasing the participation of women in the Python Community.
      • Collaborated with and supported other PyLadies to start their own communities in different parts of the world
      • Ensured that people from French-speaking African countries are included in continent-wide Python events.
      • Spoke on the PSF Diversity and Inclusion workgroup panel at PyCon US 2024 about Python community building in Africa and its challenges.
      • Conducted research in Open Source Governance focused on “Empowering Inclusive Open Source Governance: Designing an Online Tool for Board Selection Through Participatory Methods”
      • Started a book drive called Books for Techies, where I donate books to people getting started with contributing to open source in Africa

      Awards and Recognitions

      Goals

      • Improve the Community and Conference Organizers Toolkit, including documenting stories from current organizers to inspire prospective organizers.
      • Continue supporting the Education and Outreach workgroup at the PSF
      • Bringing the francophone Python communities located within Africa closer to the PSF
      • Collaborating with other members of the board to achieve the mission and vision of the Python Software Foundation.
      • Creating a pipeline and encouraging others to take up leadership roles and opportunities within our community, with sustainability at the forefront.

      Now more than ever, our community needs representation from diverse regions, to advocate for and explore ways to keep moving forward and I am excited to bring my expertise and also collaborate with other members of the board to accomplish these goals. Let’s build together!

  • Nomination Statements:
    • Nomination by: Carol Willing

      I endorse Abigail Dogbe for the PSF Board. I value her leadership and dedication to expanding Python's use globally.

    • Nomination by: Dawn Wages

      Abigail is a fantastic, well known and influential member of the Python community who made a home for people in open source -- myself included. In the rooms that Abigail enters, I feel more confident about how my earnest interest in the success of the community will be received. She is a bright light of positivity and an unending well of effort. We are already lucky to have Abigail as a member of the global Python community and this chapter, as a member of the Python Software Foundation board, will be folding in her tactical skills to the strategic missions I've already seen her champion: education, access and organizational sustainability.

      I've personally seen how Abigail will bring together a group of people under a unified banner in the mission of helping our ecosystem. I have no doubt she will continue that work on the board for the Python software foundation and am honored to support her nomination.

    • Nomination by: Marlene Mhangami

      I’m very happy to nominate Abigail for the PSF board. She has been in the Python community for many years and has contributed, volunteered and advocated for others whenever she could. Abigail and I worked together as part of a small committee that organized the first PyCon Africa! During this time she worked with people from around the continent and the world to make the event a success and ensure everyone felt welcome. Abigail was also one of the leads at PyLadies Ghana, and has giving several keynotes at PyCons advocating for women in tech. She is the founder of a non-profit, ‘Everything Open Source’, dedicated to making sure open source is embraced and accessible to all. Her involvement in open source recently led her to speak at the United Nations! Abigail has shown a continued commitment to the community and would bring insights from her personal and professional experiences to the board that I doubt can be found anywhere else. I would encourage anyone voting this year to vote for her!

    • Nomination by: Cheuk Ting Ho

      Abigail has a deep connection with her Python community back home in Ghana as well as the PyLadies communities worldwide, as she was the Outstanding PyLady Award Recipient in 2024. She also was awarded the PSF Community Service Award in 2020. While she is currently living in the US, she has participated in multiple initiatives in PyCon US and the PSF, including those involving diversity and inclusion, education and outreach.

      I believe with her experience in the Python community, the PSF and her expertise in education and outreach for the open source community she can lead and make decisions for our community to keep growing in a positive direction.