This is a blog series where we're asking each of our PyConUS 2026 keynote speakers about their journey into tech, how excited they are for PyconUS and any tips they can provide for an awesome conference experience!
Thank you amanda for this interview! You can learn more about amanda's keynote on the PyConUS Keynote Speakers page and you can also attend amanda's meet and greet at the PSF Booth in the Expo Hall on Thursday May 14 during the opening reception at 5 - 6pm PT.
Without giving any too many spoilers, tell us what your keynote is about?
More and more these days, amanda is asking how do you make space in open source for hope.
How did you get started in tech/Python? Did you have a friend or a mentor that helped you?
My first time wrestling with Python was in 2009 when I was struggling to set up a webserver for a graduate student project building a microgrid testbed for a local national park. When I moved to Seattle a few years later, the local Python tech community was extremely welcoming, friendly, and really focused on bringing people together to make them feel connected. I especially grateful to
My first time wrestling with Python was in 2009 when I was struggling to set up a webserver for a graduate student project building a microgrid testbed for a local national park. When I moved to Seattle a few years later, the local Python tech community was extremely welcoming, friendly, and really focused on bringing people together to make them feel connected. I especially grateful to PyLadies Seattle leader Wendy Grus, and later Carol Willing, for entertaining and celebrating with me so many silly ideas.
What do you think the most important work you’ve ever done is? Or if you think it might still be in the future, can you tell us something about your plans?
It's hard for me to judge what the most important work I've ever done is, or will be. So much of my work is a series of incremental changes or decisions made with a goal to impact what is next, rather than what is nearby. What I will always be most proud of is when I'm given the opportunity to build teams with other people who challenge me. The most important is always the people, and how we spend the time together when our lives intersect.
Have you been to PyCon US before? What are you looking forward to?
YES! In no particular order, I'm looking forward to: community booth time, meals with old friends, meeting new friends, and finally giving the 5K a noble effort.
Do you have any advice for first-time conference goers or any general conference tips?
Pick at least one talk or session that is completely new to you, or that you have no idea whether or not it intersects with your interests. If it's a low-volume crowd, sit near the front, and be the silent, attentive, and encouraging audience member that every speaker needs.Can you tell us about an open source or open culture project that you think not enough people know about?
I'm a MASSIVE space nerd. Last year I finally learned about RTEMS, and now I'm obsessed. Everyone talked about the proprietary software failure from the recent Artemis II launch, but they SHOULD have been talking about RTEMS being onboard!!! As a successful open source project that's been running for over 30 years, I want everyone to know about this.
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