Women in WordPress: 20 Visionaries Redefining the Platform

Picture this: a digital universe where over 40% of the web pulses with WordPress magic—a sprawling galaxy of code, creativity, and unstoppable community spirit. Now zoom in on the fearless women charging through this tech frontier, smashing ceilings, and rewriting the playbook. These aren’t just contributors; they’re trailblazers—coding geniuses, accessibility queens, and visionary dynamos—propelling WordPress into a dazzling future. Buckle up, because we’re about to spotlight 20 powerhouses who are shaking up the platform with their plugins, pixels, and unrelenting passion. First, though, let’s rewind and marvel at how women have stormed the tech scene over the last five years.

Reign

Women in Tech: The Epic Climb of the Last 5 Years

The tech world’s been flipping the script, and women are seizing the spotlight—slowly, fiercely, and fabulously. Here’s the electrifying climb over the past half-decade:

  • 2020: Women snagged 26% of the global tech workforce—small but mighty, planting the seeds for change.
  • 2021: Engineering and dev roles roared to 28% female, leaping from the sidelines to the coding frontlines.
  • 2022: A third of hires (33%) at tech giants were women—recruitment got a serious glow-up, and the tide started turning.
  • 2023: WordPress hit a jaw-dropping milestone with over 20% of contributors being women—open-source just met its match in girl power!
  • 2024: Women now command 32% of tech leadership roles, including WordPress’s beating heart, proving the ceiling’s not just glass—it’s shattered.

The numbers are buzzing, the momentum’s electric, and the stage is set. Ready to meet the rockstars fueling this revolution? Let’s dive into the 20 women lighting up WordPress like a supernova in a digital sky.

20 Women in WordPress Who’ll Blow Your Mind

1. Bet Hannon – The Accessibility Alchemist

Role: CEO of AccessiCart

Impact: Bet Hannon is the WordPress world’s accessibility superhero, wielding her powers to make the web a playground for everyone. As the fearless CEO of AccessiCart, she’s on a mission to ensure every website—especially eCommerce hubs—meets ADA and WCAG standards, turning inclusion into a no-brainer. With a knack for WooCommerce wizardry, she’s transformed online shopping for people with disabilities, proving that a more accessible web isn’t just noble—it’s a goldmine for businesses. Bet’s a WordCamp regular, strutting onto stages with mic-dropping talks that school developers, designers, and CEOs on weaving accessibility into their DNA. Picture her: sharp-witted, passionate, and armed with data, she’s the advocate who doesn’t just talk the talk—she builds the tools and trains the troops. Her consulting gigs and training programs are like boot camps for inclusivity, leaving a trail of inspired pros in her wake. Bet’s not just reshaping WordPress; she’s redefining what the web can be—one barrier busted at a time.

2. Katie Keith – The Plugin Powerhouse

Role: Co-Founder of Barn2 Plugins

Impact: Katie Keith is the WordPress plugin queen who’s been turbocharging the platform since 2009, when she kicked off Barn2 Plugins with a dream and a laptop. Fast forward to 2025, and she’s turned that startup into a powerhouse, churning out tools that make site owners’ lives easier and their businesses boom. Crowned “Advocate of the Year” at WooSesh 2024, Katie’s not just a CEO—she’s a hands-on innovator, diving into product development, customer support, and strategy with relentless energy. She’s a podcast maven, co-hosting WP Product Talk and Woo BizChat on Do the Woo, where her crisp insights on WordPress trends and growth hacks crackle through the airwaves. Imagine her at WordCamps, her British charm and razor-sharp expertise lighting up rooms as she shares how to optimize WooCommerce or streamline site workflows. Katie’s plugins—like Posts Table Pro and WooCommerce Product Table—are community staples, born from her knack for spotting user pain points and fixing them fast. Her journey from solo entrepreneur to industry titan is a masterclass in grit, and her infectious drive inspires WordPressers everywhere to dream big and code bigger.

3. Pooja Derashri – The Code & Community Crusader

Role: Founder of WPVibes

Impact: Pooja Derashri’s story is a tech fairy tale with a fierce twist. An electronics engineer by training, she traded circuits for code in 2013, diving headfirst into WordPress. By 2015, she’d tied the knot with Anand Upadhyay and launched a dev agency that morphed into WPVibes—a plugin factory pumping out gems that supercharge WordPress functionality. Since 2017, Pooja’s been a core contributor, her PHP and JavaScript skills sharpening the platform’s edges. But her real superpower? Community. She’s a WordCamp whirlwind, organizing events and mentoring newbies with a warm smile and steely resolve, especially pushing women to join the open-source fray. Picture her at a local meetup in India, her passion for diversity lighting up the room as she guides a nervous coder through their first commit. Her plugins—like WP Social—blend technical finesse with user love, while her advocacy builds bridges for the next generation. Pooja’s not just coding; she’s cultivating a WordPress ecosystem where everyone gets a seat at the table.

4. Michelle Frechette

Michelle Frechette is a WordPress community leader, helping drive inclusivity and engagement across the ecosystem. She also hosts multiple WordPress-related podcasts. A frequent WordCamp speaker, Michelle is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices in tech.

5. Patricia BT – The Digital Dynamo

Role: Web Development Strategist

Impact: Patricia BT is the WordPress whisperer small businesses didn’t know they needed until she swooped in. With years of web dev and business strategy expertise, she crafts WordPress sites that don’t just look good—they perform like champions, driving growth and turning heads. Her secret? A laser focus on user-friendly designs that pack a digital punch, paired with a knack for translating tech-speak into entrepreneur gold. Patricia’s a conference circuit staple, her talks buzzing with insights on leveraging WordPress for success, often spiced with real-world wins from her startup clients. She’s a mentor with a mission, especially for women in tech, dishing out advice with a warm, no-nonsense vibe that makes you feel like you can conquer anything. Picture her: part coder, part cheerleader, she’s the force behind countless digital glow-ups, proving WordPress can be a game-changer for anyone with a dream and a domain. Patricia’s reshaping the platform by making it a launchpad for the little guys—and loving every minute of it.

6. Angela Bowman – The WordPress Whisperer

Role: Founder of Ask WP Girl

Impact: Angela Bowman, aka “Ask WP Girl,” has been decoding WordPress since 2007, turning it from a mystery into a masterpiece for her clients. With a wild backstory—think Religious Studies, pharmaceuticals, tech support, and arts management—she’s a creative-tech hybrid who builds custom sites for artists, nonprofits, and small businesses with soul. Her sites aren’t just functional; they’re storytelling machines, blending branding with content magic. Angela’s a teaching tornado, leading Meetups, moderating online groups, and dropping knowledge bombs in classes that make WordPress feel like a breeze. Imagine her at a WordCamp, her high-altitude trek tales and love for square dancing weaving into talks that leave you inspired and ready to code. She’s got a soft spot for accordion players and strategy games, but her real game? Empowering users to own their WordPress journey. Angela’s not just a developer; she’s a community glue, sticking people together with skill and sass.

7. Lauren Levin (Pittenger) – The UX Unicorn

Role: Web Designer & WordCamp Organizer

Impact: Lauren Levin (née Pittenger) is the WordPress world’s UX fairy godmother, waving her wand over life coaches’ sites for eight dazzling years. Armed with an English degree, a design certificate, and a toolkit stuffed with Astra, Beaver Builder, Elementor, and Genesis, she’s built over 35 sites that scream impact. Her freelance-to-agency journey honed a sharp eye for detail, crafting digital homes that blend beauty with purpose. Lauren’s a WordCamp warrior—organizing Lancaster and Philly events, teaching crowds, and speaking with a quiet fire that hooks you in. A self-coaching scholar since 2017, she’s obsessed with mindset and meditation, infusing her work with a mission to raise global vibes. Picture her: soft-spoken yet fierce, she’s the designer who turns WordPress into a canvas for personal growth, proving pixels can change lives—one coach at a time.

8. Anne Bovelett – The Inclusion Instigator

Role: Accessibility Advocate & Entrepreneur

Impact: Anne Bovelett is the WordPress rebel with a cause, born in 1971 to a Dutch clan of artists and academics. She’s been coding since ’98, freelancing her way to full-time entrepreneurship by 2008, and now calls Germany home. Anne’s a multilingual firebrand—think Dutch, German, English—smashing accessibility myths with a designer’s eye and a warrior’s heart. Her WordPress work screams inclusivity, helping companies weave equal access into every corner, from code to culture. Imagine her at a meetup, her passion for usable design sparking debates that flip perspectives—she’s not here to play nice; she’s here to win for everyone. Her commercial streak’s a mystery even to her, but her love for sleek, functional sites is crystal clear. Anne’s reshaping WordPress by proving accessibility isn’t a checkbox—it’s a superpower that lifts us all.

9. Rocío Valdivia – The Global Game-Changer

Rocío Valdivia

Role: Open Source Community Strategist at Automattic

Impact: Rocío Valdivia is WordPress’s global glue, a Computer Engineering grad from Sevilla who’s stitched the planet into one vibrant community. Leading Automattic’s Global Polyglots and Community Programs under Five for the Future, she’s the heartbeat of WordPress.org’s outreach. With 80+ talks across Europe, America, and Asia, she’s a stage-storming advocate for open source, remote work, and women in tech. Co-author of WordPress para Dummies (2012), she broke ground as the first Spanish speaker at WordCamp Europe’s debut in the Netherlands and Bulgaria. Picture her: sharp, spirited, and endlessly curious, she’s the strategist who turns data rights into rallying cries and meetups into movements. Rocío’s not just leading; she’s lifting WordPress into a future where every voice counts—and she’s doing it with style.

10. Kira Schroder – The Core Code Captain

Kira Schroder

Role: WordPress Core Developer at GoDaddy

Impact: Kira Schroder is the WordPress core ninja who’s left her fingerprints all over the platform’s DNA. Release Co-Lead for 3.9, Lead for 4.5, she’s a coding captain who’s sailed WordPress through stormy upgrades with precision. Now at GoDaddy, she’s a full-time contributor, her GitHub buzzing with commits that keep the ecosystem humming. Before that, she shaped DreamHost’s WordPress strategy, turning support into an art form. Kira’s a speaker who lights up rooms with dev wisdom, a coffee geek brewing espresso to fuel her code marathons, and a sailing junkie who thrives on open-water adrenaline. Imagine her: focused yet free-spirited, she’s the force pushing WordPress forward while daring the community to dive into open-source chaos. Kira’s not just coding—she’s captaining a ship of innovation.

11. Helen Hou-Sandí – The Code Composer

Helen Hou-Sandí

Role: Director of Open Source Initiatives at 10up

Impact: Helen Hou-Sandí is WordPress’s symphony conductor, blending code with creativity like a maestro. A core developer legend, she’s led feature projects like the post formats UI, her technical chops shaping how millions interact with the platform. At 10up, she’s Director of Open Source Initiatives, steering big-picture innovation with a meticulous eye. But here’s the twist: she’s also a collaborative pianist, her fingers dancing across keys as deftly as they do code. Picture her balancing late-night commits with Beethoven—Helen’s a rare soul who proves tech can sing. Her talks at WordPress events are a mix of brainy brilliance and quiet passion, inspiring devs to think deeper and code smarter. She’s reshaping WordPress by harmonizing user experience with hardcore engineering, note by perfect note.

12. Lisa Sabin-Wilson – The WordPress Wizard

Lisa Sabin-Wilson

Role: Co-owner of WebDevStudios

Impact: Lisa Sabin-Wilson is the WordPress fairy godmother who swapped a nursing stethoscope for a coding wand—and thank goodness she did. Her books—WordPress For Dummies, BuddyPress For Dummies, WordPress Web Design For Dummies—are bibles for millions, cracking open the platform’s magic for newbies and pros alike. As COO of WebDevStudios, she’s a powerhouse, steering a team that pumps out cutting-edge WordPress solutions. Imagine her: a former nurse with a healer’s heart, now healing websites with pixel-perfect precision. Her journey from healthcare to tech stardom is pure grit, and her leadership keeps WebDevStudios at the forefront of innovation. Lisa’s reshaping WordPress by making it approachable, actionable, and downright fun—proving anyone can wield its power with the right guide.

13. Jen Mylo – The UX Rebel

Jen Mylo

Role: Former UX Lead at Automattic

Impact: Jen Mylo is the WordPress rebel who rewrote the rules of user experience and kicked the diversity door wide open. As Automattic’s former UX Lead, she polished WordPress into a slick, intuitive beast, her fingerprints on every smooth click and seamless flow. But her real legacy? Advocacy. Jen fought to bring more women into the fold, her voice a megaphone for inclusivity that still echoes in 2025. Picture her rallying WordCamp crowds, her passion for fairness as fierce as her design instincts. She’s the spark that lit a fire under the community, pushing for a WordPress that reflects its users—all of them. Jen’s not just a memory; she’s a movement, reshaping the platform into a space where everyone gets a shot at the keyboard.

14. Sarah Gooding – The WordPress Watchdog

Sarah Gooding

Role: Editor at WPTavern

Impact: Sarah Gooding is the WordPress world’s sharp-eyed sentinel, keeping us all in the loop with her WPTavern wizardry. Her journalism is a lifeline—crisp, timely, and packed with insight—turning updates into must-read sagas. With years under her belt, she’s the community’s pulse, her social media humming with news that hooks developers and users alike. Imagine her: digging into WordPress drama, her fingers flying across keys to break stories like Gutenberg tweaks or plugin scandals. Sarah’s not just reporting; she’s narrating the platform’s evolution, her voice a trusted beacon in the chaos. She’s reshaping WordPress by keeping it honest, informed, and connected—one headline at a time.

15. Mika Ariela Epstein (Ipstenu) – The Support Sorceress

Mika Ariela Epstein (Ipstenu)

Role: WordPress Support at DreamHost

Impact: Mika Ariela Epstein, aka “Ipstenu,” is the WordPress support sorceress who conjures fixes with a flick of her digital wand. Dubbed the “Half-Elf support rogue,” she’s a DreamHost staple, her plugin dev skills and troubleshooting magic legendary in forums and beyond. Picture her: part geek, part fairy, she’s the one you pray answers your SOS ticket, her wit as sharp as her code. Mika’s contributions—think plugins, patches, and endless patience—keep WordPress humming, while her community love makes her a fan favorite. She’s not just solving problems; she’s weaving a safety net of support and sass, reshaping WordPress into a place where no one’s left stranded.

16. Carrie Dils – The WordPress Wingwoman

Carrie Dils

Role: WordPress Consultant

Impact: Carrie Dils is your WordPress BFF, the consultant who’s got your back with tutorials and tips that turn chaos into clarity. Her practical, no-fluff approach has been guiding users for years, her Texas drawl a soothing balm at WordPress events. Imagine her: part teacher, part troubleshooter, she’s built a career on making WordPress click for everyone—beginners to pros. Her consultancy gigs deliver custom solutions with a personal touch, while her online presence (think podcasts and blogs) is a treasure trove of how-tos. Carrie’s reshaping WordPress by stripping away the intimidation factor, proving it’s a tool anyone can master with the right wingwoman in their corner.

17. Bridget Willard – The Marketing Maverick

Bridget M Willard

Role: Co-host of WPblab

Impact: Bridget Willard is the WordPress marketing maven who turns sites into cash machines. With a resume boasting GiveWP and the Make WordPress Marketing Team, she’s a pro at amplifying brands with WordPress smarts. Her WPblab podcast crackles with energy, her co-hosting gig a masterclass in growth hacks and community vibes. Picture her: bold, bubbly, and brimming with ideas, she’s the speaker who lights up WordCamps with tips for small businesses—think SEO tricks and social media sorcery. Bridget’s reshaping WordPress by proving it’s not just a platform; it’s a launchpad for dreams, fueled by her infectious hustle and heart.

18. Siobhan McKeown – The Ops Oracle

Siobhan-McKeown

Role: Director of People Operations at Human Made

Impact: Siobhan McKeown is the WordPress sage who blends code with culture, her pen and presence a quiet force of change. As Director of People Operations at Human Made, she’s the wizard behind the curtain, aligning teams to push WordPress innovation skyward. Her writings on web dev and free software are gospel for geeks, while her leadership crafts a workplace where creativity thrives. Imagine her: thoughtful, steady, and wickedly smart, she’s the ops mentor who sees WordPress as more than tech—it’s a human story. Siobhan’s reshaping the platform by bridging the gap between bits and souls, making it a powerhouse with heart.

19. Josepha Haden Chomphosy – The WordPress Visionary

Josepha Haden Chomphosy

Role: Executive Director of WordPress at Automattic

Impact: Josepha Haden Chomphosy is the WordPress captain steering a global ship through open-source waters. As Automattic’s Executive Director, she’s the big-picture boss, weaving strategy, community, and events into a tapestry of progress. Picture her: poised, purposeful, and radiating warmth, she’s the voice at WordCamps rallying thousands to the cause. Her journey from community wrangler to top dog is pure tenacity, her focus on inclusivity and growth keeping WordPress true to its roots. Josepha’s reshaping the platform by dreaming loud and leading bold, ensuring its future sparkles with possibility for all.

20. Nidhi Jain – The Theme-Taming Trailblazer

Role: WordPress Developer & WordCamp Leader

Impact: Nidhi Jain is the WordPress developer you wish you had on speed dial. With six years of mastery under her belt, she’s a theme-taming genius, crafting custom WordPress designs that sing on every device—SEO-friendly, fast, and flawless. Her toolkit? PHP, jQuery, HTML5, and a knack for turning client dreams into pixel-perfect reality. Since 2014, Nidhi’s been a community rockstar in Udaipur, India, organizing WordCamps with military precision—think WordCamp Udaipur 2018, where she led the charge—and speaking at events like 2017’s edition with fiery passion. Her 2018 Kim Parsell Memorial Scholarship win was a nod to her relentless hustle. Imagine her juggling code reviews, translations, and event logistics, all while sipping chai with friends—she’s that rare blend of tech brilliance and down-to-earth charm. Nidhi’s not just building sites; she’s building a legacy of empowerment, proving small-city roots can sprout global impact in the WordPress universe.

The Future of Women in WordPress: A Wild, Bright Ride

The horizon for women in WordPress is blazing with promise, and it’s a spectacle you can’t look away from. Grassroots powerhouses like Women Who Code, Girls Who WP, and the WordPress Women’s Network are cranking up the volume, amplifying voices that once whispered in the shadows of a male-dominated tech world. These groups aren’t just support networks—they’re launchpads, slingshotting women into coding bootcamps, leadership roles, and open-source glory with unapologetic gusto. Meanwhile, WordCamps and local meetups are transforming inclusivity into a full-on fiesta—think vibrant panels, hands-on workshops, and late-night hackathons where diversity isn’t just welcomed, it’s the VIP guest. With these 20 powerhouses at the helm—code-slinging mavericks, accessibility trailblazers, and community catalysts—WordPress isn’t merely evolving; it’s erupting into a technicolor supernova of possibility. The platform’s future is a kaleidoscope of bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and fearless innovation, fueled by women who refuse to settle for the status quo. Scholarships like the Kim Parsell Memorial award are seeding new talent, mentorship programs are sprouting everywhere, and global initiatives like Five for the Future are pouring rocket fuel on this uprising. Buckle up—the best is yet to come, and it’s going to be a dazzling, boundary-smashing ride that redefines what WordPress—and tech itself—can be.

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Who’s Your WordPress Crush?

From accessibility acrobats to core code captains, these 20 women are rewriting WordPress’s epic tale with guts, genius, and a whole lot of glitter. They’re not just shaping a platform—they’re igniting a revolution that’s rewriting tech history. Who’s your fave?


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