October 21, 2023 — Consider the evolving landscape of the WordPress industry. Striking a balance between the cost of open-source contribution, business involvement, and the sustainability of WordCamps has become a critical necessity. This talk offers an honest look at the issues at hand.

It’s time to pave the way for sustainable contribution to the project, including WordCamps, creating a more balanced WordPress ecosystem.

September 10, 2023 — Have you ever been too ashamed to admit your current state of mind to yourself, your colleagues or your loved ones?
There is nothing EVER more important in life than your own health – both physical and mental.

There is a myth that we all have a destiny and that we know it from an early age. This is far from true for everyone. But it can be quite unsettling if you’re not part of that group, can’t it? Don’t envy these people!

There were many times when my path changed and when I had to break out of the life I was living to protect my health. It was only by taking a step back every now and then and reconsidering my personal choices and values that I became who I am today: a pioneer who loves new challenges and needs to reinvent herself from time to time to thrive. We’re aware change and stepping out of your comfort zone can be stressful and scary, especially when struggling with mental health issues. But everything you want is on the other side of fear!

In this talk, I’ll explain why taking a few steps back and finding out who you really are is important for your personal and professional growth. We’ll talk about how to re-evaluate your priorities and values, how to recognize when you need a break, and how to maintain your mental health status.

May 26, 2023 — May is European Diversity Month 2023, and we want to harness the opportunity to push the conversation on diversity – and hence on inclusivity – with a panel that will focus on the value of “stepping up” and shining!

The panelists will share their experiences, insights, and best practices to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the professional world, with a special focus on encouraging women and minorities to participate more actively in public speaking at conferences.

Presentation Slides »

May 23, 2023 — Have you ever felt too ashamed to admit to yourself or others about your state of mind?

I learned that there is nothing ever more important in life than my own health – both physical and mental. There have been many times where my path changed and even when I had to break out of my own life in order to protect my health.

There is a myth that we all have a destiny and that we know it from a young age. Don’t envy those people!

Only by stepping back once in a while and by reconsidering my personal decisions, did I became who I am today: a pioneer who likes new challenges and who needs to reinvent herself from time to time.

Nevertheless, deep inside I am also afraid of change and I struggle with mental health issues. Leaving the comfort zone can be very scary but everything you want lies on the other side of fear.

In this talk, I will give you my insight on why stepping back is important to your progress and to find out who you really are.

We’ll discuss reevaluating personal and professional priorities and values, how to understand when you need a rest, and how to keep your mental health up.

January 6, 2019 — How I regained strength and confidence after having to deal with the consequences of my biggest fear: REJECTION.

If you struggle with imposter syndrome and are afraid of being rejected, this talk is for you! Also, I might mention ‘borrels’ 😉 #shareyourrejections

October 9, 2018

July 25, 2018 — What could be the benefit of being part of the WordPress Community if you don’t even use WordPress? How far can you get if you decide to step out of your comfort-zone and overcome your fears?

My husband dragged me kicking and screaming to my first WordCamp. I did not even know what WordPress was up to that point and I was scared of meeting the “nerdy” part of my husband’s life probably due to not being able to get involved.

The story I want to share is about how things evolved afterward, as I visited several WordCamps as a passionate volunteer to the point of getting a true WordPress Community-Junkie. It is about how I became a WordCamp organizer, speaker and emcee in almost no time. It is about how I found new enjoyable professional challenges.

It is the story about how I have been changing my life completely in only one year, because I dared to step out of my comfort-zone.

May 5, 2018 — What could be the benefit of being part of the WordPress Community if you don’t even use WordPress? How far can you get if you decide to step out of your comfort-zone and overcome your fears?

My husband dragged me kicking and screaming to my first WordCamp. I did not even know what WordPress was up to that point and I was scared of meeting the “nerdy” part of my husband’s life probably due to not being able to get involved.

The story I want to share is about how things evolved afterward, as I visited several WordCamps as a passionate volunteer to the point of getting a true WordPress Community-Junkie. It is about how I became a WordCamp organizer, speaker and emcee in almost no time. It is about how I found new enjoyable professional challenges.

It is the story about how I have been changing my life completely in only one year, because I dared to step out of my comfort-zone.

January 9, 2018 — I entered the world of WordPress because my husband invited me to join him during his trip to WordCamp Europe 2016 in Vienna. I did not even know what WordPress was up to that point. I was scared of meeting the “nerdy” part of my husband’s life probably due to not being able to get involved into it because of a lack of both interest and knowledge.
The story I want to share is about how things evolved afterward, as I visited several WordCamps as a passionate volunteer to the point of getting a true WordPress Community-Junkie. It is about how the community has actually allowed me to take part in the life that my husband’s leading every day. It is about how I became a WordCamp speaker and emcee as well as a member of the organizing team of three different WordCamps including WCEU 2018 without even having used WordPress professionally before.
It is the story about how I have been changing my life completely in one year: from sickness, frustration, and depression through a new source of inspiration and creativity to lots of new opportunities in personal and professional matters.
Being part of and contributing to the WordPress Community can be a very inspiring and enriching experience – not only for WordPress users and professionals but also for their partners, friends, and family.

May 22, 2017 — Mein persönlicher Weg vom Nicht-WordPress User zum WordPress Community-Junkie – oder – wie ich dank der außergewöhnlichen Community auch ein Teil der „Nerd-Welt“ meines Mannes werden konnte:

über gesammelte Erfahrungen beim WCEU 2016, WC Frankfurt, WC Cologne, WC Nederland, WC London;

– über jede Menge Inspiration für neue, berufliche und persönliche Pfade;
– über neu entdeckte persönliche Stärken und Kompetenzen und jede Menge Dazulernen;
über absolute Inklusivität und wie es sich anfühlt, bedingungslos aufgenommen zu werden;
– über Frustration und Krankheit und den Weg zu neuer physischer und psychischer Stärke;
– über den Aufbau meiner ersten eigenen Webseite für ein gemeinnütziges Projekt, fast ohne Vorkenntnisse;
– über Jobangebote aus heiterem Himmel und neue berufliche Perspektiven;
– über das Schreiben für HeroPress und andere WordPress-Kanäle;
– über die Organisation eines deutschen WordCamps und Meetups;
– über das Erreichen eines neuen Levels meiner Ehe

auf dem Weg zu einem neuen selbstbestimmten und erfüllten Leben.