August 20, 2026 — AI is now embedded in plugins, themes, content pipelines, and client sites across the WordPress ecosystem. Most WordPress professionals have focused on what AI can do. Almost nobody has focused on what it requires of you legally This talk covers the compliance gap that agencies, freelancers, and product builders are about to run into: GDPR and data residency implications of AI tools processing user content, consent requirements when AI is involved in personalization or communication, the EU AI Act and what it means for WordPress businesses serving European clients, and disclosure obligations that are already in effect in some jurisdictions. These are not hypothetical future risks. They are current, and the WordPress ecosystem is largely unprepared for them. Attendees will leave with a practical checklist for auditing their own sites and client sites, an understanding of which AI use cases carry the most legal exposure, and clarity on what questions to bring to their legal counsel.

October 30, 2020 — Learning to think like a hacker in the security realm is a big part of keeping your assets safe, and there are additional benefits. In this session, Kathy will use the stories of defeating hackers to help you make better security decisions. She’ll also illustrate how the hacker mindset is much more than protecting your site and information. Thinking like a hacker can also help you break through perceived limitations, overcome obstacles, and capitalize on opportunities to innovate.

Presentation Slides »

October 20, 2020 — This year has been a year like no other, challenging each of us to rethink how we work, play, relate and create in our community and our lives. To think of thriving in such uncertain times seems like a challenge in and of itself. As digital creators using WordPress, we have an empowering foundation available to not only create security for ourselves, but also for those we connect with. Though the times might be uncertain, our capabilities and tools aren’t. By staying focused on our purpose as creators, we can find our way to thrive and stay secure no matter what is happening around us.

April 2, 2020 — You wouldn’t believe how far malicious actors will go to take over websites for profit. Kathy believes it; she’s seen it all as she’s helped hundreds of WordPress site owners recover after getting hacked. As WordPress now powers more than one-­third of the web, it’s a big target and attracting the attention of more hackers. Learning to think like a hacker in the security realm is a big part of keeping your assets safe, plus there are additional benefits. In this session, we will hear stories of how defeating hackers can help you make better security decisions. The hacker mindset is much more than protecting your site and information; thinking like a hacker can also help you break through perceived limitations, overcome obstacles, and capitalize on opportunities to innovate.

Presentation Slides »

December 31, 2019 — Extending WordPress above and beyond the core functionality is part of what makes WordPress so powerful. However, the sheer number of plugins available can be overwhelming. A strategy for evaluating plugins makes both developing managing WordPress easier. In this presentation, attendees will learn:

• Strategies and tools for evaluating one plugin over another
• Key factors to consider
• Evaluation tools
• Paid plugins versus free: do you get what you paid for?
• Managing plugins and updates
• Evaluating plugin security:
• How to research plugin security history
• Identify functionality that may be risky
Attendees will also receive a plugin evaluation checklist they can take home to help choose plugins that fit their project’s objectives.

Presentation Slides »

December 2, 2019 — Extending WordPress above and beyond the core functionality is part of what makes WordPress so powerful. However, the sheer number of plugins available can be overwhelming. A strategy for evaluating plugins makes both developing managing WordPress easier.

In this presentation, attendees will learn:
Strategies and tools for evaluating one plugin over another
– Key factors to consider
– Evaluation tools
Paid plugins versus free: do you get what you paid for?
Managing plugins and updates
Evaluating plugin security:
– How to research plugin security history
– Identify functionality that may be risky

Attendees will also receive a plugin evaluation checklist they can take home to help choose plugins that fit their project’s objectives.

Presentation Slides »

November 11, 2019 — Learning to think like a hacker in the security realm is a big part of keeping your assets safe, and there are additional benefits. In this session, Kathy will use the stories of defeating hackers to help you make better security decisions. She’ll also illustrate how the hacker mindset is much more than protecting your site and information. Thinking like a hacker can also help you break through perceived limitations, overcome obstacles, and capitalize on opportunities to innovate.

November 4, 2019 — Extending WordPress above and beyond the core functionality is part of what makes WordPress so powerful. However, the sheer number of plugins available can be overwhelming. A strategy for evaluating plugins makes both developing managing WordPress easier.

In this presentation, attendees will learn strategies and tools for choosing one plugin over another. We’ll also look at paid plugins versus free and find out if you get what you paid for. We’ll also look at how to manage plugin updates and evaluate security. We’ll find out how to research plugin security history and identify risky functionality.

Presentation Slides »