"Service, Contribution, and the Greater Good": Matthew Saunders

JMatthew Saunders is a seasoned technologist and a dedicated Drupal evangelist with a remarkable history of contributions to the Drupal community spanning over 15 years. His journey from a curious developer to a respected leader reflects his deep passion for open-source technology and community-driven innovation. As the co-founder of DrupalCamp Colorado and a former member of the Drupal Association Board of Directors, Matthew has played a pivotal role in shaping the Drupal ecosystem. Currently serving as a Director and Business Process Analyst at Pfizer, he is also a vocal advocate for neurodiversity, inspired by his own experiences with Autism, ADD, and Dyslexia.

As the Drupal Association Board Elections continue through 5 September, The DropTimes' "Meet the Candidate" campaign aims to introduce the community to the individuals competing for a seat on the board. This initiative allows members to delve into the motivations, ideas, and qualifications of each candidate, ensuring informed voting decisions.

In this exclusive interview, Matthew Saunders shares his vision for a more inclusive, innovative, and well-governed Drupal community. He discusses his commitment to transparency and effective leadership, drawing on his extensive experience in nonprofit governance and community building. Matthew also highlights how his personal experiences have fueled his advocacy for neurodiversity and the specific initiatives he hopes to champion if elected to the board.

TDT [1]: The most generic question to a candidate at any election is why do you want to run? Similarly here, why do you want to run to a board seat at the Drupal Association?

Matthew Saunders: I am running for a board seat at the Drupal Association because I believe in service, contribution, and the greater good. We should all give where our strengths lie, and I have spent much of my professional life working with and volunteering and as a volunteer leader of non-profits, and engaging in good governance on non-profit boards.

For 17 years, I've organized DrupalCamp Colorado, co-founded and chaired Drupal Colorado Inc., and co-founded the Events Organizer's Working Group. I have also served as Customer Service Manager and Volunteer Wrangler for DrupalCon Denver, and have been honored to speak at nine DrupalCons and multiple Drupalcamps, including keynotes at DrupalCamp Colorado and DrupalCamp Austin. My tenure as an admin of the Drupal Facebook Page and as a Board Alumnus and Chair of the Governance Committee for the Drupal Association has only deepened my commitment to our community's growth and governance.

With nearly eight years of board experience with the Drupal Association, Drupal Colorado, and CrownPointe Academy, along with my role on the Advisory Board of NEXT for Autism, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a passion for fostering collaboration and inclusivity.

Drupal has supported my family for the better part of two decades. It is deeply rooted in my identity now. Some of my best friends, supporters, and colleagues have come from this community. You have supported me, and I want to continue to support you.

If elected, I will focus on enhancing our community's inclusivity, supporting local and global events, and ensuring transparent and effective governance. Together, we can build a brighter future for the Drupal community.

TDT [2]: What can the Drupal Community expect from your candidacy? What are the innovative ideas Drupal should look forward to if you are to win?

Matthew Saunders: As a board member, the Drupal Community can expect my unwavering commitment to good governance, ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making in all our endeavors. I will prioritize succession planning to maintain the continuity and growth of our leadership, ensuring we are always prepared for the future. Moreover, I am deeply dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a particular focus on Universal Design that aligns with neurodiversity, to create an environment where everyone, regardless of their abilities or neurological differences, can contribute and thrive.

TDT [3]: If you could change one thing about the current structure or operations of the Drupal Association, what would it be and why?

Matthew Saunders: Succession planning is vital for the Drupal Association to ensure the longevity and sustainability of our leadership and community. By developing better support systems, enhancing communication, and fostering collaboration, we can create an environment where leaders can contribute effectively without facing burnout. This effort is not about individual recognition but about amplifying diverse voices and making it easier for new leaders, especially those from underrepresented groups, to step forward and thrive. Through thoughtful succession planning, we can build a stronger, more inclusive Drupal community that continues to innovate and grow.

TDT [4]: How do you envision the Drupal community evolving over the next five years, and what role do you see yourself playing in that transformation?

Matthew Saunders: Over the next five years, I envision the Drupal community becoming even more inclusive, innovative, and collaborative. We will see greater diversity in leadership and contributions, with a strong emphasis on Universal Design and neurodiversity, ensuring that our platforms and events are accessible to all. Our technology will continue to advance, driven by a vibrant community of developers, organizers, and users who share a commitment to open-source excellence.

In this transformation, I see myself playing a crucial role in fostering good governance, promoting succession planning, and championing diversity, equity, and inclusion. I will work tirelessly to support new leaders, streamline our communication and collaboration systems, and create an environment where every voice is heard and valued. By doing so, I aim to help pave smoother paths for contributions and ensure that our community remains resilient, dynamic, and forward-thinking.

TDT [5]: Can you share a specific instance where you successfully led a community or organizational initiative? What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them?

Matthew Saunders: One specific instance where I successfully led a community initiative was in founding and running the Drupal Events Organizing Working Group. This involved partnering to write the charter and working closely with Dries Buytaert to have it ratified. Building a new working group within the Drupal ecosystem was a significant challenge that took nearly a year to accomplish. It required extensive collaboration, negotiation, and promotion. I sat on the Working Group until term limits no longer allowed me to continue, and I presented at multiple Drupal camps to promote our efforts and gather support from the community.

Another example of my leadership is my role in founding and chairing Drupal Colorado Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States that promotes open source and Drupal, primarily in the western region. This endeavor was particularly challenging, as it took three attempts to successfully complete the work. The process required writing all the necessary documents for incorporation and the follow-up documentation to apply for tax-exempt status. Persistence and a thorough understanding of non-profit management were key to overcoming these hurdles and ensuring the organization's successful establishment.

Additionally, I have been instrumental in organizing and running DrupalCamp Colorado for the past 17 years. This long-term commitment included being on the organizing committee for DrupalCon Denver, which presented its own set of challenges such as coordinating with a large team, managing logistics, and ensuring a high-quality experience for attendees. Through effective communication, detailed planning, and a passion for the community, I was able to help create events that fostered learning, networking, and growth within the Drupal community. These experiences have equipped me with the skills and determination needed to lead and support community initiatives effectively.

TDT [6]: How do your personal experiences with Autism, ADD, and Dyslexia inform your advocacy for neurodiverse members within the technology community, and what specific measures will you promote to improve accessibility and support for these individuals in the Drupal ecosystem?

Matthew Saunders: My personal experiences with Autism, ADD, and Dyslexia have deeply informed my advocacy for neurodiverse members within the technology community. In 2019, I began my public journey as an advocate for neurodivergent individuals by presenting at DrupalCon Amsterdam. In that session, I shared my story of navigating a neurotypical world as a neurodivergent person. This journey began when I was researching my daughter’s challenges after adopting her from social services at the age of five. This led me to read extensively and attend classes and seminars to understand her neurodivergence better, which in turn helped me understand my own.

Through this research, I had a series of revelations about my own ADHD, and Dyslexia, and eventually, the realization that I am on the Autism spectrum. These insights were life-changing and helped me move from barely coping to understanding and embracing my neurodivergence. Without my daughter’s influence, I might never have had these realizations. Initially, I was afraid to discuss my mental health challenges and learning disabilities, as I had learned to mask these aspects of myself to avoid prejudice and protect my professional and personal relationships. Over time, I recognized the importance of sharing my experiences to help others facing similar challenges.

As an advocate, my goal is to improve accessibility and support for neurodiverse individuals in the Drupal ecosystem. I will promote specific measures such as implementing Universal Design principles to create more inclusive environments and providing resources and training to help the community understand and support neurodiversity. By fostering better communication and collaboration between neurodiverse and neurotypical members, we can achieve positive working outcomes and ensure that everyone, regardless of their neurological differences, can thrive in the Drupal community.

Matthew Saunders runs a YouTube series, titled, "My Neurodivergent Brain" discussing his experiences with Neurodivergence.