People from PSF: Meet Dawn Gibson Wages

Welcome to our “People from PSF” interview series! In this series, we introduce the individuals behind the Python Software Foundation, exploring their unique journeys, community contributions, and insights. Today, we are excited to feature Dawn Gibson Wages, a Technical Program Manager, Python Community Advocate, and PSF Board of Directors.

Let’s get to know Dawn better!

Can you tell us a little about yourself? (Your background, hobbies, education, etc.)

I’m an African American queer woman from the southern United States, now living in Pennsylvania with my wife and two dogs. I hold a degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I learned to code through community involvement and workplace experience, making me both a self-taught and community-taught engineer.

How did you first get involved with the Python community?

My journey started with Django, when I attended a Django Girls workshop at DjangoCon US 2016 in Philadelphia. At the time, I was working as a SQL analyst and wanted to expand my technical skills. Despite facing hiring challenges in my early years, I remained committed—volunteering, speaking, and staying engaged in the community until I landed my first development job in 2018. My local Python Users Group in Philadelphia played a significant role in my journey.

What personal or professional projects are you currently focused on?

I’m currently involved in multiple initiatives, including:

WebAssembly support for CPython (mentorship)
Python Community at Microsoft
Djangonaut Space mentorship program
CMDLimes Python consultancy

These projects reflect my passion for mentorship, advocacy, and making Python more accessible to diverse communities.

What PSF activities are you involved in, and which working groups are you contributing to?

Right now, I serve on the PSF Board of Directors. I’m also looking to start a working group focused on the needs of local Python user groups, ensuring they receive the resources and support necessary to thrive.

What advice would you give someone considering running for the PSF Board of Directors?

1️⃣ Start by writing about what you want to see in your community. Even if your ideas aren’t fully formed, putting them out there—in any language you’re comfortable with—can spark conversations and show others your vision.

2️⃣ Talk to current PSF members. Many ideas have been tried in different ways—some succeeded due to timing and resources, while others faced legal or logistical challenges. Understanding how to collaborate effectively within a nonprofit framework will help shape your approach.

3️⃣ Share your thoughts early and often. Open source is all about collaboration. Instead of waiting for everything to be perfect, put your ideas out there, get feedback, and refine them together with the community.

I would love to see more African representation on the PSF Board of Directors. Ensuring diverse voices are heard is crucial to making the Python community more inclusive and globally connected.

📌 Connect with Dawn:
🔗 GitHub: github.com/dawnwages
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dawnwages/
🌍 Website: dawnwages.info