Margherita Pelonara

With a career built across radically different contexts, from airlines to SaaS startups, from global open source communities to enterprise digital agencies, one thing has remained constant: I help organisations build the foundations that make growth sustainable.

I grew up watching my parents, both programmers, drawing flowcharts on the kitchen table. Every problem has a structure, every structure can be designed better. That has been the thread running through everything I’ve done.

I’ve spent just as much energy building communities and connections. When I talk to someone, I instinctively see who they should meet and what collaboration could emerge.

That’s where my approach starts: understanding the full picture before finding the right solution. In practice, this means different things for different organisations: strategy, structuring and training teams, process redesign, or integrating new tools and technologies to do more with what you already have.

Some things I’m proud of. I co-led four major releases of WordPress, the CMS powering 40%+ of the web. I founded C+B, an editorial community of 80+ writers that helped thousands of Italian female entrepreneurs find their footing. I won a Stevie Award for mentoring. I built WP Includes to get more women into leadership.

I believe in sharing knowledge generously. I am an educator, community leader, mentor, and international public speaker.