Introducing The Carpentries Board of Directors

Community,
It is my honour to introduce the Board of Directors, who will work alongside us to advance our mission and guide us through our fiscal sponsorship transition. As we look to the future, we also take a moment to celebrate the invaluable contributions of our outgoing Board members. Their wisdom and dedication have played a pivotal role in shaping The Carpentries into the organisation it is today. With gratitude for their service, we eagerly welcome our incoming Board members. Their fresh perspectives and energy will enrich our vision and propel us forward as we navigate 2025 and beyond.

Outgoing (Legacy) Board Members

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the following members of the Board of Directors, whose terms concluded on 1 February 2025. We look forward to continuing to connect and collaborate with them in new ways.

John Chodacki (board member since 2023; Executive Council member since 2021)
Konrad Förstner (board member since 2023; Executive Council member since 2020)
Michael Smith (board member since 2023; Executive Council member since 2021)
Sarah Stevens (board member since 2023; Executive Council member since 2021)

Continuing Board Members

The following members of the Board of Directors will continue to serve through the end of their terms.

Paola Corrales (term ends February 2027)
Mark Crowe (term ends February 2027)
Eboni Dotson (term ends July 2025)
Nisha Ghatak (term ends February 2027)
Yanina Bellini Saibene (term ends July 2025)
Jannetta Steyn (term ends February 2027)

As an independent non-profit organisation, we no longer require an Advisory Committee (Executive Council), a role that concluded on 1 February 2025. We sincerely thank Konrad Förstner, Nisha Ghatak, and Yanina Bellini Saibene for their dedicated service on the Advisory Committee, fulfilling our fiscal sponsorship requirements with exceptional commitment.

Meet Your Incoming Board Members

We are proud to introduce you to the individuals who were onboarded last month, and who will serve three-year terms on The Carpentries Board of Directors.

Samantha Ahern

Samantha Ahern is a Senior Digital Research Trainer (ISD) and co-lead for Advanced Research Computing (ARC) at UCL. With 20 years of experience in secondary and tertiary education, Samantha leads ARC’s Transforming Research Communities theme. She is a STEM Ambassador, Fellow of the University of London CODE, Trustee of the Society of RSE, and member of the EDIA Working Group. A Carpentries Instructor and Trainer, Samantha chairs the Software Carpentry Lesson Program Governance Committee. She co-authored the Learning Technologists’ Anti-Racism Tool, contributed to the CODE Navigating the Future project, and has published on learning analytics and student well-being.

Phil Brooks

Phil Brooks is the Head of Product Management Infrastructure and Architecture at Genentech, leading a team of product managers responsible for data transfer, storage, cataloguing, and productivity products supporting research innovation. Previously at Ancestry, he managed bioinformatics products, improving HPC systems and scientific innovation for diverse populations. With roles at 10x Genomics and Seven Bridges, Phil has developed transformative bioinformatics solutions globally. Holding a PhD from Michigan State, Phil combines technical expertise with a passion for building diverse, high-performing teams. A Carpentries advocate since 2012, he fosters STEM access for under-represented groups.

Luke Corbin

Luke Corbin is the Assistant Vice President of Digital Transformation & AI for AT&T Business, leading efforts to transition strategic products to cloud platforms and implement AI solutions that reduce costs and enhance experiences. With expertise in innovation, strategy, and technology, Luke drives revenue growth and operational efficiency through fiber and 5G connectivity. An AT&T executive with a history of transformative roles, Luke holds a Summa Cum Laude BBA from Washington State University. Based in Frisco, TX, Luke enjoys photography, live music, and family vacations to Mexico, Tahoe, and Kauai.

François Michonneau

François Michonneau has been a contributor to The Carpentries since 2014, serving as an Instructor, Maintainer, Trainer, and member of the Core Team. With a PhD in marine biology from the University of Florida, François supports researchers and data scientists in maximising their data potential. He advocates for open science and reproducible research, developing tools and resources for scientists, including contributions to R packages for biological data analysis. François’s teaching and mentoring work exemplify his dedication to helping researchers manage and analyse data effectively.

Stephanie Pulford

Stephanie Pulford is a STEM education and data science leader focused on advancing computational literacy and agency. With a PhD in mechanical engineering, Stephanie’s research combined machine learning and qualitative analysis to address STEM success for diverse student populations. She held research and faculty development roles at the University of Washington, Auburn University, and UC Davis, where she was the associate director for Instructional R&D. In the tech industry, Stephanie has led AI advancements in conversational systems, promoting creativity and collaboration within her teams to drive innovation.

Yo Yehudi

Yo Yehudi is the Executive Director and co-founder of OLS, a Software Sustainability Institute Fellow, NASA TOPS grantee, Society of RSE Trustee, and Research Software Alliance steering committee member. Recently defending a doctoral thesis on human factors in research software and open communities, Yo has also been an editor for the PLOS Open Source Toolkit, Codefirst:Girls instructor, Mozilla volunteer, and board member of the Open Bioinformatics Foundation. Past roles include editor emeritus for the Journal of Open Source Software and developer for InterMine, an open-source biological data warehouse at the University of Cambridge.

Learn More

Learn more about The Carpentries governance by visiting our website.