This is a critical moment for the Open Source Initiative. As Open Source continues to shape global technology, policy, and digital infrastructure, the need for clear stewardship and strong leadership has only grown. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I’m thrilled to welcome Duane O’Brien as OSI’s new Executive Director.

Duane brings a distinctive combination of experience and perspective to this role. He’s shown a heightened ability to recognize where the Open Source ecosystem is headed and to bring people together to respond in practical ways. That work happens in the day-to-day reality of maintainers, foundations, and organizations as they navigate complex questions about how Open Source is sustained and governed.

Duane understands the economic dimensions of Open Source without losing sight of the people who make it work. His experience in industry has given him insight into how companies engage with Open Source, but his focus has consistently been on supporting the individuals and communities at the center of that work. That balance is essential to OSI’s mission and to the long-term health of the ecosystem.

The Board’s search process reflected the gravity of this moment. We had the opportunity to consider an exceptional group of candidates from around the world, each bringing deep experience and commitment to Open Source. It was a thoughtful and deliberate process, and it underscored just how strong this community is—and how important it is to choose the right leader at this crossroad. Duane is that right person we need to step up and lead OSI through the work ahead.

The work in front of us is both complex and necessary. One of our priorities is the continued evolution of the Open Source AI Definition. This will require careful listening, renewed engagement with the community, and a transparent process that brings together a wide range of perspectives. The goal is not only to refine the definition, but to ensure it reflects a rapidly changing landscape while remaining grounded in the principles that have long defined Open Source.

Crucially, OSI’s role in policy and education continues to expand. Around the world, governments and institutions are making decisions that will shape how Open Source is developed, shared, and protected. Our responsibility is to help those stakeholders understand what Open Source is, why it matters, and how to preserve the freedoms that make it valuable. This requires sustained engagement in regions where regulation is evolving quickly, alongside the deep, collaborative work necessary to keep our ecosystem partners aligned.

We are also recommitting to the core of OSI’s mission: education and stewardship of the Open Source Definition. That stewardship is expressed in part through licensing, which remains fundamental to Open Source and is becoming more important as new technologies raise new questions. Ensuring that developers, organizations, and policymakers understand these foundations is critical to maintaining an open and accessible ecosystem. We work to enable participation and to preserve the ability for individuals and communities to build, share, and innovate without unnecessary barriers.

This is a pivotal moment for the next phase of OSI and for the broader Open Source ecosystem. The challenges ahead will require steady stewardship, thoughtful collaboration, and a shared commitment to the principles that have sustained Open Source for decades. I’m endlessly grateful to Deb Bryant for her leadership during this transition and to the community for its continued engagement and support. I am excited to work with Duane as we tackle this next chapter together. 

Tracy Hinds
Chair of the Board
Open Source Initiative

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