Steven Deobald Appointed as GNOME Foundation’s New Executive Director: A Strategic Shift for Open-Source Leadership

 

Steven Deobald, a longtime open-source advocate, is the new GNOME Foundation Executive Director. Learn how his leadership will shape GNOME’s future, financial stability, and transparency in the open-source ecosystem.

Leadership Transition at GNOME Foundation

Last July, Holly Million stepped down as the GNOME Foundation’s Executive Director after less than a year in the role. Richard Littauer served as the interim Executive Director until this week, when the Foundation announced its new permanent leader.

The GNOME Foundation, a cornerstone of open-source software development, has appointed Steven Deobald—a longtime free software advocate—as its new Executive Director. With a deep-rooted history in the open-source community, 

Deobald’s appointment signals a strategic shift toward transparency and financial sustainability for the organization.

Who Is Steven Deobald?

• Canadian free software advocate with 20+ years of experience in open-source ecosystems

• GNOME user since 2002, bringing firsthand familiarity with the platform’s evolution.

• Active contributor on platforms like GitHub, where he engages with developer communities.

Deobald’s leadership comes at a pivotal moment for GNOME, as the Foundation seeks to:

✔ Enhance financial stability through diversified funding strategies

✔ Improve transparency in governance and decision-making

✔ Strengthen developer engagement to accelerate GNOME’s growth

Strategic Vision for GNOME’s Future

In his inaugural statement (published on blogs.gnome.org), Deobald emphasized:

“Our priority is ensuring GNOME remains a sustainable, community-driven project while expanding its impact in the open-source ecosystem.”

His focus aligns with broader industry trends, where open-source foundations are adopting corporate partnerships, grant programs, and membership drives to secure long-term viability.

Why This Matters for the Open-Source Community

The appointment of a seasoned advocate like Deobald suggests GNOME is doubling down on its core values while adapting to modern open-source challenges, including:

• Funding models for sustainable development

• Enterprise adoption of open-source desktops

• Developer retention in competitive ecosystems

For those invested in Linux desktop environments, this leadership change could influence:

🔹 GNOME’s roadmap (e.g., Wayland adoption, accessibility improvements)

🔹 Corporate backing (Red Hat, Canonical, and other major sponsors)

🔹 Community-driven initiatives (outreach, mentorship, diversity programs)

Read the Full Announcement

Deobald’s official welcome post provides deeper insights into his vision. Read it here.