Arun Gupta

Arun Gupta Speaking Topics

• How to Create a Functional Governing Board That Delivers Impact

  A governing board can be either a powerful strategic asset or an ineffective bottleneck. So, what makes the difference? This talk unpacks the key elements of establishing a high-functioning, purpose-driven governing board, particularly in open source foundations and mission-aligned organizations. Drawing on a collective experience of 14 years on various governing boards and five years as chair, Arun Gupta explores how to structure a governing board to ensure clarity of roles, promote diversity of perspective, build trust among members, and establish mechanisms for decision-making that drive progress.

  You’ll learn how to foster alignment among the board, stakeholders, and member organizations; why psychological safety is essential; and how to avoid common pitfalls, such as corporate overreach, founder bias, and "rubber-stamp" governance. Whether you're forming a board from scratch or trying to rehabilitate a dysfunctional one, this session offers a practical blueprint for making your board a force multiplier for your mission.

• Gen Z Developer Characteristics and Learning Patterns

  Gen Z refers to individuals born between 1997 and 2012, placing them between the ages of approximately 13 to 28 in the year 2025. As the first true digital natives, they have grown up immersed in technology, with smartphones, social media, and instant access to information shaping their worldview and behavior. Gen Z is known for its digital fluency, pragmatic mindset, and a strong sense of social and environmental responsibility.

  As developers, Gen Z is not only shaping the current tech landscape through innovative side projects and contributions to open source, but they also represent the future architects and decision-makers of tomorrow’s multi-billion-dollar enterprise and consumer tech investments. Understanding how to engage with this generation is crucial for any organization looking to remain relevant in the years ahead.

  This talk will explore the defining characteristics of Gen Z developers, their preferred learning methods—such as bite-sized content, real-time collaboration tools, and community-driven platforms—and what they value in technology ecosystems and corporate culture. You will walk away with actionable insights on how to structure your outreach strategies, content formats, and community engagement efforts to connect authentically and effectively with Gen Z.

• Force Multiply Your Technical Delivery with These Non-Technical Skills

  Any person in a technical role requires a combination of technical and non-technical skills. Technical skills can be acquired by a wide variety of means, such as getting a degree, earning a certification, or reading a tutorial. Non-technical skills are the personal qualities that define how you interact with others. In a globally distributed and diverse world, these non-technical skills are sometimes more critical and important than technical skills. These skills are needed whether you are a newbie or a veteran in the tech industry, an individual contributor or a manager. They help you to be an effective team player, inspire others in the team, and help make your team more successful. This talk uses personal experiences to illustrate what non-technical skills are, why they are relevant, and what are some of the most important skills to master to create an effective team environment.

• Fostering Open Source Culture - Increase Innovation and Deliver Faster

  Open source accounts for approximately 90 percent of modern software development, yet the demand for such technology skills continues to grow. Consequently, companies are struggling to hire the right talent. Arun Gupta has taken companies such as Apple, Amazon, Sun Microsystems, Red Hat, and Intel through systemic changes to adopt open source principles, enabling them to contribute and collaborate effectively in open source communities.

  This talk will highlight the importance of an open source culture and share proven techniques that can be built and nurtured. It will explain the need and mechanisms to support open source code maintainers, enabling business needs to be met more efficiently. It explains why it is essential to have a business alignment with open source and the purpose of an Open Source Program Office. It will explain the value of InnerSource, internal events, and leveraging external open source communities in building an active workplace culture.

  This talk will be based upon 40+ case studies compiled in "Fostering Open Source Culture" book authored by the speaker.