Why I'm Being More Intentional with Communities
NOTE
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Why I'm Being More Intentional with Communities
I'm ending my involvement with Pavilion and focusing my energy elsewhere. Not because it wasn't valuable—it was. Pavilion is a strong product marketing community, and I learned a lot there. But I only have so many hours in the week. Being intentional means choosing where those hours go.
I budget about 10–15 hours a week for side projects and community work. That sounds like a lot until you spread it across multiple communities. I was showing up in a lot of places and contributing deeply in almost none. So I stepped back, asked where I could actually make a difference, and doubled down on three places that align with my values and where I can show up consistently.
Here's where I'm focusing instead—and how you can think about your own choices.
CNCF Merge Forward
What it is: A CNCF community initiative focused on bringing more diverse voices into cloud native technology.
Why it matters: The cloud native ecosystem needs more perspectives. Not just diversity for diversity's sake, but because different experiences lead to better products, better decisions, and better communities.
My contribution: Marketing and community building. Helping amplify voices that aren't always heard in technical communities.
Why this aligns: Being intersectional matters. I'm queer, I grew up with a stutter, and I identify as BIPOC. These lived experiences shape how I see the world and what's missing in tech communities. Merge Forward lets me raise awareness in a cloud native way—using the tools and platforms I work with every day to create space for voices that aren't always heard. It's technical, it's community-focused, and it connects to my work in developer marketing, but it's also deeply personal. I can contribute meaningfully without spreading myself too thin because it aligns with who I am and what I care about.
Get involved: CNCF Merge Forward — monthly meetings (first Tuesday of the month), working groups from Women in Cloud Native to Stuttering and Speech Diversity, and buddy programs. Open to underrepresented folks and allies.
Wednesday Women
What it is: A community for women in tech, focused on support, networking, and professional development.
Why it matters: Women in tech still face unique challenges. Having a space to share experiences, ask questions, and support each other matters.
My contribution: Sharing my experiences running multiple brands, building in public, and navigating tech marketing as a woman.
Why this aligns: I went to a single-gender institution—Simmons University (formerly Simmons College). It was always about the advancement of women. That experience shaped how I think about community, support, and creating spaces where women can thrive. Wednesday Women, AI Snack Club, and similar communities continue that mission. It's a space where I can both give and receive support, and the community is small enough that my contributions feel meaningful, but large enough to have impact.
Learn more: Wednesday Women — executive membership, curated dinners and coffee events, and a community built around connection rather than pitching.
Bayanihan Equity Center - Board President
What it is: A nonprofit serving the Filipino community in San Francisco, focused on equity, advocacy, and support services.
Why it matters: This is personal. My family is Filipino. The work BEC does—supporting veterans, providing services, advocating for the community—matters to me in a way that goes beyond professional networking.
My contribution: Board president role. Strategic planning, governance, fundraising, and ensuring the organization can continue serving the community.
Why this aligns: It's not about my career. It's about giving back to a community that's part of who I am. Seniors and Filipino/immigrant advocacy connects to lived experience—we all age, and hopefully we do it gracefully, enriched by community. The work is meaningful in a different way than professional communities because it's about supporting people who share my heritage and ensuring they have the resources and community they need as they age.
Learn more / support: Bayanihan Equity Center (sfbec.org) — services for low-income seniors, adults with disabilities, and families; culturally responsive programs; donations and volunteer opportunities welcome.
Why Intentionality Matters
When you have limited time, you can't be everywhere. You have to choose. I asked myself: Where do my values, my skills, and my available hours actually overlap? The three communities above are where that overlap is real for me.
Before: I was involved in multiple communities, showing up occasionally, not really contributing deeply to any of them.
Now: I'm focusing on three communities where I can:
- Make meaningful contributions
- Align with my values and goals
- Give back in ways that matter to me
The result: Better contributions, deeper relationships, and more impact with the same amount of time.
What This Means for You
If you're feeling spread thin across communities, consider:
- What aligns with your values? Not every community needs to be professional networking.
- Where can you contribute meaningfully? It's better to contribute deeply to a few communities than superficially to many.
- What matters to you personally? Some of my most meaningful work is with BEC, which has nothing to do with my career.
Being intentional about community contribution isn't about saying no to everything. It's about saying yes to the things that matter—and showing up for them in a way that actually makes a difference.