SPEAKER 2025
Jim Grisanzio
Host, Duke's Corner Java Podcast, Oracle
About Talk
Building FOSS Communities: 20 Lessons from 20 Years
In this session, we’ll explore 20 lessons I’ve learned from building global FOSS communities with a special focus on Java’s three decades of success as a model for empowering developers.
Learn the who, what, where, when, why, and how of creating vibrant communities whether you’re a developer, organizer, or newcomer. For developers already coding, discover how your contributions to projects help shape and grow community. For community managers and support staff, gain tools to nurture and scale your ecosystems. For newcomers, such as students, aspiring developers, or potential organizers, find clear steps to dive in and start contributing right away. And for employers funding your employee participation, you’ll see how engaging thriving FOSS communities can help improve your company’s status among top engineers globally.
TRACK: FOSS For EveryOne
6th Nov 2025 | HALL A | Time:03:30-04:15
About Speaker
Jim Grisanzio works at Oracle on the Java Developer Relations Team in the Java Platform Group, the engineering organization that builds Java. He hosts the Duke’s Corner Podcast, publishes the Inside Java Newsletter, produces multimedia content, and facilitates global community programs such as the Java User Group and Java Champions. With decades of experience in developer advocacy and communications, Jim has delivered presentations at international events, hosted more than 450 developer interviews, and contributed to advancing communities around Java, Linux, Oracle Database, MySQL, AI/ML, Developer Tools, Cloud, and Open Source technologies.
Prior to his current role, Jim led developer marketing initiatives at Oracle, including managing the Oracle Developers YouTube channel, social media platforms, and the Oracle Groundbreakers Podcast. Earlier in his career, he managed FOSS projects in Solaris engineering and served as the OpenSolaris Community Manager at Sun Microsystems, driving global community engagement and open-source adoption. With a background spanning science writing, health care policy, publications, and technology communications, Jim brings a unique ability to bridge technical innovation with global community collaboration.