From Oracle to MariaDB: A Community Advocate's Journey

Last Friday marked my final day at Oracle, and today I begin my new role at MariaDB.org. This transition has surprised many, but for those closely following the MySQL ecosystem, it represents a natural evolution in my career path.

My decision to leave Oracle was made well before the recent announcements about renewed community engagement initiatives. While I genuinely hope these efforts bring success to MySQL, they didn't alter my conviction that it was time for a change. Those familiar with my work know I've been a steadfast advocate for open-source principles throughout my career.

When I joined Oracle nearly a decade ago, I did so with some reservations but also with genuine belief in their stewardship of MySQL. For several years, Oracle demonstrated competent management, culminating in the remarkable MySQL 8.0 release. However, the landscape began shifting dramatically. The teams faced significant changes even before the recent large-scale layoffs, with talented product managers like Morgan, Matt, Kenny, and Airton departing - early warning signs of deeper issues.

During this period, I witnessed declining interest in the Community Edition with each new release. As a community manager, I found myself increasingly addressing a hostile community sentiment toward MySQL, with engagement metrics continuing their downward trajectory. While Oracle's new direction toward embracing the community again is necessary, I question whether it might be too late. Many exceptional engineers have already departed - some joining MariaDB - and I struggle to envision how Oracle can pivot quickly enough to reverse these trends. I sincerely hope my assessment proves incorrect.

Meanwhile, another player in the database space has been consistently doing right by the open-source community. MariaDB represents a product where development remains transparent, roadmaps are publicly discussed, and innovation directly addresses user needs. The choice became clear: this is where my skills and energy belong.

In my new role, I'll dedicate myself entirely to an open-source project that has maintained its commitment to open principles from inception. MariaDB continues evolving to meet user expectations while fostering genuine community collaboration.

There's currently discussion about creating a foundation to 'save' MySQL, but perhaps such an organization already exists in the MariaDB Foundation. For MySQL users seeking alternatives, MariaDB offers compelling advantages: more features, greater innovation potential, and an open invitation for community contributions.

Let's work together to build the future of open-source databases. The path forward is clear, and I'm excited to help guide this journey.

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