This article is based on Kelly Shalk’s presentation at the Developer Engagement Summit. DMA members can enjoy the complete recording here.
Let’s be real – it’s been a tough few years.
A lot of us have worked at companies that have gone through layoffs. And those of us still standing? We’re being asked to do way more with way less – less budget, fewer teammates, and tighter timelines.
That kind of pressure doesn’t just strain resources – it strains people, relationships, and the way teams work together. When survival becomes the priority, collaboration and communication often fall by the wayside.
That’s why I want to talk about open source, not just in terms of code but culture. Embedding open source principles into the way your company operates can be a game-changer. It builds collaboration, encourages transparency, boosts morale, and yes, it can even positively impact your bottom line.
But first, let me introduce myself. I’m Kelly, and I lead the developer marketing team at DocuSign. I’ve spent my whole career in developer marketing and developer relations, building teams and programs from scratch at companies of all shapes and sizes.
Over time, I’ve realized just how much my values align with open source principles. I’ve seen how transformative it can be when companies open up not just their code, but the way they work, and that’s what I want to share with you today.
Let’s dive in.
What happens when you don’t open-source your culture
Let’s start with the pain. You know it, I know it – the silos, the friction, the burnout.
You might join a company and quickly realize there are silos everywhere. It’s not anyone’s fault – people are doing great work, chasing their goals – but they’re doing it in isolation. Teams that should be collaborating aren’t even talking, even when they’re targeting the same audience or solving the same problem.
Then there’s the friction. You step into a team dynamic and sense tension, not because of anything you did, but because of long-standing history and team misalignment. That history can weigh heavily, and without transparency, it’s hard to untangle. Progress slows down.
And of course, there’s burnout. If you’ve ever felt completely depleted at work, you’re not alone – I’ve been there too. In fact, according to last year’s State of DevRel report, 41% of developer relations professionals reported experiencing burnout. On top of that, 37% had their budgets cut. It’s been a rough ride.
And yet, we're still expected to deliver more with fewer resources.
What is open-source culture?
We’ve covered the problems that DevRel professionals are facing. Now, let’s talk about the solution – an open-source culture.
You probably already know this, but just in case you’re new to developer marketing, open-source software is code that anyone can use, modify, or distribute. It’s developed and maintained through open collaboration. It’s about sharing, improving together, and working in the open.
