# Danese Cooper

> American advocate of open source software

**Wikidata**: [Q11493](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11493)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danese_Cooper)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/danese-cooper

## Summary
Danese Cooper is an American computer scientist, engineer, and advocate for open source software. She has held significant roles at major technology organizations, including Sun Microsystems, the Wikimedia Foundation, and PayPal. Cooper is also recognized for her service in the Peace Corps and her contributions to the open source community.

## Biography
*   **Born:** January 19, 1959
*   **Nationality:** United States
*   **Education:**
    *   Bachelor of Arts, University of California, Los Angeles (1976–1981)
    *   Chadwick School (1970–1976)
*   **Known for:** Advocacy of open source software
*   **Employer(s):** PayPal, Wikimedia Foundation, Sun Microsystems
*   **Field(s):** Computer Science, Engineering
*   **Residence:** California

## Contributions
Throughout her career, Danese Cooper has functioned as a computer scientist and engineer within the technology sector. Her professional trajectory includes tenure at Sun Microsystems, a defunct American computer hardware and software company notable for its role in computing and software development. She also contributed to the Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit organization behind Wikipedia, and PayPal.

Cooper’s work is characterized by her advocacy for open source software, a stance that defines her professional identity. She has maintained a digital presence via her personal blog and social media platforms, where she discusses technology and open source issues. Her career spans various facets of the industry, from corporate employment to involvement with volunteer organizations like the Peace Corps.

## FAQs

### Q: What is Danese Cooper's primary professional background?
A: Danese Cooper is a computer scientist and engineer. She is widely described as an American advocate of open source software.

### Q: Which organizations has Danese Cooper worked for?
A: Her notable employers include Sun Microsystems, the Wikimedia Foundation, and PayPal. She is also a member of the Peace Corps.

### Q: Where did Danese Cooper receive her education?
A: She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles, after attending Chadwick School.

### Q: What are Danese Cooper's religious or philosophical influences?
A: She identifies with Zoroastrianism and has been influenced by Meher Baba.

## Why They Matter
Danese Cooper matters significantly to the technology sector as a prominent voice in the advocacy of open source software. Her association with major entities like Sun Microsystems—an early pioneer in computing—positions her as a veteran in the field. By bridging corporate roles at companies like PayPal with non-profit work at the Wikimedia Foundation, she represents a link between proprietary technology sectors and the free knowledge movement. Her long-standing presence in the industry, evidenced by her early adoption of platforms like Twitter in 2007 and her maintained residence in California, underscores her continued relevance in the evolution of digital collaboration and software development.

## Notable For
*   **Open Source Advocacy:** Widely recognized as an American advocate of open source software.
*   **Corporate Leadership:** Held engineering and computer science roles at Sun Microsystems, PayPal, and the Wikimedia Foundation.
*   **Educational Background:** Alumni of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
*   **Service:** Member of the Peace Corps.
*   **Digital Influence:** Maintains an active online presence with a verified blog and social media following.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Danese Cooper was born on January 19, 1959. She pursued her secondary education at Chadwick School, attending from 1970 to 1976. Following her high school education, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she studied from 1976 to 1981, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree.

### Career
Cooper's career spans several prominent organizations within the technology and service sectors.
*   **Sun Microsystems:** She was affiliated with Sun Microsystems, a major American computer hardware and software company founded in 1982.
*   **Wikimedia Foundation:** Cooper served as an employer for the Wikimedia Foundation, contributing to the organization's mission of disseminating free knowledge.
*   **PayPal:** She is also listed as an employer of PayPal, a major player in the financial technology sector.
*   **Peace Corps:** Beyond the corporate world, Cooper is a member of the Peace Corps.

### Personal Life and Views
Cooper resides in California. Her worldview is identified as Zoroastrianism, and she cites Meher Baba as a significant influence. She speaks English.

### Online Presence
Cooper maintains an active digital footprint. Her website is hosted at `danesecooper.blogs.com`. On GitHub, she uses the username `Danese`, and on LinkedIn, her profile is identified as `danesecooper`. Her Twitter handle is `@DivaDanese`, an account she started in June 2007. She also has a presence on various academic and library platforms, including the ACM Digital Library and the Library of Congress.

## References

1. LinkedIn
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Google Knowledge Graph
4. CONOR.SI
5. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File