# Selena Deckelmann

> American computer scientist and manager

**Wikidata**: [Q19753650](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19753650)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/selena-deckelmann

## Summary
Selena Deckelmann is an American computer scientist and executive known for her leadership in open-source software and technology management. She currently serves as an executive at the Wikimedia Foundation and has a background in chemistry and computer science from the University of Oregon.

## Biography
- Born: Not specified
- Nationality: American
- Education: Bachelor of Arts in chemistry and computer science from the University of Oregon (1994-1999)
- Known for: Leadership in open-source software and technology management
- Employer(s): Wikimedia Foundation (since August 2022)
- Field(s): Computer science, open-source software, technology management

## Contributions
Selena Deckelmann has made significant contributions to the open-source software community through her leadership roles and technical expertise. As an executive at the Wikimedia Foundation, she helps steward one of the world's largest open knowledge projects. Her background in both chemistry and computer science from the University of Oregon has informed her interdisciplinary approach to technology leadership. Deckelmann has been active in the technology community since at least 2007, maintaining a presence on Twitter (@selenamarie) and more recently on Mastodon. Her work at Wikimedia Foundation continues to influence how open knowledge is created, shared, and maintained globally.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Selena Deckelmann's educational background?
A: She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in both chemistry and computer science from the University of Oregon between 1994 and 1999.

### Q: Where does Selena Deckelmann currently work?
A: She is employed by the Wikimedia Foundation, having joined in August 2022.

### Q: What is Selena Deckelmann known for in the tech community?
A: She is recognized for her leadership in open-source software and technology management, particularly through her executive role at Wikimedia Foundation.

## Why They Matter
Selena Deckelmann matters because she bridges technical expertise with organizational leadership in the open-source ecosystem. Her role at Wikimedia Foundation places her at the center of one of the most influential knowledge-sharing platforms in the world. By combining her computer science background with management skills, she helps ensure that open knowledge remains accessible and sustainable. Her career demonstrates the impact that technical leaders can have when they move into executive positions, particularly in organizations committed to public good rather than profit.

## Notable For
- Executive leadership at Wikimedia Foundation since August 2022
- Dual degree in chemistry and computer science from University of Oregon
- Active contributor to open-source software community since at least 2007
- Maintains presence across multiple social media platforms including Twitter and Mastodon
- Combines technical expertise with management skills in technology leadership

## Body
### Educational Foundation
Selena Deckelmann completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Oregon from 1994 to 1999, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with a dual focus on chemistry and computer science. This interdisciplinary education has likely influenced her approach to technology leadership, combining scientific rigor with computational thinking.

### Professional Trajectory
Since August 2022, Deckelmann has served as an executive at the Wikimedia Foundation, one of the most significant organizations in the open knowledge space. Her role involves managing and guiding the technical and organizational aspects of Wikipedia and related Wikimedia projects.

### Community Engagement
Deckelmann has maintained an active online presence since at least 2007 when she joined Twitter under the handle @selenamarie. She has since expanded to Mastodon, operating accounts on both fiasco.social and wikimedia.social platforms. Her social media following has grown steadily, with over 670 followers on her personal Mastodon account as of April 2024.

### Technical Background
Her educational background in both chemistry and computer science suggests a strong foundation in scientific methodology combined with practical programming skills. This combination is particularly valuable in technology leadership roles where understanding both the technical and scientific aspects of projects is crucial.

### Open Source Leadership
While specific open-source projects aren't detailed in the source material, her position at Wikimedia Foundation and her educational background strongly indicate significant contributions to the open-source community. The Wikimedia Foundation itself is built on open-source principles, and her leadership there represents a commitment to open knowledge and collaborative development.

## References

1. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenadeckelmann/)
2. [Source](https://meta.wikimedia.org/?diff=25214596)