Introduction and Early Life
00:00:00
Karen Herman introduces the interview and welcomes Deb Goodkin. Deb shares details about her birth in Hollywood, California, in 1961, and her childhood growing up in Southern California, including Los Angeles and San Diego.
Family and Childhood Interests
00:00:50
Deb describes her parents' careers—her father in real estate and her mother as a bacteriologist. She recalls her outdoor-oriented childhood, influenced by having two older brothers, and her love for activities like backpacking and filmmaking with her family.
Early Career Aspirations
00:03:04
Deb discusses her broad range of career interests as a child, from astronaut to veterinarian, and how her parents encouraged her to pursue any field she wanted. She mentions not being exposed to computers until college.
College Education and Introduction to Computing
00:04:48
Deb explains her college journey at UC San Diego, where she initially considered business before discovering her strength in math and shifting to computer engineering. She later pursued a master’s degree in electrical engineering at Santa Clara University.
Transition to Technology and IBM Career
00:05:24
Deb shares how she joined IBM in 1984, initially focusing on storage and firmware development. She describes the structured approach IBM used for software development and how it shaped her technical skills.
Leaving IBM for the Silicon Valley Boom
00:12:54
Deb talks about the culture at IBM, where employees typically stayed long-term, and her decision to leave for better opportunities in Silicon Valley. She joined Macstor, marking her first foray into management.
Working with Major Tech Companies
00:19:31
Deb details her role at Macstor and later Sirius Logic, working closely with companies like Sun Microsystems, HP, and NeXT. She describes the collaborative nature of these partnerships.
Moving to Colorado and Becoming a Consultant
00:25:03
Seeking more flexibility, Deb moved to Colorado and worked at various storage companies before transitioning into freelance consulting, enjoying the autonomy and work-life balance.
Introduction to the FreeBSD Foundation
00:30:34
A friend connected Deb with Justin Gibbs, founder of the FreeBSD Foundation, leading her to take on the role of running the nonprofit. She initially knew little about FreeBSD or open source.
Learning the Open Source Landscape
00:33:42
Deb discusses her introduction to open source, her initial lack of familiarity with it, and the challenges of managing a nonprofit while learning about the FreeBSD community and its needs.
FreeBSD Foundation’s Mission and Growth
00:39:45
Deb explains the relationship between the FreeBSD Foundation and the FreeBSD Project, their separate roles, and how the foundation provides financial and technical support to the community.
Advocating for FreeBSD and Open Source
00:44:04
Deb outlines how the foundation promotes FreeBSD through conferences, documentation, and outreach. She explains FreeBSD’s presence in widely used technologies like Netflix and PlayStation.
Funding and Supporting Open Source Development
00:52:02
Deb describes the process for funding FreeBSD projects, how companies contribute, and how the foundation evaluates proposals to enhance the operating system.
Open Source Community Culture and Challenges
00:56:01
Deb reflects on the open source community’s collaborative nature, the challenge of attracting and retaining volunteers, and the importance of diverse contributions beyond just coding.
International Collaboration and Impact of COVID-19
01:03:42
Deb discusses FreeBSD’s international community, cultural diversity, and the impact of COVID-19 on operations, including transitioning internships and events online.
Legacy Contributors and FreeBSD’s 30-Year History
01:07:35
Deb highlights key figures in FreeBSD’s history, including Kirk McKusick and Jordan Hubbard, and how the project has evolved since its founding in 1993.
Growth of the FreeBSD Foundation
01:09:30
Deb describes how the foundation has expanded from a one-person effort to a team of dedicated professionals, increasing funding and outreach efforts to support FreeBSD’s growth.
Leadership Style and Challenges in Tech
01:15:24
Deb reflects on her leadership style, emphasizing collaboration and work-life balance. She discusses challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry.
Greatest Achievements and Mentorship
01:21:31
Deb considers her biggest achievements, focusing on mentoring young women in tech and promoting inclusivity in STEM fields rather than just technical accomplishments.
The Importance of Documenting History
01:26:06
Deb emphasizes the significance of preserving historical records in tech, ensuring accuracy, and learning from past developments to shape the future.
Message to Future Generations
01:29:21
Deb shares advice for her future great-grandchildren, encouraging perseverance, learning from failures, and pursuing passions despite challenges.
Final Thoughts and Looking Ahead
01:31:51
Deb reflects on her career journey, balancing work and family, and her excitement about future opportunities. She expresses gratitude for the interview and the chance to share her story.