Birgit Pauli-Haack

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An unexpected conversation with an influential publisher in the WordPress Community who knows just about everyone and everything.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Birgit Pauli-Haack, someone I deeply admire for her contributions to the WordPress community. We began by diving into her background, starting with her studies at the University of Munich, where she majored in business with a focus on restaurant and hotel management. Birgit shared insights into Germany’s unique apprenticeship system, which combines practical experience with academic learning, a system that shaped her early career in the hospitality industry.

Birgit described herself as a dedicated student, though she admitted to being a bit of a troublemaker, especially during her school years. She fondly recalled memories from her childhood, including her protective nature, which once led her to stand up for a friend in kindergarten. These anecdotes revealed a mischievous side to Birgit, one that still seems to shine through in her personality today.

Our conversation then shifted to her journey to the United States, where she moved with her husband after his company transferred him to Naples, Florida. This transition marked a significant change in Birgit’s life, as she left behind her life in Germany and embraced a new beginning in America. Despite the challenges, Birgit found solace in volunteering and eventually discovered her passion for web development, which led her to start her own agency and dive deep into the world of web design and development.

Birgit’s love for art also surfaced during our chat, as she spoke about her deep appreciation for surrealism and her involvement with art museums in the U.S. and Germany. She recounted memorable visits to the Salvador Dali Museum and other exhibitions, highlighting how art has been a consistent thread throughout her life.

We also touched on Birgit’s significant contributions to the WordPress community, particularly her work with the Gutenberg Times website, which she started in 2018. She has been instrumental in documenting the evolution of the WordPress block editor and has been an active participant in the WordPress core contributor program. Her dedication to keeping the community informed through her newsletters and podcasts has made her a central figure in the WordPress ecosystem.

As we wrapped up, Birgit recommended Milana Capp, a longtime leader in the WordPress documentation team, as a future guest for Seriously Bud. Birgit’s story is one of passion, dedication, and a lifelong love for learning and sharing knowledge, and it was an absolute pleasure to hear about her journey.