Sabela Muñiz receives the Yoast Care fund for her contribution to the WordPress community

Meet Sabela Muñiz, a valued member of the WordPress Community Team! Her commitment and valuable contributions to the community are why Juan Hernando nominated her for the Yoast Care fund. Let’s learn more about this passionate WordPress enthusiast.

Nominator Juan Hernando: “Sabela is an example of effort and sacrifice and a true leader. Since the day she arrived at the WordPress community, she’s helped and inspired so many people with her work, attitude, and willingness to make the world a better place. She hasn’t had an easy journey, personally or professionally, but she is always willing to lend a hand, prepare a barbecue, or lead a WordCamp! She is the kind of person that if she embarks on an adventure, you must follow her.”

Let’s get to know Sabela Muñiz

That’s quite an introduction, Sabela! We would love to get to know Sabela even better. That’s why we asked her some questions about her work and her passion for WordPress:

Hi, Sabela! What do you do?

I’m a product, UX/UI and 3D designer. You could also say that I am an expert in finding creative, effective, and efficient solutions to design problems, giving shape and life to ideas, and questioning everything to detect or foresee failures and, thus, find improvements or alternatives.

I love customization and small details, so I always put all my effort and interest into ensuring the success of my projects. That’s why, in addition to the work that feeds me, I am constantly involved in projects that challenge me and allow me to help others or improve this world.

Why did you start contributing? Could you share your first contribution with us?

I met the organizers of WordCamp Pontevedra at the end of 2018 when I attended a monthly Meetup. When I saw the enthusiasm, dedication, and care they put into making the event a success, I wanted to contribute in a small way. I knew little about WordPress, so I thought of a way to contribute to the event using what I had learned. That’s how I came up with giving life to WordCamp Wappu.

First, I made a 3D model inspired by the design that Lúa Louro had made. Next, I decided to animate it to welcome the attendees of the WordCamp Pontevedra 2019. I created a video that Juan Hernando, the WordCamp leader that year, had to synchronize with to make it look like they were having a conversation. Except for a minor glitch, the inauguration was very cool and surprising.

That was my first WordCamp, and after experiencing it, I wanted to get more involved in the WordPress community. I attended Jose Luis Losada’s talk, “How I have taken advantage of WordPress,” in which he convinced us of the importance of collaborating and that everyone has something to provide.

Since then, I have collaborated on everything possible: from organizing events to giving talks. I’ve also translated some, uploaded videos to WordPress TV, or simply moved chairs, as Jose Luis would say.

What contribution or moment are you most proud of?

I always love it when someone comes to me and says, thanks to you. For example, thanks to you, I dared to/learned to/I met/I discovered/etc. However, the moment when I truly felt that what I was doing mattered, was in the do_action hackathon before the WordCamp Pontevedra 2023. I was the event coordinator, and I was pretty concerned that everything went well, that the teams did a good job, that the associations were involved, and that it was valuable and enriching for everyone involved.

When it was time to present the websites that we had created that day, a member of one of the associations (who had not been able to be there during work time) arrived. When he suddenly saw the result, seeing his website as something real and in operation, he was very surprised and excited about something that, otherwise, he might never have been able to have. Seeing the happiness reflected on his face and receiving the participants’ thanks made me feel proud and happy for the effort and work done.

Why WordPress?

I am not an advocate of any tool. I always say that everyone should use what they feel comfortable with and what allows them to do what they need without too much effort.

However, beyond the technical or design aspects, WordPress has a community behind it that I have not seen in other open-source technology groups or groups of digital professionals. In addition to including very different profiles from diverse backgrounds, the welcome and connections formed from the very first moment are incredible.

You arrive without knowing anything about WordPress, without knowing anyone, and soon, you have a family that you can count on for anything. There is always someone who knows something you need and is willing to share it with you.

In an era of individualism, self-sufficiency, having to know everything, virtual contacts, emotional loneliness, the WordPress community allows you to find people willing to join forces and resources, who leave aside selfishness. Something like that is rare to find. It’s priceless.

Where can people find you: online, at WordCamps, or other meetups?

You can surely find me at some technological event in Galicia. Although my heart is with WordPress, I also collaborate with more groups or projects to fight against the digital divide. I love meeting people with other interests because they always have something to contribute to my life. They help me see the world from other perspectives, and discover what happens beyond my usual circle.

In addition, you can find me at any WordPress Pontevedra meetup, because I don’t miss a single one. If possible, I also attend the meetups of the other groups in Galicia. And, of course, you can find me at this year’s WordCamp Pontevedra since I am the lead organizer.

If you want to know more about me as a designer, you can visit my website. You can also follow me or contact me through X.

Thank you for this interview, Sabela, and for all of your contributions to the WordPress community! Do you know someone like Sabela Muñiz who also deserves to be in the spotlight? Go to our Yoast Care page and nominate them right away.