Winstina Hughes

Founder of Support Inclusion in Tech (SiNC) and a long-time contributor to the WordPress open-source ecosystem.

I am a community builder, organizer, and strategist working at the intersection of open source, sustainability, and access. My work focuses on reducing the structural and financial barriers that limit who is able to participate — and remain — in open-source communities.

I am an active WordPress community contributor, hosting meetups in New York City, co-organizing WordCamps, and supporting contributors across regions and roles. As a transportation planner by profession, I integrate systems-level analysis, community development principles, and accountability practices into my open-source contributions.

 
I founded Support Inclusion in Tech (SiNC) in 2022 in collaboration with partners across the WordPress ecosystem. SiNC provides direct, flexible financial support to contributors, speakers, organizers, and community leaders so they can participate fully without absorbing unsustainable personal costs.
 
SiNC funding has supported:
 

Rather than positioning itself as a solution in isolation, SiNC operates as one part of a broader ecosystem choice: investing in people so open source remains collaborative, representative, and resilient.
 

 
Open source depends on consistent participation, yet participation is often treated as cost-neutral. It is not. When support is absent, contributors leave — not due to lack of talent or commitment, but due to financial strain.
 
My work is grounded in the belief that inclusion is not symbolic — it is infrastructural. Sustainable ecosystems require intentional support, trust, and shared responsibility.

Thank you for your love and for supporting this work to keep open source accessible. 💚