Edwin van der Thiel

Freedom Architect | Netherlands

Freedom has been a guiding factor throughout Edwin's career, it drives his ambition and gives meaning, in different ways. In the form of Personal Freedom it's the ability for every person to be themselves. He embrace it in himself, in his development plan, building his career. To others he strives to be as open, fair and welcoming as possible, and defend each one's right to be themselves. In software freedom, through Open Source and Open Standards, He's a big advocate of the ideology. Not only in the open source community, but bringing the culture of openness and sharing wherever he works. Openness is the basis of trust, and it can be a guide to the future. Through freedom of teams, He's a big fan of Agile working. His vision on Agile is centered around the triangle of Trust, Responsibility and Commitment. It brings guidance on collaboration and enablement rather than focussing on processes, managers and templates. Freedom of data, or rather the ability to own your own data. Currently this centers heavily on Decentralization, Web3, Blockchain and the Metaverse. To him the important issue is on building an internet where everyone can be owner of their data, they control it, no governing platform, institution or country can take it. Much like the ideas in your head, you hold what's yours. He loves the south-american culture, in particular Brasil. In his spare time he is a husband to Jacy, father to Amy, a dancer and Capoeira instructor, and loves to explore the world.