Kathy Zant is a seasoned digital executive with over 20 years of web development experience for companies large and small. She’s been using WordPress for over a decade. In the last two years, she’s been a security analyst for Wordfence, developing services for WordPress users to better understand and manage their site security. She currently lives at the base of Mount Shasta in far northern California.
We’re thrilled to have Kathy onboard as a speaker at WordCamp Sacramento 2018 asked a few questions to help you get to know more about her. Check out our mini interview with Kathy below:
What is the topic of your WordCamp talk?
Evaluating Plugins: Strategies To Effectively Extend WordPress
Why do you think this is important?
Extending WordPress above and beyond the core functionality is part of what makes WordPress so powerful. However, the sheer number of plugins available can be overwhelming. A strategy for evaluating plugins makes both developing new projects and managing WordPress installations easier.
What’s your WordPress origin story?
I found WordPress a long time ago, about the same time I was using other blogging tools. I was a web developer at the time, and WordPress just… worked. It was fast and easy and used the same database class I was using on other projects, so I started exploring under the hood. WordPress has since evolved into a rich extensible platform that made it easy for me to stop developing sites from scratch and focus on cultivating customer relationships.
How has WordPress impacted your world?
Working with WordPress for well over a decade, the number of plugins and themes made developing sites from scratch redundant. I transitioned clients to WordPress, and now I work with WordPress every day. WordPress was the stepping stone to my dream job helping users secure their sites. I love helping people learn how to get the most from WordPress and become better site owners. I love both contributing to and receiving support and connection in the WordPress community.
You can connect with Kathy further at:
@kathyzant | LinkedIn | Instagram
Get Your Ticket ASAP!
WordCamp Sacramento 2018 sold out in 2015, 2016, and 2017, and we do expect it to sell out again. Be sure to get your WordCamp Tickets asap to secure you spot at this awesome event! Tickets are only $40 (thanks to our generous sponsors) and include:
- Two full days of Beginner Tracks, walking new users through how to use WordPress.
- Two mixed tracks of sessions on Saturday.
- Two mixed tracks of sessions on Sunday.
- A Happiness Bar — our version of a help desk, open throughout the event so you can get help with your site and get your questions answered.
- An opportunity to network with and meet sponsors, speakers, and other WordPress community members, including business owners, designers, developers, agency owners, bloggers, copywriters, freelancers, site owners, and more.
- Refreshing drinks throughout the entire event.
- A WordCamp Sacramento 2018 t-shirt.
- A catered lunch on Saturday.
- A networking reception Saturday immediately following the event.
- Snacks on Sunday.