Lahari Chowtoori
Lahari Chowtoori is a Technical Program Manager at AWS working on open source AI and Machine Learning projects. With a background in Data Science and ML, she’s interested in making AI more accessible and learning how open source communities build together. Lahari has spoken at Open Source Summit (NA and EU), PyTorch Conference, JupyterCon, SCaLE, and All Things Open, sharing what she’s learned about AI, open source collaboration, and building sustainable ecosystems.
Sessions
The Hidden Heroes: How Non-Technical Contributors Find Their Place in Open Source Communities
18. March 2026, 10:50 - 11:20
Wintergarten
In the open source world, while code contributions often take the spotlight, the ecosystem thrives on the crucial work of non-technical contributors. Through interviews with over 10 seasoned open source professionals in documentation, program management, and community building, we explore the vital role of non-technical contributors in open source ecosystems. This talk delves into their emotional and professional journeys, from navigating code-centric communities to becoming essential project pillars.