The AsyncAPI Initiative is thrilled to announce the candidates for our 2026 Governance Board elections! This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future direction of our project and community. Whether you're a long-time contributor or new to the ecosystem, your vote matters.
In this post, we're introducing the four outstanding candidates stepping forward to lead AsyncAPI into the next chapter of our growth. Read on to learn about their backgrounds, their contributions to AsyncAPI, and their vision for the project's future.
Why These Elections Matter
The Governance Board plays a crucial role in the AsyncAPI Initiative, with responsibilities including:
- Ensuring compliance with the AsyncAPI charter and community standards
- Maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all AsyncAPI participants through oversight of community policies
- Sustaining AsyncAPI's viability through sponsorship and funding strategies
- Strategic oversight of major project decisions and technical direction
- Community leadership that balances rapid innovation with project stability for the enterprises that rely on AsyncAPI
- Conducting transparent governance through regular elections and inclusive decision-making processes.
The board consists of 3 or 5 members, each serving a 24-month term. Elections are held on a staggered schedule to ensure continuity while allowing fresh perspectives to enter the governance structure.
Each of these candidates brings unique perspectives, skills, and dedication to the AsyncAPI mission. They represent the diversity of our community across continents, professional backgrounds, and areas of expertise within the project.
A Thank You to Fran Mendez
As we welcome new perspectives to the Governance Board, we want to take a moment to honour Fran Mendez, who recently stepped down from his role as Governance Board member.
Fran's leadership and vision have been instrumental in shaping AsyncAPI into the vibrant, inclusive, and well-governed initiative it is today. His dedication to the project from its early days through its evolution into a cornerstone of the event-driven architecture community has left an indelible mark on our organisation and our culture.
The governance structures, community policies, and inclusive practices that we celebrate today are built on the foundation Fran helped establish. His commitment to transparent, community-driven governance has set the tone for how we make decisions and involve our members. Thank you, Fran, for your exceptional service and leadership. Your contributions will continue to benefit AsyncAPI and its community for years to come.
Thank you, Fran, for your exceptional service and leadership. Your contributions will continue to benefit AsyncAPI and its community for years to come.
How to Vote
Voting in the 2026 Governance Board election is open exclusively to TSC (Technical Steering Committee) members. Here's what you need to know:
Eligibility
You are eligible to vote if you are listed as a TSC member in the AsyncAPI community. You can verify your status by checking the MAINTAINERS.yaml and AMBASSADORS_MEMBERS.yaml files in the AsyncAPI community repository (look for isTSCMember: true). You can also see the full list of TSC members on the AsyncAPI Website.
Voting Process
The governance board elections follow a first-past-the-post voting system. Here's how it works:
- Review the candidates - Take time to learn about each nominee below and consider their vision for AsyncAPI
- Prepare your ballot - Since there are 3 positions available, select the 3 candidates you wish to support. Example:
1I vote for:
2- Candidate Y
3- Candidate R
4- Candidate V- Submit your vote - Send an email to info@asyncapi.com with the names of your 3 chosen candidates.
- Deadline - Your vote must be received no later than the 20th of July at 23:59 PM UTC.
What You Should Know
- Voting is private - Your vote will be kept confidential to ensure a fair process and respect all candidates
- Results are transparent - Only the winners and their vote counts will be made public
- You can share your choice - While voting is private, TSC members are free to share publicly who they voted for
- Candidates are informed - All candidates will know their results
Your vote is your opportunity to shape AsyncAPI's future. We encourage all eligible TSC members to participate; every voice counts!
For more detailed information about the governance process, see the AsyncAPI Governance guidelines.
Meet The Candidates
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by their first name.
Candidate A: Aayush Saini
- Location: India | IST
- Current Role: SDE 3 at Red Hat (Data and AI Organization)
- GitHub: https://github.com/AayushSaini101
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aayush-sainii
- Background: Aayush is a passionate open-source advocate and frequent speaker at major conferences including DevConf India, DevConf Europe, and FOSSASIA. Beyond his work at Red Hat, he's committed to building and nurturing the open-source community, currently leading a community of 400+ open-source enthusiasts globally.
- AsyncAPI Impact:
- CLI Maintainer & TSC Member
- Started as a contributor three years ago and rose through the ranks
- Completed AsyncAPI Mentorship in CLI Project
- Google Summer of Code Mentor for AsyncAPI
- Represented AsyncAPI at multiple major conferences (DevConf India, CNCF, FOSSASIA Summit)
- Completed LFX in Kubestellar and served as a mentor for that project
- Why Aayush is Running: "My three-year journey with AsyncAPI—from CLI contributor to TSC member—has given me a 360-degree view of our technical challenges and community needs. As a member of the Governance Board, I intend to advocate for streamlined contributor workflows and deeper integration within the broader CNCF ecosystem. I am motivated to ensure that our governance policies evolve at the same pace as our technology, maintaining the balance between rapid innovation and project stability for the enterprises that rely on us."
Candidate B: Aishat Yetunde Muibudeen (Maya)
- Location: Nigeria | GMT +1
- GitHub: https://github.com/Mayaleeeee
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aishatmuibudeen
- Background: Maya is a designer and community contributor who has been with AsyncAPI for approximately four years. Her focus has been on brand, communication, and how AsyncAPI presents itself to the world.
- AsyncAPI Impact:
- Design Lead - Shaping visual and communication experiences across the project
- Maintainer for Brand, Conference, and Website initiatives
- Social Media Coordinator - Improving AsyncAPI's engagement with the broader audience
- Code of Conduct Committee Member - Contributing to maintaining a respectful and safe environment
- Why Maya is Running: "I care about how AsyncAPI grows and how decisions are made as the community evolves. From my experience in design and on the Code of Conduct Committee, I've seen how much thoughtful structure and clear communication matter. I want to contribute by being present, asking questions when needed, and helping make sure decisions are made with both the project and the people in mind. For me, it's about helping maintain something that is fair, steady, and welcoming as it grows."
Candidate C: Azeez Elegbede (Ace)
- Location: Nigeria
- GitHub: https://github.com/aelegbede
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aelegbede
- Background: Azeez brings valuable perspectives to the AsyncAPI community with his experience and commitment to the initiative. As a member of our diverse global community, Azeez represents the international reach and collaborative spirit that defines AsyncAPI.
Candidate D: Prince Rajpoot
- Location: India | GMT +5:30
- Current Role: SDE at WatchGuard
- GitHub: https://github.com/princerajpoot20
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/princerajpoot
- Background: Prince joined AsyncAPI during his second year of college in April 2023 and has become one of our most dedicated contributors. He was selected as a mentee in the AsyncAPI Mentorship Program 2023 and successfully completed it, eventually taking on significant responsibilities within the project.
- AsyncAPI Impact:
- Maintainer & TSC Member (since November 30, 2023)
- Maintains the AsyncAPI Studio
- Recently improved website repository health by organizing biweekly triage meetings and introducing a dedicated project board
- Contributing to 2026 goals including newsletter migration and auditing/improving the health of all 49 repositories
- Stepping in wherever help is needed to support community growth
- Why Prince is Running: "I joined this community during my early college days when I was a newbie. As I started contributing, I had great mentors who helped me even with the smallest doubts. I've learned a lot from this community and want to help it grow even further—whether by helping contributors, supporting community members, attracting sponsors, or making the community more sustainable. I feel it is my responsibility to give back to the community as much as I can."
Get Involved
Whether you're voting, volunteering, or contributing in other ways, now is the perfect time to get more involved in the AsyncAPI community. Our candidates are passionate about creating an environment where every contributor feels valued and heard.
Thank you to all our candidates for stepping forward to serve the community. Your dedication to AsyncAPI inspires us all.
Questions? Reach out to the Governance Board at info@asyncapi.com.
The AsyncAPI Initiative celebrates its commitment to community-driven governance. Together, we're building the future of event-driven architecture.