Jim Schild, founder and head of community at the North American DevOps Group (NADOG), discusses the journey of building a DevOps community from the ground up. Originally an English literature major with aspirations of teaching, Jim found himself in the tech industry, eventually immersing himself in the DevOps space. In 2015, he launched NADOG as a grassroots initiative to foster real connections within the DevOps community. The group has since grown into a key player in North America, emphasizing peer-led knowledge sharing and local networking over traditional marketing-driven events. Jim shares how the community adapted through the pandemic, transitioned back to in-person events, and continues expanding across major cities.

Jim also touches on the evolving definition of DevOps, the rise of platform engineering, and how marketing hype has shaped industry perceptions. Jim reflects on the challenges of maintaining a thriving community, the importance of authenticity in engagement, and his commitment to keeping NADOG a space for real practitioners. Looking ahead, he highlights upcoming events and potential expansion into South Florida, inviting IT leaders and practitioners to get involved.