[Themaintainers] Where We’re Going… A New Network-led Chapter!

[Lauren Dapena Fraiz]

*For the website version of this announcement, as well as to see the lovely
faces of the Steering Committee members, please visit
her https://themaintainers.org/network-led/
<https://themaintainers.org/network-led/> *

Dear Maintainers' community,

We’re delighted to officially introduce you to the 2025–26 Interim
Maintainers Steering Committee. This is a group of thoughtful, experienced,
and passionate individuals stepping into a shared leadership role for the
next phase of The Maintainers starting August 1st, 2025.

We intentionally convened this group, bringing together voices from the
early conference days to the more recent Movement Fellows. Together, they
combine localized practice with international frameworks. And, believe it
or not, are *also* big fans and champions of maintenance, repair, and care
in all forms.
*Please join us in warmly welcoming:**Himani Kulkarni, Sam Bennett, Mathew
Lubari, Nathan Proctor, Purna Sarkar!*

These leaders bring a rich diversity, unique perspectives, and dedication
to maintaining thinking and action. They represent a beautiful
cross-section of the broader Maintainers ethos – from community organizing
to policy, from repair cafes to care infrastructures. They bridge both
global and hyperlocal contexts. They are academics *and *practitioners,
collectively embodying the heart of this network.
*A new model of governance*

Over the past year, we’ve worked closely with this group to transition into
a *distributed leadership model* – one deeply rooted in our community’s
long-term vision, which we spoke to in our previous communication
<https://themaintainers.org/into-a-network-led-chapter/> on closing our
current grant chapter and transition leadership.

This distributed leadership model is inspired by frameworks like the *Exit
to Community* (co-developed by MEDLab at the University of Colorado in
Boulder) but customized to reflect the specific context and history of The
Maintainers. Over the past five years, the project has evolved from a group
of conveners to a more centralized structure with co-directors and now into
a distributed model of network stewardship.
*What to expect next…*

Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of collaborating closely with
these folks as we shaped the transition to a distributed leadership. This
approach is our way of enacting a long-held vision: that The Maintainers be
co-governed and held by a rotating body of caretakers who bring fresh
energy, curiosity, and commitment to expand and further amplify this
evolving body of work. Our hope is that a shared leadership model will
provide a broader scope for maintenance projects at The Maintainers over
time.

Soon, you’ll hear directly from them through their reflections,
invitations, and updates. We know you’ll greet them with the same curiosity
and camaraderie that has defined this network from the beginning.

We’re excited to see where this next chapter takes all of us!

With gratitude,

Lauren, Liliana, Himani, Mathew, Nathan, Purna, and Sam





-- 
*Lauren Dapena Fraiz*
*Director of Research and Programs*
*The Maintainers <https://themaintainers.org/>*
Pronouns: she/her
Twitter <https://twitter.com/the_maintainers> | Instagram
<https://www.instagram.com/themaintainersnetwork/> | Connect
<https://themaintainers.org/connect/> |
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