Merge pull request #8599 from xmudrii/candidate-xmudrii-2025

steering/2025: add candidate bio for xmudrii

Author: k8s-ci-robot

elections/steering/2025/candidate-xmudrii.md

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+-------------------------------------------------------------
+name: Marko Mudrinić
+ID: xmudrii
+info:
+  - employer: Kubermatic
+  - slack: xmudrii
+-------------------------------------------------------------
+
+## SIGS
+
+- SIG Release (Release Engineering Subproject Lead and Release Manager)
+- SIG K8s Infra (Tech Lead)
+
+## What I have done
+
+I started contributing to Kubernetes in 2018 through a Google Summer of Code internship, where I worked with SIG API Machinery on improving aggregated API servers and CRDs. Shortly after, I began my journey with SIG Release. I have worked on important features and releases, mentored new Release Managers and SIG Release contributors, coordinated cross-SIG efforts, and much more. This led me to become a Release Manager and later a Subproject Lead for Release Engineering.
+
+In the meantime, I joined SIG K8s Infra to help optimize the Kubernetes infrastructure and cloud spending. My key achievements include building a new community-owned infrastructure for hosting and serving Debian and RPM packages, as well as being part of the team that built an AWS-based CI cluster and moved many jobs to it.
+
+I got several community awards, including a [Lift and Shift award from CNCF](https://www.cncf.io/announcements/2024/11/14/cloud-native-computing-foundation-announces-the-2024-community-awards-winners/) and four [Kubernetes Contributor awards](https://www.kubernetes.dev/community/awards/) (2024, two in 2023, and 2022).
+
+I've also been a [CNCF Ambassador](https://www.cncf.io/people/ambassadors/) since November 2023.
+
+## What I'll do
+
+Many open source projects are going through a hard time, including Kubernetes and its community. As a Steering Committee member, I would advocate for prioritizing efforts to mitigate the effects of that. The Steering Committee cannot fix technical problems, but it can support people and ensure the wellbeing of the project.
+
+I would especially stand for more support for SIGs by providing a clear set of guidelines with a focus on attracting new and retaining existing contributors, strengthening inclusivity, and further improving and documenting the contributor ladder. Besides that, I would especially stand for resolving one of the longest standing problems — having proper recognition for all the hard work done by our community members. The Kubernetes project can only succeed with a healthy community, where everyone can join, be welcomed, and feel valued.
+
+## Resources About Me
+
+- [GitHub](https://github.com/xmudrii)
+- [LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/xmudrii/)
+- [Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/xmudrii.bsky.social)
+- [X (Twitter)](https://twitter.com/xmudrii)
+- [Talks playlist on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvNBqHHXyMOBufmiuBrIQvtgOp3smF1Jx)
+- My publications on kubernetes.io
+  - [pkgs.k8s.io: Introducing Kubernetes Community-Owned Package Repositories](https://kubernetes.io/blog/2023/08/15/pkgs-k8s-io-introduction/)
+  - [Kubernetes Legacy Package Repositories Will Be Frozen On September 13, 2023](https://kubernetes.io/blog/2023/08/31/legacy-package-repository-deprecation/)