dbt Champions: What we learned from founding members

dbt’s inaugural Champions program recognizes community members who share knowledge, support peers, and create resources for analytics engineers, with its first cohort of 30 members demonstrating how encouragement can turn small contributions into broader community impact. Over six months, Champions launched 20 optional “Big Projects,” including tools and open-source resources for EBT-accessible food stores, subscription revenue modeling, and trustworthy AI analytics agents built on governed dbt foundations. Participants also formed strong professional and personal connections through online collaboration and an in-person gathering at dbt Summit 2026, gaining confidence by learning and contributing publicly. Reflecting on the program, the author emphasizes that community growth often begins with practical help, recognition, and encouragement rather than polished expertise, and announces that applications and nominations for the 2027 cohort are open through November 13, 2026.

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