AMP 69: Dawid Ostrowski - GDE Deep Dive, Building a Program That Developers Love

Angular Master Podcast

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Angular Master Podcast, where we explore the intersection of technology, community building, and developer relations. In this episode, I’m joined by Dawid Ostrowski, Head of Product Engagement in the Google Developer Ecosystem team, and former lead of the Google Developer Experts (GDE) program.

Don’t miss out – explore the full platform here:

https://goo.gle/google-for-developers

We go deep into the world of global developer programs and uncover the key principles behind building a community that developers not only join—but genuinely love being part of.

🔍 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How the GDE program was scaled globally across dozens of countries

• The true value proposition of developer advocacy and why it matters

• Why leaderboards, gamification, and KPIs often backfire in DevRel

• How to measure the real impact of community programs

• The importance of trust, inclusion, and long-term relationships

• How to build a strong infrastructure, legal framework, and internal support

• How to balance company goals with the needs of a developer community

• Tips for anyone looking to start or scale their own developer initiative

• Dawid’s personal insights on leadership, learning, and staying motivated in tech

🧠 Whether you’re a DevRel professional, community manager, developer advocate, or just curious how Google built one of the most impactful developer programs in the world—this episode is for you.

📍 About our guest:

Dawid Ostrowski is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and has years of experience leading developer programs at a global scale. He’s passionate about creating authentic developer experiences, promoting diversity in tech, and bridging the gap between engineering and community.

🛠️ Topics Covered:

• Developer Relations (DevRel)

• Google Developer Experts Program (GDE)

• Community Building in Tech

• Developer Ecosystem Strategy

• Developer Engagement & Advocacy

• Diversity and Inclusion in Developer Programs

• Dev Programs Infrastructure & Scalability

• Metrics and KPIs in DevRel

• Non-transactional Community Models

• Open Source Contributions & Recognition

• How to Become a GDE

• Developer Growth & Enablement

• Developer Experience (DX)