Nick Diego on WordPress DevRel, Family Roots, and Magic: The Gathering

Send us Fan MailAn unexpected conversation with a Salutatorian who was astonished to see someone pay $80,000 for a Magic card. Nick Diego, originally from Cape Cod, talks about his upbringing, including attending a small public school in Chatham, Massachusetts. Although he didn't frequently run into the Kennedys, he did see Arnold Schwarzenegger once. He was a salutatorian in high school and worked in his family's hospitality business while also excelling in soccer and baseball. For college, he attended the College of Charleston, where he pursued a major in economics and a minor in math, drawn by his interest in international relations.Nick's professional journey began in hospitality marketing and evolved to remote work, allowing him to support his wife through medical school. Eventually, his career path led him to WordPress, where he found a passion for web development and plugin creation. He has served in developer relations roles at WP Engine and now at Automattic, helping developers and businesses integrate and optimize their use of WordPress. His job involves community engagement, education, and feedback collection to improve WordPress functionality.The WordPress community has been integral to Nick's career growth. He's made notable contributions, especially in the developer relations field, and is recognized for his accessibility and willingness to assist others within the community. He has spoken at various WordPress events, including WordCamp Asia, and plans to attend future events in destinations such as Mumbai. Diego values the role of bridging the gap between developers' needs and product teams' development focuses.Beyond work, Nick and his wife maintain an active lifestyle, getting up early and spending quality time together. Despite his technical bent, Diego enjoys simpler pastimes like playing soccer, cycling, and maintaining his extensive Magic: The Gathering card collection, a hobby he shares with his brothers. His wife is a neonatal physician involved in global health, often traveling to Africa for work, a journey Diego hopes to join in the future.Nick's family is also diverse in their pursuits—his middle brother works in agricultural safety for the state of Vermont, and his younger brother is a florist in Charleston, South Carolina, organizing large, opulent weddings. Despite their varied paths, the family stays connected, often revisiting shared interests and reflecting on their unique journeys.