Julian Song receives the Yoast Care fund for his contribution to the WordPress community

Meet Julian Song, a valued member of the WordPress Community Team! Nasim Miah nominated him for the Yoast Care fund because of his commitment and valuable contributions. Let’s learn more about this WordPress enthusiast.

Nominator Nasim Miah: “Julian Song has been an active and influential member of the WordPress community for nearly a decade. His extensive contributions to the community include serving as an organizer for WordCamp Kuala Lumpur 2019, organizing the WordPress Meetup in Penang, and holding the prestigious role of Lead Organizer for WordCamp Malaysia 2023. Additionally, he was a consistent member of the organising team for WordCamp Asia from 2023 to 2025 and undertook the critical position of Sponsor Lead for the 2025 event. A sought-after speaker and a committed mentor, Julian has unofficially supported various WordCamps in Malaysia. His dedication to advancing the WordPress ecosystem in Southeast Asia is exemplary, making him a highly deserving nominee.”

Let’s get to know Julian Song

Those are some lovely words by Nasim. Let’s get to know Julian a bit better and ask him some questions about his work and passion for WordPress:

Julian, what do you do in the WordPress space?

I run a boutique agency called Ulement in Penang, Malaysia. We’re all about building and maintaining WordPress websites for businesses of all sizes, from SMEs to government-linked companies (GLCs) to enterprises. What sets us apart is our collaborative approach with local hosting providers, where we act as their trusted WordPress specialists, delivering comprehensive solutions for their clients. This partnership model enables us to combine our in-depth WordPress expertise with established hosting relationships, ensuring businesses receive not just great websites, but comprehensive digital ecosystems that perform reliably.

How did you first discover WordPress, and why did you start contributing?

Discovered WordPress 16+ years ago for web development. Back then, CMS options were quite similar in marketing claims. After testing several platforms, WordPress proved remarkably more straightforward to use – we’ve been WordPress-focused ever since. After receiving my Asperger’s diagnosis in my late thirties, I took a leap of faith and attended WordCamp Malaysia 2017, my very first community event. Walking into that venue, I didn’t know what to expect, but what I found was extraordinary: a welcoming community filled with like-minded individuals who understood the unique way my mind works. The connections I made and the acceptance I felt that day transformed my relationship with the WordPress community, motivating me to become an active organiser and help create that same welcoming environment for others.

Who is your WordPress hero?

Every single person in our community is a superhero, because one person doesn’t build WordPress; rather, it is the passionate contributions of people from all walks of life who believe in making the web better for everyone. We’re all heroes in our own way, whether we’re contributing code, organising events, helping newcomers, or simply sharing our knowledge – collectively lifting each other up and working toward a more inclusive, accessible digital world for all.

What’s your favorite WordPress memory or something you’re most proud of?

What I’m most proud of is successfully fundraising for WordCamp Asia 2024 & 2025. Watching the community rally together to make this event possible was incredible, but none of it would have happened without our amazing sponsors. Thank you to all the other sponsors who believed in our vision and made WordCamp Asia 2025 a reality. The fundraising wasn’t just about money. It was about building partnerships with sponsors who genuinely care about the WordPress community and creating opportunities for underrepresented voices to be heard. Thanks to these sponsors, every fundraising call became worth it when we saw the impact on the community.

Who is your WordPress mentor?

Sam Suresh provided me with opportunities and guided me through my WordPress community journey over the years. His guidance shaped my approach to community organizing and showed me the importance of creating welcoming spaces for others.
Thank you, Sam, for believing in me and for being the mentor who transformed my relationship with WordPress from a professional tool to a passionate calling.

Where can people connect with you? Online, at WordCamps, or other meetups?

You can find me hosting monthly online WordPress meetups and attending WordCamps wherever possible. I’m also active on Facebook and LinkedIn, don’t hesitate to reach out and connect.

Thank you for this interview, Julian, and for all your contributions to the WordPress community! Do you know someone like Julian Song who also deserves to be in the spotlight? Go to our Yoast Care page and nominate them right away.