Janna Loeffler
ABOUT ME:
I am honored to stand as a candidate for the AST Board, bringing over two decades of experience in software quality and testing leadership. Currently, I serve as Director of Quality Engineering at The Walt Disney Company in Orlando, FL, where I’ve spent the past 7 years guiding teams in developing and supporting highly reliable systems.
Throughout my career, I have worked in development, quality engineering, and DevOps across diverse industries including industrial controls, embedded medical devices, and globally recognized entertainment platforms. These roles have strengthened my belief in the value of efficient, inclusive quality practices and the importance of mentorship at every stage of a tester’s journey.
A personal passion of mine is exploring artificial intelligence in software testing. I am deeply interested in how AI and machine learning are transforming our industry—enhancing problem-solving, improving test coverage, and creating new ways for teams to collaborate. I have led and contributed to projects at Disney exploring the responsible integration of these technologies into our quality processes.
If elected, I am committed to championing AST’s mission by expanding access to education, supporting mentorship initiatives, and guiding our community through rapid technological change. I want to ensure that our industry remains innovative, welcoming, and properly equipped to meet the challenges ahead.
Thank you for considering my candidacy. I look forward to working together to shape the future of software testing.
WHY QUALITY? In 2 paragraphs give us an overview of your philosophy on Quality and how you approach testing in support of achieving quality outcomes… Please provide (non-confidential) real world examples:
"Quality is fundamentally about delivering value to the customer—every decision and process should ultimately enhance the experience for those who use our products. It is not the responsibility of a single team; rather, quality is an organizational commitment owned by everyone involved in the software development lifecycle. There is no single, universal solution; achieving quality requires a layered approach, with each layer—from requirements to deployment—serving a unique and essential function. Moreover, quality extends beyond testing; it encompasses the entire SDLC, including adherence to standards, operational excellence, and continuous improvement in all areas related to delivering software products. Above all, quality should be approached with pragmatism rather than dogma, allowing teams the flexibility to adapt and consistently strive for better outcomes.
To support this philosophy, I have established my teams with a “quality as a service” model. By embedding subject matter experts within different teams, we help elevate processes, assist with developing comprehensive test strategies, and provide expert support in both testing and automation. Our team members bring diverse areas of expertise, ensuring we can address a wide variety of quality challenges across the organization. Even though individuals may focus on different projects, we come together as a unified team to share knowledge, collaborate on solutions, and support one another. This collaborative, service-oriented approach drives consistency, enhances operational excellence, and helps foster a culture where quality is truly seen as everyone’s responsibility."
This board role will require 10 - 20 hours per month of often self driven activities and the ideal candidate is someone who is willing to own an initiative and drive it through to completion... Is this something you are willing to commit to, and in your most honest moment, what will keep you motivated when the work gets hard and progress feels slow?
"Yes.
What will keep me motivated, especially during challenging or slow periods, is my genuine belief in the value AST brings to the community. I am passionate about helping others grow in their testing careers and making the field more accessible and inclusive for everyone. Seeing the real impact that our work can have on people’s professional lives, and collaborating with like-minded peers who are equally dedicated, will keep me focused and energized—even when challenges arise."
It's 2030. AST just won 'Global Nonprofit of the Year' for transforming testing careers worldwide. What three bold moves did we make between 2025-2030 that nobody saw coming?
Follow-up: Which of these moves would you personally champion, and how would you convince skeptics on the board?
"Launched a Global Distributed Conference Model:
AST revolutionized industry events by moving beyond a single annual conference (CAST) and launching an interconnected network of regional micro-conferences and virtual summits. This made high-quality training and networking accessible everywhere, regardless of geography or finances, and helped local communities flourish.
Built an AI-Powered Mentoring Platform:
AST became the first testing nonprofit to pair members using a smart, AI-driven platform that matched mentors and mentees by skill, industry, location, and learning style. This dramatically increased engagement and accelerated global skills transfer, with micro-mentorships, group sessions, and career coaching available on demand."
What's one thing AST is doing right now that we should stop doing immediately, even if it's popular? And what's one bold experiment we should try, even if it might fail spectacularly?
"One thing I believe AST should reconsider is focusing so much energy and resources on CAST as the primary event and touchpoint for the community. While CAST and other in-person events are highly valued and create meaningful connections, this emphasis can inadvertently exclude talented testers who are unable to travel due to financial, geographic, or personal constraints. Even though this model is popular with those who are able to attend, I believe it’s essential for AST to adopt a more balanced approach—one that brings the AST experience, particularly its rich networking and training opportunities, to a broader, more diverse audience. Additionally, I feel there’s a need for greater visibility into all AST offerings so that every member understands the full value of their membership.
I would like to see AST experiment with launching a global, year-round “micro-mentorship” platform. Imagine a program where any member could sign up, at any time, to be matched with a mentor or mentee for a focused, short-term engagement—perhaps 4-6 weeks—centered around a single skill or challenge. The goal would be to make mentoring more accessible, less intimidating, and more responsive to members’ immediate needs. This could also break down barriers between experienced and aspiring testers from all over the world. While it would be a significant organizational effort and the format might need refining over time, I believe this kind of bold step could dramatically expand the community’s reach and real-world impact."
What is your history with AST? Describe why you are interested in serving on the AST Board and what personal / professional strengths make you an ideal board member for the organization?
Follow Up: Are there any particular initiatives or areas you are especially interested in driving / leading?
"I have been a long-time follower of AST and have greatly valued the organization’s role in advancing the practice of software testing. While I have not been as active in the community as I would have liked and have not yet had the opportunity to attend CAST due to financial constraints, my engagement from the sidelines has provided me with valuable insight into how AST operates and evolves. Observing the community, I have benefitted from the thought leadership of many experts who are or have been involved with AST, and these experiences have broadened my understanding significantly.
Now, I feel ready and equipped to contribute in a more active capacity. Over the years, I have built a career working across diverse industries, which has exposed me to a variety of testing challenges and strategies. This breadth of experience enables me to offer a unique perspective to the board, especially as testing continues to evolve in scope and complexity. Additionally, I am passionate about mentoring and knowledge sharing, and I consider myself a collaborative team player who values inclusivity and learning from differing viewpoints.
Serving on the AST Board would allow me to give back to the community that has supported my professional growth, while using my diverse experiences to help address challenges, drive meaningful change, and mentor others within the organization.
I am particularly interested in driving initiatives around training, mentoring, and strengthening engagement with AST’s annual conference, CAST. I believe that expanding access to high-quality educational experiences and fostering mentoring relationships are vital for both newcomers and seasoned professionals in our field. Additionally, I would like to explore new ways to help more members participate in CAST, whether by increasing accessibility or creating additional opportunities for involvement.
My aim is to help foster a supportive environment where every member feels empowered to grow, share, and contribute—regardless of their background or experience level. By focusing on training, mentoring, and connecting more members to CAST, AST can continue to strengthen its professional community and global impact"
When you step down from this board, what do you want your Wikipedia entry to say about your contribution to AST and the testing profession? What impact are you personally committed to creating?
"When I step down from the board, I would hope my Wikipedia entry reflects that I was a catalyst for expanding access, inclusivity, and mentorship within AST and the broader testing profession. I want it to say that I championed initiatives that broke down barriers—making professional development, networking, and high-quality training accessible to testers everywhere, regardless of geography or background.
Specifically, I’d like to be known for fostering a culture of mentorship, launching programs that empowered new voices, and helping AST reach and support communities that had previously been underrepresented. I am personally committed to building pathways for others, so that aspiring testers around the world feel welcomed, equipped, and inspired to advance their careers through AST.
Ultimately, I want my impact to be measured in lives changed—by creating a more open, supportive, and dynamic testing community that continues to thrive and evolve long after my board tenure concludes."
You're on a board committee with members from Japan, Brazil, Nigeria, Germany, and the US. The group is stuck on a decision because cultural communication styles are clashing and creating misunderstandings. What is your strategy for facilitating breakthrough and building genuine consensus?
Follow-up: Provide an example of how you've successfully worked across significant cultural or professional differences.
"When working with a culturally diverse committee, my approach is to foster open communication, clarify preferences, and encourage active listening to bridge differences—just as I did while collaborating with testers in India and South America. In that project, we faced challenges handing off work—sometimes running or updating each other’s automation scripts without firsthand knowledge. Since we were all accountable for the results, we developed a standardized process and documentation template, improved our communication skills, and implemented a shared source code repository with peer reviews and open comments. These steps not only facilitated collaboration and understanding across cultures but also ensured transparency and consistency, leading to stronger teamwork and successful outcomes."