BREAKING NEWS! ICANN board names Lindqvist, next President/CEO - ITREALMS

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The Board of Directors of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has named Kurt Erik “Kurtis” Lindqvist as the incoming ICANN President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), reports ITREALMS.

Disclosing this at the Terrace of Kigali Convention Centre on Monday evening, the Chair, ICANN Board of Directors, Tripti Sinha, said Lindqvist will officially assume the role on December 5, 2024.
She also noted that Lindqvist, is an industry leader who brings more than 30 years of experience in the business development of Internet Service Providers and worldwide network carriers, and deep experience in the ICANN community.

“I am delighted to welcome Kurtis to ICANN,” Sinha said, stressing that “He is a well-respected, transformational leader who will propel ICANN into the future by evolving the organization, building even stronger partnerships within our industry, and championing ICANN’s critical role in the multistakeholder model of Internet governance on the global stage.”

ITREALMS gathered that Lindqvist has served as CEO of the London Internet Exchange (LINX) since 2019 and has impressive track record includes serving as CEO of Netnod, where advised governments on Internet governance, data retention and broadband policy.

Equally, ITREALMS gathered that Lindqvist has been an active member of the Internet community for more than 20 years, serving on the Internet Architecture Board and as working group chair in RIPE and the Internet Engineering Task Force.

Sinha further said that “Kurtis’ vision, values and commitment to preserving a single, globally interoperable Internet align extraordinarily well with ICANN’s goals and strategic plans. His extensive industry experience, as well as his exceptional leadership, political and technical skills will enable him to successfully collaborate with the staff, Board and ICANN community to fulfil ICANN’s mission.”

In a related press statement from ICANN, Kurtis was quoted as saying “I am thrilled to join ICANN at this pivotal time,” said Lindqvist. “From the open architecture to the multistakeholder governance model, the Internet has enabled innovation and transformation of entire industries. Protecting and evolving this is something I care deeply about. ICANN, as part of the ecosystem, is at the core of the success of this model, together with the technologies that enable it. I look forward to working with staff and the Board to deliver on ICANN’s mission.”

Meanwhile, Sinha said that Sally Costerton will continue to serve as the interim President and CEO until Lindqvist takes over in December.

“Sally has provided leadership and continuity when we needed it most and ensured that we continued to deliver on our strategic initiatives,” said Sinha “We are grateful to Sally and look forward to her continued contributions,” she said.

Lindqvist’s’ appointment concludes an extensive process that began with the establishment of a CEO Search Committee. The Committee conducted a global search resulting in a diverse and rich pool of 100 candidates representing more than 20 countries across North and South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australasia. From this pool, 15 individuals were identified as part of a long list (four women and 11 men). Further evaluation resulted in a short list of seven individuals (three women and four men) who were interviewed by the CEO Search Committee. The Committee then narrowed the candidates to three finalists, two of whom the full Board interviewed. The Board unanimously selected Lindqvist during its meeting on June 8, 2024.

In addition, Sinha expressed her appreciation to the entire CEO Search Committee for their diligence and dedication, and to Committee Chair, Chris Chapman, for his leadership through the extensive and thorough search process that included unprecedented communitywide and stakeholder listening sessions prior to launching the search.

Lindqvist will continue to serve in his position at LINX until a successor is selected. When he assumes his new position on December 5, he will work closely with the Board and ICANN’s executive team to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Lindqvist will be based in ICANN’s Geneva, Switzerland office and will spend significant time in ICANN’s Los Angeles, California headquarters.

ITREALMS recalls that ICANN established in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants the world over has the mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world.

Remmy Nweke reporting from Rwandan capital, Kigali.

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