Dear Internet Society community,
I am happy to announce that the Internet Society Board of Trustees has selected Sally Wentworth, current Managing Director, to become CEO of the Internet Society and Internet Society Foundation effective 1 September 2024.
Sally joined the Internet Society in 2009 after successfully holding
positions in the U.S. State Department and the White House. Over the
past 15 years, she has been a passionate leader and advocate of our
mission. Most recently, as the Internet Society’s Managing Director,
Sally has been responsible for ensuring that the Internet Society is a
strong and effective voice for an open, globally connected, secure, and
trustworthy Internet. At a time when the Internet is being used to
distribute disinformation and sow dissension, and its very capacity to
create community is under threat, Sally truly understands the critical
role of our global community in advancing our mission and is dedicated
to engaging with you and fostering meaningful dialogue to defend and
advocate for the globally
connected Internet as a resource for humanity.
Andrew Sullivan will continue to serve as CEO through 31 August 2024,
and will be available for consultations as an external advisor to Sally
over the first six months of her CEO tenure to help ensure a smooth
transition. We extend our deepest gratitude to Andrew for all he has
accomplished during his time as CEO. We are immensely grateful for his
steadfast direction, fierce passion for the Internet as a resource for
good in the world, the Internet Society’s mission, and his unparalleled
intellectual leadership. His work has firmly positioned the organization
to continue to carry out our mission more efficiently and effectively.
Today’s announcement concludes a thorough evaluation to identify a
leader who would maintain continuity to ensure a smooth transition and
adeptly steward the Internet Society’s resources. I want to thank the
CEO Succession Committee of the Board of Trustees for conducting a
deliberate, thoughtful, and impartial process.
The Board has great confidence in Sally’s understanding of the
challenges the Internet faces around the globe and her experience,
vision, and unwavering commitment to our organization. Sally’s
admiration and respect for the Internet Society community dates back to
her earliest exposure to the organization while she was in government,
and she has had the unique perspective of both observing the strength of
the Internet Society’s broader global community as well as being a key
force propelling the organization from the inside. She will continue to
engage with the entire community— including chapters, organization
members, the IETF, and beyond to seek your views and whenever possible
build consensus on critical issues. Sally looks forward to working with
you to
further advance affordable, reliable, and resilient Internet for
everyone.
This is a pivotal time for our organization. There has never been a
more critical moment to defend and advocate for the Internet. As I noted
in my recent message to you about our 2030 plan, we are in a moment
where misinformation and distrust have damaged the global perception of
the Internet. The 2030 plan sets out how we can realign our strategic
priorities in the face of a changing set of global challenges through
our shared commitment to the Internet and those who engage with it. With
Sally as our new CEO and your commitment to our mission, I know we are
well positioned for success.
Please join me in celebrating the accomplishments of Sally and Andrew,
along with our achievements as a global organization. As the Internet
Society continues to grow in impact, we are particularly grateful to all
of you – our global community whose support every day drives our shared
mission for a thriving and vibrant Internet for everyone.
For the Board,
Ted Hardie
Board Chair, Internet Society Board of Trustees
