[Washington, DC and Geneva, Switzerland] – The Internet Society is pleased to announce that Sally S. Wentworth has been promoted to the position of Vice President for Global Policy Development. Ms. Wentworth succeeds Markus Kummer, Senior Vice President. Mr. Kummer will remain available until his announced departure in September to advise the Internet Society on public policy matters, even as he devotes much of his time to the upcoming Internet Governance Forum.
Ms. Wentworth will lead the organization’s public policy activities, guiding the development of public policies that support the global, open Internet and the principles that underpin it. Her new position is effective immediately, and she will be based in the Reston, Virginia office of the Internet Society.
As a member of the Executive Team, Ms. Wentworth will be responsible for ensuring that the Internet Society’s global public policy development is informed by regional insights, grounded from a technical perspective and communicated effectively around the world. In collaboration with the organization’s Chapters, members and partners, she will work to solidify the mission and principles of the Internet Society at the global level.
Ms. Wentworth is a well-known and respected expert around the world on Internet technical and public policy issues. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in building coalitions within the Internet community and among developed and developing countries on Internet public policy issues to promote a multistakeholder approach to Information and Communications Technology for development. She has been a senior member of the Internet Society and its Public Policy team since 2009.
Before joining the Internet Society, Ms. Wentworth was the Assistant Director for Telecommunications and Information Policy in the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House and served as a principal policy advisor on Internet policy issues at the U.S. Department of State. She brings to this position both a strong substantive understanding of the policies that support, preserve and advance an Internet that is global, resilient, trusted and vibrant, as well as a deep understanding of the global context in which Internet policy is developed.
“Sally has been at the forefront of the Internet Society’s excellent policy analysis and development for many years and is known for her solid judgment in advocating for policy that advances the core principles of the technical community while integrating the needs of users and civil and human rights advocates,” said Internet Society President and CEO Kathy Brown. “Sally has distinguished herself in the field and is well positioned to lead our very accomplished policy team through a complex era of evolving public policy considerations. She brings further strength to our outstanding Executive Team, and we welcome her in her new role with great enthusiasm.”
“I’m honored to join the Executive Team of the Internet Society, particularly at this point in the Internet’s development, where technology and policy are increasingly intertwined,” said Ms. Wentworth. “Local, regional and global public policies may very well determine whether the Internet remains a global platform for free expression and innovation. The Internet Society’s strength is drawn from its global community of members who share a passion for the Internet and an unwavering commitment to the vision that the Internet is for everyone. I’m especially proud to lead a group of strong and dedicated professionals who work to shape a policy environment that enables Internet growth and is consistent with the values that have contributed to its success. I’m very fortunate to assume this responsibility on the solid foundation of expertise and leadership that has been created in the Public Policy group over the past several years.”
About the Internet Society
The Internet Society (www.internetsociety.org) is the trusted independent source for Internet information and thought leadership around the world. It is also the organizational home for the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). With its principled vision, substantial technological foundation and its global presence the Internet Society promotes open dialogue on Internet policy, technology, and future development among users, companies, governments, and other organizations. Working with its members and Chapters around the world, the Internet Society enables the continued evolution and growth of the Internet for everyone.
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