[Washington, DC and Geneva, Switzerland] – The Internet Society is pleased to announce that Ayesha Hassan will join the organization on May 19, 2014 in the new position of Senior Director for Stakeholder Engagement. In this role, Ms. Hassan will be responsible for optimizing the Internet Society’s relationships with key stakeholders in the future of the Internet, and facilitating their engagement to ensure an Internet that is open, global, and accessible to all and driven by multistakeholder processes. She will be based in the Internet Society’s Geneva, Switzerland office.
Ms. Hassan, who is known and respected throughout the world for her work in helping develop the multistakeholder approach to Internet policy, will bring her many talents and expertise to the work of the Internet Society. She will add important new dimensions to how the Internet Society works with Internet stakeholders and effectively pursues a trusted, resilient, and open Internet, and global accessibility to its societal and individual benefits.
“A global multistakeholder approach to Internet policy is a key tenet of the Internet Society’s mission and this position plays a crucial role in that effort,” said Kathy Brown, President and CEO of the Internet Society. “Ayesha is a gifted woman who will bring her extensive experience in Information and Communications Technology policy, her strong relationships with international Internet stakeholders, and a strategic long-term view of what will be required to ensure the future well-being of the Internet. She will be a great addition to our organization.”
Ms. Hassan has worked across the Internet community facilitating policy development and consensus building on a broad range of Internet related issues, including data protection, privacy, security, and Internet infrastructure and services. She comes to the Internet Society from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris. She was with the organization for more than 12 years, serving most recently as its Senior Policy Manager, Digital Economy and Executive in Charge of Information and Communications Technology policy. At ICC, Ms. Hassan initiated and led the BASIS initiative, Business Action to Support the Information Society, in addition to the Digital Economy Commission.
“We are delighted that Ayesha will be joining the Internet Society team,” said Walda Roseman, Chief Stakeholder and Communications Officer of the Internet Society. “Her years of experience as a leader in the evolution of multistakeholder participation in key Internet policy fora, her contributions to the development of the Internet Governance Forum, as well as her strategic perspectives will add immeasurably to our important work across the multistakeholder community to keep the Internet open, thriving, and benefitting people around the world.”
Ms. Hassan is well known in the Internet community and a veteran of the World Summits on the Information Society, where she served as an effective representative of the business community and of the multistakeholder model of Internet policy. In addition, she served on the IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group from 2006 to 2013.
She holds a Master of Arts degree in International Policy Studies from Stanford University, a JD from the University of San Diego, and Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Chicago. Ms. Hassan is a member of the State Bar of California. She is fluent in English and French.
About the Internet Society
The Internet Society (www.internetsociety.org) is the trusted independent source for Internet information and thought leadership around the world. With its principled vision and substantial technological foundation, 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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