2026 Board Elections Petition by Kevin Meynell

Election in which you wish to be considered a candidate:

Organization Members Election

Statement regarding your availability to devote appropriate time to board service:

I can confirm that I have sufficient time to devote to Board service, including attendance at meetings. My current employer is also supportive of me undertaking this role and would be flexible in providing time for this.

Statement regarding the kind of contribution you would like to make to the board:

For the 30 years I’ve been working in the Internet for Research and Education Networks (TERENA/GEANT, JANET & GLIF), APNIC (Asia-Pacific Regional Internet Registry), CENTR (European Association of ccTLD registries), the Shibboleth Consortium (Single Sign-On) and more latterly for the Internet Society. I was a co-founder and board member of the GlobalNOG Alliance; a co-founder and Steering Committee member of TF-CSIRT, the European Forum of Computer Security and Incident Response Teams; and was a co-founder of the Central Asia Peering & Interconnection Forum (CAPIF).

I also contribute to the Internet in a voluntary capacity as member of the RIPE Programme Committee and have recently been appointed as the Convenor of the ISOC UK Bylaws Committee. I was a member of the RIPE Chair Nominations Committee that recently (re-)appointed the RIPE Chair, the APRICOT Programme Committee, the ISOC UK Elections Committee, and was a Co-Chair of the RIPE CENTR Working Group. In addition, I’ve been an ISOC Individual Member, a member of ISOC UK, and a member of ISOC Netherlands for many years.

I therefore have great familiarity with working for non-profit organisations in a multi-stakeholder environment, and with the Internet governance ecosystem and the IETF. I’m experienced in identifying future directions, needs and requirements and building relationships and collaborations with stakeholders to develop and deliver new products and services (including MANRS) as well as establishing new collaborative forums. Having had responsibility for running several industry consortiums, I can also bring financial management and fundraising skills along with my technical and project management background, as well as a good understanding of corporate responsibilities and other legal considerations including Chapter 501(c)3 obligations, OFAT restrictions and US and EU export controls.

I believe I can bring excellent knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of ISOC, along with a good understanding of real-world Internet community needs that can help shape the future direction of the organisation, develop effective programmes, and continue to support the essential functions of the Internet. More generally, the Internet opened up many opportunities for me personally, and I’d like to ensure this remains the case for future generations by contributing back to the organisations that enable the Internet to remain open, globally connected, secure and trusted.

Declaration of potential conflicts of interest:

I do not have any conflicts of interest:

I have not been employed by the Internet Society since 1 December 2023, so more than one calendar year has passed.

Financial Interest – neither myself, relatives, affiliated entity including my current employer are receiving funds from ISOC or its supporting organisations, or have I or they ever received funds.

Independent Policy Views – I’m not currently working for or have a paid contract with a government or other publicly funded entity. I do not sit on a board, hold a leadership position, nor am involved in a policy or advocacy position in an organisation operating in ISOC’s area of engagement.

Chapters – I’m not nor have I ever been a member of the leadership of an ISOC Chapter.

IETF – I’m not nor have I ever been a member of the IAB and IESG.

Outside Boards – I’m not currently a member of any board of directors or trustee of any organisation, either for-profit or not-for-profit, actively engaged in Internet activities.