ICANN’s Board of Directors has appointed Kurt Erik “Kurtis” Lindqvist as the new President and CEO. Lindqvist’s extensive industry experience will lead ICANN into a new era of innovation and partnership.

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Introduction

Los Angeles: The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Board of Directors has made a significant announcement, appointing Kurt Erik “Kurtis” Lindqvist as the next ICANN President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Lindqvist, an industry leader with over 30 years of experience in business development for Internet Service Providers and global network carriers, will officially assume his new role on December 5, 2024.

His extensive experience within the ICANN community and beyond positions him as a transformational leader ready to propel ICANN into the future.

A Visionary Leader for ICANN

Tripti Sinha, Chair of the ICANN Board of Directors, expressed her enthusiasm for Lindqvist’s appointment, stating:

“I am delighted to welcome Kurtis to ICANN. 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.”

Lindqvist’s impressive track record includes serving as CEO of the London Internet Exchange (LINX) since 2019 and previously as CEO of Netnod.

His extensive experience advising governments on Internet governance, data retention, and broadband policy further solidifies his qualifications for this pivotal role.

He has been an active member of the Internet community for over 20 years, serving on the Internet Architecture Board and as a working group chair in RIPE and the Internet Engineering Task Force.

Commitment to ICANN’s Mission

Sinha emphasized Lindqvist’s alignment with ICANN’s goals and strategic plans:

“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, exceptional leadership, and political and technical skills will enable him to successfully collaborate with the staff, Board, and ICANN community to fulfill ICANN’s mission.”

Lindqvist expressed his excitement about the new role:

“I am thrilled to join ICANN at this pivotal time. 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.”

Transition and Future Plans

Sally Costerton will continue to serve as Interim President and CEO until Lindqvist takes over in December.

Sinha acknowledged Costerton’s leadership, stating:

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

Lindqvist’s appointment concludes an extensive selection process.

The CEO Search 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 shortlisted, and further evaluation led to seven final candidates.

The Board ultimately selected Lindqvist unanimously during its June 8, 2024 meeting.

CEO Selection Process Overview

Stage	Details
Initial Candidate Pool	100 candidates from over 20 countries
Long List	15 candidates (4 women, 11 men)
Short List	7 candidates (3 women, 4 men)
Finalists	3 candidates interviewed by the full Board
Board Selection	Unanimous decision to appoint Kurt Erik “Kurtis” Lindqvist as CEO

About ICANN

ICANN aims to ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet.

Unique addresses, either names or numbers, are essential to connect with others on the Internet.

ICANN coordinates these unique identifiers worldwide, ensuring the seamless functioning of the Internet.

Established in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation, ICANN has a diverse community of global participants dedicated to maintaining the Internet’s stability and security.

Lindqvist will be based in ICANN’s Geneva, Switzerland office and will spend significant time in ICANN’s Los Angeles, California headquarters, ensuring a smooth transition and strong leadership presence across key locations.

By appointing Kurt Erik “Kurtis” Lindqvist as the new CEO, ICANN is set to embark on a new era of innovation, partnership, and steadfast commitment to its mission of supporting a secure and unified global Internet.