Sally Wentworth named President and CEO of Internet Society

• She aims to ensure that people everywhere have access to affordable, reliable, and resilient Internet.

The Internet Society, a global charitable organisation advocating for an open, globally connected, and secure Internet, announced the appointment of Sally Wentworth as the new President and CEO, effective from September 1, 2024.

She will lead both the Internet Society and the Internet Society Foundation’s efforts to ensure that people everywhere have access to affordable, reliable, and resilient Internet and an Internet experience that is secure and protects them online.

Wentworth previously served as Managing Director of the Internet Society and Vice President of Policy, where she led the Internet Society’s work in engaging with stakeholders and developing and promoting policies that support and enable an open, globally connected Internet. Sally is particularly passionate about building bridges between Internet technical experts and policymakers.

Deepening the connections

Before joining the Internet Society in 2009, Sally held positions at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as Assistant Director for Telecommunications and Information Policy, and at the US Department of State as an Economic Bureau Foreign Affairs Officer.

“I am honoured and excited to take on the CEO role at such a crucial time for the Internet. I look forward to continuing our momentum in advancing our mission to ensure that the Internet remains a powerful tool for positive change,” Sally Wentworth, President and CEO, Internet Society, said.

Sally Wentworth holds a Master’s degree in International Political Economy from Claremont Graduate University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Westmont College. She is based in Dayton, Ohio.

“In my time ahead as President and CEO, I plan to deepen the connections and engagement between and across our community. If we are to achieve our vision that the Internet is for everyone, we need to urgently join together to be the voice that the Internet needs. Governments are seeking to regulate the Internet. The digital divide is leaving people behind. Misinformation is being spread. And “the Internet” is being blamed for so many societal issues,” Sally said.

Moreover, she said that the industry needs to join together to address these global challenges, to advocate together, to promote solutions, to bring hope, and to share the stories of impact this community is having across the world.