Énoncé de candidature
My name is Darcy Smith, I am Metis and a resident of Manitoba. I hope this message finds you well.
My background as a CPA, and a designated and experienced board director, has prepared me well for the role of a Director at CIRA.
I am writing to express my gratitude for the opportunity to be nominated as a candidate for the board. It is both an honor and a privilege to have the chance to serve in this capacity. I am a strong believer in the Mandate, Mission and Values CIRA holds. If elected, I will be a progressive, passionate, dedicated board member who acts in the best interest of our organization and its stakeholders. During my career, I have demonstrated that I am an honest, dependable, ethical individual who makes informed decisions, who ensure tasks get completed and one who accepts responsibility for mistakes when made and shares credit when praise is given. These are all traits that will be valuable in this role.
Thank you for considering me for the Director role at CIRA. Your trust and support are greatly appreciated, and I am excited about the opportunity to serve.
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) is a non-profit organization that oversees and safeguards the .ca domain. It safeguards the .CA domain by using a best in class registry that it built to protect Canadian domain users. It oversees the registration and administration of domain names ending in .CA, ensuring the stable and secure operation of Canada’s internet infrastructure. CIRA’s mandate includes promoting the use of .CA domains, fostering a safe and trusted online environment, and advocating for a better internet experience for Canadians.
CIRA’s continued investment in the development of new products and services has placed it into a leadership role in protecting users across Canada. These users are spread across various businesses, schools, hospitals, government agencies and households. It helps to protect these users by providing training across the country to individuals and organizations on how to use the internet and protect themselves from cyberthreats.
It continues to invest in solutions that make the internet more accessible, resilient and better performing. It provides grants via its Net Good program to Indigenous communities, non-profit organizations, charities, universities and colleges to upgrade their infrastructure, network protection and online safety.
In summary, CIRA protects and educates Canadian internet users and their data by offering various tools and resources that promote best practices. These tools, are key to ensure the internet remains a trusted, safe and accessible resource for Canadians.
I would like to serve on the board as I strongly believe in CIRA’s mission of managing the integrity and the security of the .ca domain and advancing internet infrastructure in Canada. I would advocate for underserved communities to ensure CIRA continues to address their needs. As well help to ensure all Canadians will have equal access to the internet and the benefits it provides.
I am an Indigenous CPA, CMA who has held senior executive leadership roles for the past twenty-five years in the for profit and non-profit sector. The last twelve years as the CFO of Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) an organization that heavily relies on broadband technology to get its product to viewers across Canada.
As a certified board director via the Institute of Corporate Directors. My experience serving on boards includes both the profit and the non-profit sectors. In these roles, I have sat on various committees including Audit, Risk, Compensation and Benefits. Based on my experience as a Financial leader and a Board member,
I have demonstrated experience in providing the oversight required from both a financial and governance perspective. I have in depth experience in strategic planning, demonstrated community engagement by volunteering for the provincial strategic leadership committee for the CNIB and various Indigenous organizations. All of these experiences and my training will help to ensure that in my role as a board member for CIRA, I make informed decisions that best serve CIRA stakeholders and ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization.
The top 3 challenges facing CIRA are
1) Cybersecurity More effective and ever increasing cyber attacks.
2) Market Competition: The challenge is maintaining its relevance and value in a crowded marketplace.
3) Governance of AI and Technological Advancements: The challenge being able to adapt to ensure this technology is used with the best interests our stakeholders in mind.
The top 3 opportunities are:
1) Digital Expansion: CIRA expands its domain registration services and offer value-added solutions tailored to the evolving needs of Canadian businesses and individuals.
2) Community Engagement: Strengthening ties with the internet community through outreach, partnerships, and educational initiatives can enhance our reputation and foster a sense of trust and collaboration.
3) Innovation and Diversification: Investing in research and development to innovate new products and services, These offerings will create new revenue streams and differentiate CIRA in the market.
I would recommend the following approach:
1) Continually promote that CIRA is a made in Canada provider and relates well to the challenges the Canadian marketplace faces.
2) Prioritize user experiences, streamline the registration processes, responsive customer support, training programs, pricing is easy to understand and fair..
3) Foster a culture of innovation as employees explore new ideas, collaborate with industry partners, and experiment with emerging technologies.
4) Engage with stakeholders to better understand their needs and issues, help develop and implement solutions that benefit our stakeholders and the community.
5) Explore other opportunities, offering value-added services, partnering with domain resellers, CIRA’s expertise in internet governance and cybersecurity consulting.