From my perspective, CIRA is more than the organization that manages the .CA domain. It is the steward of Canada’s digital identity, ensuring that our internet infrastructure is secure, accessible, and aligned with Canadian values.

CIRA matters because the internet is now central to every part of life. Small businesses rely on it to grow, nonprofits depend on it to serve their communities, and citizens need it to access critical services. By managing .CA and providing related services, CIRA ensures that Canadians have a trusted digital home.

But its role goes beyond domains. CIRA invests in digital equity through community projects, supports cybersecurity tools that protect Canadians, and advocates for policies that keep our internet open and fair. These responsibilities connect directly to the three areas I care about most: relevance, equity, and advocacy. Relevance means keeping .CA meaningful in a world with many competing options. Equity means ensuring that rural, northern, and underserved communities are not left behind. Advocacy means standing up for Canadians in global digital spaces where our interests are too often overlooked.

In short, CIRA matters because it protects both the infrastructure and the values that underpin Canada’s digital future.

I want to serve on CIRA’s Board of Directors because I believe in strengthening Canada’s internet through relevance, equity, and advocacy. These are the three areas where I know I can make a meaningful contribution.

My career has combined technology, nonprofit leadership, and education for more than 25 years. I have co-owned a development firm, managed government-funded technology projects with multimillion-dollar budgets, and served as Interim Executive Director for a literacy society. Across these roles, I have balanced technical strategy with community impact, financial oversight, and mentoring.

Board and governance experience has been a steady thread in my work. I have served as Vice-Chair of a regional tourism advisory committee, Director of a community arts council, and advisor on multiple education and mentorship programs. These experiences taught me the importance of collaborative decision-making, accountability, and keeping the community at the center of governance.

On CIRA’s Board, I would bring both technical and nonprofit perspectives. I understand how smaller organizations, rural communities, and everyday Canadians experience digital challenges, and I have spent much of my career helping people navigate those barriers. My focus would be on ensuring that .CA remains relevant in a changing internet, that equity is built into CIRA’s programs, and that Canada’s voice is strongly represented in global digital discussions.

From my perspective, the top three challenges and opportunities facing CIRA in the next three to five years are remaining relevant, advancing digital equity, and strengthening advocacy in internet governance.

Remaining Relevant: With so many alternative domains and platforms, CIRA must ensure that .CA continues to stand out as a trusted and secure choice. This is both a challenge and an opportunity to reinforce Canadian digital identity. My experience in technology, entrepreneurship, and education gives me insight into how individuals and organizations make choices about their online presence, and how to communicate the value of .CA.

Digital Equity: Access to reliable and affordable internet remains uneven across Canada, especially in rural and underserved areas. CIRA has an opportunity to continue closing that gap by funding community projects and supporting digital literacy. My nonprofit leadership and community engagement work has always focused on helping smaller organizations and individuals build capacity with technology, which I would bring to the board.

Advocacy and Governance: Canada’s interests are often overshadowed by global platforms and policies, from social media companies limiting access to news, to creators being excluded from international programs. CIRA can be a stronger advocate for Canadian voices in these discussions. My board and governance experience, combined with a career of supporting those who are often left behind in digital change, positions me to contribute to this work.

Together, these challenges are opportunities for CIRA to lead with relevance, equity, and advocacy.