ICANN Names New Ombuds

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announces that the ICANN Board of Directors has selected Elizabeth Field as its next Ombuds. Field's appointment comes after an extensive international search to replace Herb Waye, who acted as Adjunct Ombuds for more than a decade before serving as Ombuds from 2016 to 2023.

"The Board and I are pleased to welcome Liz to ICANN," said Board Chair Tripti Sinha. "The Ombuds is a critical accountability mechanism, and Liz offers in-depth experience in providing Ombuds and conflict resolution services for large, complex international organizations. Her extensive expertise serving as Ombuds in a global non-governmental organization makes her particularly well suited for the role."

Field is a highly experienced conflict and dispute resolution provider with more than 18 years of experience. She served in a similar capacity at Amnesty International for more than a decade and recently functioned as the Anti-Harassment Coordinator for the United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to work in service of ICANN's mission, and I am honored to be able to contribute to the critical work of ICANN as its Ombuds," Field said. "I look forward to building the crucial trust, respect, and relationships needed at this exciting and important time for ICANN and its stakeholders."

ICANN's search for a new Ombuds was thorough and resulted in interest from around the world. Of the position's 36 applicants, 22 men and 14 women applied, all from various regions: Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America. Eight candidates were presented to the Ombuds Search Committee, which then selected five to interview - one from Asia Pacific, one from Latin America and the Caribbean, one from North America, and two from Europe. Subsequently, two candidates were presented to the Board for an interview, from which Field ultimately was selected.

The Ombuds provides an independent, internal, and neutral evaluation of complaints by members of the ICANN community who believe that ICANN staff, Board, or community members have treated them unfairly for matters that have not otherwise become the subject of the Reconsideration Process or the Independent Review Process. The ICANN Ombuds' job is to make sure that ICANN community members are treated fairly. Acting as an impartial mediator, the Ombuds helps resolve disputes on issues involving members of the ICANN Board, staff, or other supporting organizations.

Krista Papac, ICANN Complaints Officer, has served as Interim Ombuds since October 2023. The Board extends its gratitude to Krista for taking on the position for the last 11 months in addition to her other responsibilities.

ICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address - a name or a number - into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world.