The state of affairs at IGF-USA 2022

John Perrino is a policy analyst at the Stanford Internet Observatory where he translates research and builds policy engagement for online trust, safety and security issues. He most recently was a director at the Glen Echo Group where he led and produced award-winning public affairs work for cybersecurity and privacy clients. Perrino began his career working on internet policy as a communications fellow at the Internet Education Foundation, helping organize and promote Capitol Hill briefings and the annual State of the Net conference. He serves as co-chair of the National Press Club Communicators Team and earned an MPA from the George Washington University.

Naela Sarras is the Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement in North America. In this role, she facilitates collaboration between stakeholders in the region, including ICANN-accredited registries and registrars, established civil society organizations, and members of the technical community who participate in Internet standards organizations and develop Internet policy. She works closely with other ICANN organization teams to build and diversify ICANN’s multistakeholder base across North America. Previously, Naela was the Director of IANA Operations, overseeing many of the most important technical functions that ICANN facilitates. A highly respected member of ICANN’s technical community, Naela has been with ICANN since 2005 and involved in many of ICANN’s technical milestones, such as the IANA Stewardship Transition. She has been a key partner in the Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) program, which is helping build a multilingual Internet for the next generation of Internet users across the globe. Fluent in English and Arabic, Naela has a degree in Computer Information Systems and Business Administration. She is based in Los Angeles.

Shane Tews is a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where she focuses on cybersecurity issues, including privacy and data protection, next-generation networking (5G), the Internet of Things, international internet governance, digital economic policy, information and communications technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and the metaverse, cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens, and emerging technologies. She is also president of Logan Circle Strategies, a strategic advisory firm. She is vice chair of the board of directors of the Internet Education Foundation; chair of the Internet Society’s Washington, DC, chapter; member of the board of SeedAI; chair of the board of directors at TechFreedom; and chair of the Dynamic Coalition on the Internet of Things of the Internet Governance Forum. Previously, Ms. Tews served as co-chair of the Internet Governance Forum USA. She was a member of the board of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the Information Technology Industry Council, and Global Women’s Innovation Network. She also managed internet security and digital commerce issues as vice president of global policy for Verisign. She began her career in the George H. W. Bush White House as a deputy associate director in the Office of Cabinet Affairs and later moved to Capitol Hill as a legislative director for Rep. Gary Franks (R-CT).

Meri Baghdasaryan is an attorney from Armenia, currently working on human rights issues at the intersection of law and technology as a legal fellow at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. She is an active member of various Internet governance communities, such as the IGF, EuroDIG, and SEEDIG, and she is a former Steering Committee Member of the Youth Coalition on Internet Governance. Currently, Meri is a Steering Committee Member of the IGF Dynamic Coalition on Internet Rights and Principles and an Internet Law and Policy Foundry Fellow. She was a 2020 Open Internet Leader, NextGen@ICANN72 participant, and ARIN 48 Fellow.