When there is a change in the executive leadership of the ICANN organization, it is important that we inform the community in a timely manner. Today, I would like to share with you that Cyrus Namazi, Senior Vice President of Global Domains Division (GDD), has decided to leave ICANN org, effective immediately.
Over the seven years since Cyrus joined ICANN org, he navigated the growth and maturity of the domain name industry and provided support to the Internet community.
It is important to me that there is continuity of GDD's critical work. I have asked my co-deputy, Theresa Swinehart, Senior Vice President, Multistakeholder Strategy & Strategic Initiatives, to also oversee GDD in the interim. Theresa has a long history with ICANN org, and a deep understanding of the domain name industry and its stakeholders. She will work closely with Cyrus' deputies, Karen Lentz, Senior Director Policy Research & Data Services, and Russ Weinstein, Senior Director, Generic Top-Level Domains Accounts & Services, to lead the function and determine the path forward.
