CIRA 2025 Board Elections (1.Viewing)

(I know I'm a very pedantic and literal person - some people really hate that personality trait, sorry.)

There's only 11 candidates this year. 5 on NC slate and 6 on the member slate. The math ain't mathing.

If there's more than a dozen candidates that could be reflective of the risk I highlighted in the other thread re: how we vet/authenticate CIRA candidate member profiles.

@jamesaepp
(No need to apologize - precision and attention to detail are valuable traits, especially in governance!)
I totally agree with you that we need to balance - or even tilt the scale - to ensure genuine representation while maintaining the corporate/business expertise that NomCom traditionally brings. But here's the thing: we absolutely have those skill sets among member slate candidates too.


One pattern I've noticed is particularly concerning: there seems to be an unwritten rule that without an ICD.D designation (Institute of Corporate Directors), you're unlikely to make the NomCom slate. While I respect the ICD.D certification, this creates several problems:

1. Artificial gatekeeping: The ICD.D program costs thousands of dollars and requires significant time investment - automatically excluding many qualified candidates who can't afford it or whose employers won't sponsor it
2. Homogenization of thought: When everyone comes through the same training pipeline, we risk groupthink rather than the diverse perspectives CIRA needs
3. Missing expertise: Some of our best potential board members might be technical experts, community leaders, or digital rights advocates who bring crucial knowledge but haven't pursued traditional corporate governance credentials

Good evening everyone. I do hope I'm not late to the party on this platform.
My name is Caleb Ogundele, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and I'm running for CIRA's Board of Directors as a Member Slate Candidate.

Why Vote for Me?​

I bring a rare combination: deep DNS and registry expertise, proven board governance, and commitment to Canada's digital sovereignty. Unlike many candidates, I've actually worked at the global policy level where decisions about domain names and internet infrastructure are made.

My Internet Governance Credentials​

For over a decade, I've been shaping internet policy at the highest levels:
Internet Society Board of Trustees - Currently serving on Strategic, Finance, and Audit Committees. Through this role, I help appoint board members to the Public Interest Registry (PIR), which operates .ORG - demonstrating my direct registry governance experienceView my profile

• ICANN Leadership - As Membership Chair of the Not-for-Profit Operational Concerns Constituency, I actively shape global DNS policy. I'm currently working on ICANN's Continuous Improvement Program, directly influencing how the global domain system evolvesNPOC Leadership
• African Registry Experience - Former Vice Chair of AFRINIC's Nominations Committee, giving me direct ccTLD and registry operations experience
• Canadian Internet Governance Forum - Active committee member, keeping me at the forefront of Canada's digital policy discussionsCIGF Committee

My Business & Community Impact​

Beyond technical expertise, I understand CIRA's broader responsibilities:

• Financial Acumen: Currently managing strategic projects in Wealth Business Intelligence at Assiniboine Credit Union ($9.6B in assets)
• Community Connection: Board Member and Treasurer, Manitoba Black Chamber of Commerce - seeing firsthand how .ca domains enable entrepreneurial success
• Entrepreneurial Experience: Co-founded and led a tech consulting firm, developing strategies for 500+ SMEs

My Vision for CIRA​

CIRA isn't just another corporation - we're stewarding critical Canadian infrastructure.

The Bottom Line​

I don't just understand domain names - I help make the global policies that govern them. With active roles at Internet Society, ICANN, and former positions at AFRINIC, I bring unparalleled registry governance experience to CIRA's board.

More importantly, I believe board service isn't about being special - it's about being useful. It's about asking uncomfortable questions, amplifying unheard voices, and remembering we're serving all Canadians, not just those who understand DNS.

TAKE ACTION NOW​

I ask for your vote to bring this comprehensive expertise to strengthen CIRA's stewardship of our digital future.

Learn More:

• My Platform & Contact: calebogundele.ca
• Official Candidate Statement: View on CIRA

VOTE NOW: vote.cira.ca
Deadline: October 1, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. ET
Together, we'll strengthen Canada's digital future!

Thank you.

Caleb Ogundele
CIRA Board Candidate - Member Slate

FM said:

I'm having a hard time picking ANY of the people selected from the Nomination committee. I am not generally a fan of wasting votes, but there are 5 candidates and 3 of them will be voted in...

CIRA also posted some the individual candidate video statements on their YouTube channel:
CIRA 2025 Election
(I've added them to a 2025 election playlist in order of uploads).

I also find it difficult to give my vote to any of those who vow transparency and more membership engagement, yet they have been on the board before without there being any visible improvement on that matter. I know this is likely easier said than done, but now that they have been on the board, maybe they could speak to why it's difficult. But likely this is also a difficult topic considering that there's supposed to be one board and one voice.

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@FM ,Thank you for sharing these candid observations - they echo concerns I've heard from many members, and they're exactly why I'm running from the Member Slate.
On the transparency paradox you mentioned: You've hit on something crucial. Board members who've served multiple terms, claiming they'll "now" deliver transparency, should be asked directly: "What specific barriers prevented you from delivering this during your previous term(s)?" The "one board, one voice" principle shouldn't shield directors from accountability for unfulfilled promises.
As someone currently serving on multiple boards (Internet Society, Manitoba Black Chamber), I can tell you that transparency isn't achieved through grand gestures - it's built through consistent, small actions:

• Publishing meeting summaries within days, not months
• Hosting regular "office hours" AMA where members can ask questions directly
• Creating plain-language explanations of complex decisions
• Actually responding to member emails and concerns

Why hasn't transparency improved? From my experience in internet governance, boards often confuse confidentiality (protecting sensitive negotiations) with secrecy (hiding decision-making processes). CIRA members deserve to understand HOW decisions are made, even when specific details must remain confidential.
My commitment is different because:

1. I have a track record of transparency at ICANN and Internet Society - organizations that manage to be transparent despite handling globally sensitive issues in a multistakeholder approach

Regarding your voting dilemma: While I can't tell you how to vote on the NomCom slate, I encourage you to use your Member Slate votes for candidates who:

• Haven't been part of the problem you mentioned
• Bring fresh perspectives from outside the usual circles
• Have demonstrated transparency in other roles

The fact that you're struggling to support 3 out of 5 NomCom candidates speaks volumes about the need for stronger member-nominated directors who can shift the board's culture.
I'd welcome the chance to discuss specific transparency measures you'd like to see implemented. What would meaningful engagement look like to you?
Best regards,

Caleb Ogundele
Member Slate Candidate

P.S. - Thank you for creating that YouTube playlist - that's exactly the kind of member-driven initiative that helps everyone make informed decisions. We need more members like you actively engaged in holding us accountable.

jamesaepp said:

I think there's a lot of fair questions being raised but I don't want all the pressure to be on @mgamble.

As the saying goes, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt". He shouldn't be the only one taking that risk.

I've noticed @mzahra and @heathermaga are new members. Don't ask permission to jump in.

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Hi @jamesaepp ,
Thanks for notifying me tonight about this platform. I'm here to respond to any question. I have attempted a few and still open to more direct questions I can respond to.

jamesaepp said:

Heather's response is below. I have only edited it to include the original questions for readability (as accepted by her).

---

Hello - I apologize for the delay in getting back to you. I have been under the weather.

Answers to your questions:

(Yes/No, please) Could you confidently explain the differences between a registry, a registrar, a registrant, the DNS, and domain levels to a fifth-grader?
Yes.

Do you believe CIRA is privileged as the operator of a monopoly and how does/would this influence your decisions at the board table?
Yes. CIRA has a monopoly position as the .CA registry. This reality means decisions must balance responsibility to Canadians with fairness, transparency, and accountability.

There's a lot of talented people both on and competing to be on the board. What makes you special?
I bring nearly 30 years of Canadian tech experience, a mix of SaaS and nonprofit leadership, and a strong focus on digital equity. What makes me different is that I understand both the policy and technical side while also representing small businesses, independent developers, and nonprofits who rely on Canada's internet infrastructure. I am a fresh NEW voice.

How do you think CIRA can improve member and stakeholder engagement?
CIRA can improve engagement by meeting members where they already are. That means clearer, more accessible communication, providing more interactive and real-time ways for members to give input, and ensuring stakeholder concerns lead to visible outcomes.

(Yes/No, please) Do you consent to me sharing your responses?
I would be able to provide consent on you sharing my answers but I would first need to know where you would be sharing my responses and whether they would be shared in full and unedited.

Thank you for your questions,
Heather

Click to expand...

Thank you for sharing my answers on the forum. You can find out more about me on my candidate website Heather Maga – CIRA Board Candidate 2025 or on my LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherdm/

FM said:

All good @lawsonk. Thank you for responding, you answered the question exactly how @jamesaepp meant it. I am the one who misunderstood.

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A little more background on my technical experience and knowledge of DNS. As I've mentioned I've been an IT professional for 30 years. For about 15 of those years I was a Linux systems administrator and responsible for managing the hospital DNS infrastructure since we run it on Bind on Linux servers. During that time I managed a complex multi-hospital deployment with a mixture of internal and external views serving up different requests for our internal only and public facing infrastructure. We wrote and maintained custom web utilities that allowed IT staff to manage DNS records through a web UI that in turn generated the proper zone files for the internal and external views as well as managing DHCP MAC address reservations and associated DNS records for dynamic and "static" (i.e. IP bound to a single MAC address) DHCP addresses. I have thorough understanding of DNS recursion, caching, server & client functionality record types, configuration of extended use of DNS (e.g. SPF/DMARC/DKIM) and 15 years of hands on experience of managing and troubleshooting Bind on Linux. That experience dates back to before .ca domains were deregulated to allow the public more access to their own custom domains.

Happy to elaborate more but the underlying tone of the AGM was focus on leadership, business and governance experience as opposed to technical.

For more information about me some links for quick reference:

CIRA Candidate Statement - This is pretty high level for obvious reasons. Let me know if i can provide further details on anything I have written there or said during the meet and greet.

Is this a game... or is it real? - My blog. It's relatively new and there's a lot about deep learning and reinforcement learning (RL) right now as I'm studying to begin a Doctor of Engineering with a research focus in RL. I started the blog this year as a place to practice writing as I study for my upcoming research.

LinkedIn

I'm not overly active on other social platforms but you can find links to X, Mastodon and Bluesky in my blog header.


Having said all of that I'm more curious about what you as members want to see from a director. I can see some signs with frustration of lack of transparency and certain decisions. If I'm elected what can I do for you? Happy to answer any questions here as to the direction I would take on issues that are important to members. Recognising I have never been on the board and won't have background on past decisions, considerations the board had to weigh that weren't made public etc.

Thanks for inviting me and the other candidates to this conversation @jamesaepp.

jamesaepp said:

I've uploaded your Q&A here:

Editorial notes:

1. I added a fade in and fade out.
2. I blurred out the marquee - seemed like a reasonable compromise. The names of every CIRA attendee are unlikely to be published in the minutes or part of the recording, and I know some people prefer not to be named. I'd rather not open the can of worms. Nothing is gained by leaving it in the recording, so removed it is.
3. 1 & 2 approach the extent of my video editing skills.
4. The substance of the question and answer is unedited.
5. It wasn't a ""closed"" meeting. As such I don't feel the need to ask consent to record it or use it in a manner like this. I was a participant in the call as much as anyone else.
6. You'll hear some weird noise in the background. I tried to keep my mic muted when not speaking but I failed at times. Noisy chair. Sorry.

Click to expand...

Thanks for this. It's disappointing that the meeting chair decided to cut Byron off before he had the opportunity to answer the hard questions about the $28 million in salaries and IT expenses in 2025.

Hello Everyone,
I'm here to answer any questions you might have for me.

• Contact: calebogundele.ca
• Official Candidate Statement: View on CIRA

davidm said:

Thanks for this. It's disappointing that the meeting chair decided to cut Byron off before he had the opportunity to answer the hard questions about the $28 million in salaries and IT expenses in 2025.

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I know this is incredibly biased. Possibly immature of me to be bringing it up again without a full "cooldown" period.

That's not the fault of the chair. They are following the rules set out to conduct a proper meeting that is fair to all participants.

I obviously would have loved more Q&A period. I'd have to re-check the recording but even the post-AGM Q&A period was only about 20ish minutes. That's why I made the motion to add more Q&A time in the AGM. Ultimately that lost - for every one vote in favor, three voted against. That's just the fact of the matter. I'm in the minority.

I think you could/should have re-asked the question in that Q&A period. Maybe you had to leave early, idk. Maybe you were reluctant to re-ask the question.

Without clarity, we speculate. What a shame.

Caleb said:

Hello Everyone,
I'm here to answer any questions you might have for me.

• Contact: calebogundele.ca
• Official Candidate Statement: View on CIRA

Click to expand...

Thank you for your DM(s) and the message in LinkedIn. I am getting to a point where it is similar to spam in my eyes though, which means I'm no longer sure if I should consider voting for you.

FM said:

Thank you for your DM(s) and the message in LinkedIn. I am getting to a point where it is similar to spam in my eyes though, which means I'm no longer sure if I should consider voting for you.

Click to expand...

He sent me a dm and an email as well and I thought it was rather nice to get the input, he seems to be proactive in contacting the voter base. It's all about knocking on doors and kissing babies at this point so personally I don't fault him for it. In fact I was happy to see the interactions.

MapleDots said:

He sent me a dm and an email as well and I thought it was rather nice to get the input, he seems to be proactive in contacting the voter base. It's all about knocking on doors and kissing babies at this point so personally I don't fault him for it. In fact I was happy to see the interactions.

Click to expand...

Yes and know - I'm a bit sensitive when it comes to this and there have be worse offenders in the past, for sure

So candidates that made their way here (thank you), what's your opinion on Domain investing? I.e. people that buy and sell domains.

lawsonk said:

For more information about me some links for quick reference:

CIRA Candidate Statement - This is pretty high level for obvious reasons. Let me know if i can provide further details on anything I have written there or said during the meet and greet.

Is this a game... or is it real? - My blog. It's relatively new and there's a lot about deep learning and reinforcement learning (RL) right now as I'm studying to begin a Doctor of Engineering with a research focus in RL. I started the blog this year as a place to practice writing as I study for my upcoming research.

LinkedIn

I'm not overly active on other social platforms but you can find links to X, Mastodon and Bluesky in my blog header.


Having said all of that I'm more curious about what you as members want to see from a director. I can see some signs with frustration of lack of transparency and certain decisions. If I'm elected what can I do for you? Happy to answer any questions here as to the direction I would take on issues that are important to members. Recognising I have never been on the board and won't have background on past decisions, considerations the board had to weigh that weren't made public etc.

Thanks for inviting me and the other candidates to this conversation @jamesaepp.

Click to expand...

What's your specific goal to achieve if you become a director of CIRA?

How do you feel about providing objective oversight of CIRA's activities and spending?

Will you report issues to the members, especially when the board ratifies or approves of spending on or hiring personnel for non-core registry activities and consulting services?

jamesaepp said:

I know this is incredibly biased. Possibly immature of me to be bringing it up again without a full "cooldown" period.

That's not the fault of the chair. They are following the rules set out to conduct a proper meeting that is fair to all participants.

I obviously would have loved more Q&A period. I'd have to re-check the recording but even the post-AGM Q&A period was only about 20ish minutes. That's why I made the motion to add more Q&A time in the AGM. Ultimately that lost - for every one vote in favor, three voted against. That's just the fact of the matter. I'm in the minority.

I think you could/should have re-asked the question in that Q&A period. Maybe you had to leave early, idk. Maybe you were reluctant to re-ask the question.

Without clarity, we speculate. What a shame.

Click to expand...

The format of the meeting is not conducive to be a positive experience. Too much time is wasted on formalities and it became stressful for the audience, according to the comments from your proposal and my own experience. The meeting needs to be more free flowing and cordial, with questions asked and answered in writing ahead of the meeting. The meeting should be a question and answer period to clarify previous answers. Members should be able to vote electronically after the meeting.

I've been Director of a non-profit and I have attended many AGMs for a condo corporation. The free flowing meetings were the best. The formalistic ones engendered suspicions of wrongdoing that were later discovered to be correct. There's a reason why property managers are licensed and regulated in Ontario.

lawsonk said:

For more information about me some links for quick reference:

CIRA Candidate Statement - This is pretty high level for obvious reasons. Let me know if i can provide further details on anything I have written there or said during the meet and greet.

Is this a game... or is it real? - My blog. It's relatively new and there's a lot about deep learning and reinforcement learning (RL) right now as I'm studying to begin a Doctor of Engineering with a research focus in RL. I started the blog this year as a place to practice writing as I study for my upcoming research.

LinkedIn

I'm not overly active on other social platforms but you can find links to X, Mastodon and Bluesky in my blog header.


Having said all of that I'm more curious about what you as members want to see from a director. I can see some signs with frustration of lack of transparency and certain decisions. If I'm elected what can I do for you? Happy to answer any questions here as to the direction I would take on issues that are important to members. Recognising I have never been on the board and won't have background on past decisions, considerations the board had to weigh that weren't made public etc.

Thanks for inviting me and the other candidates to this conversation @jamesaepp.

Click to expand...

Keith, thank you for stepping forward as a candidate. I have a few questions about your approach to board governance:

1. Strategic Focus: What's your view on CIRA's expansion into areas beyond core .CA registry operations? Should member fees primarily fund registry services, or do you support diversification into other ventures?

2. Financial Oversight: CIRA's operational expenses have grown to $28 million annually, in addition to the millions more spent on consulting fees and marketing costs. As a director, how would you ensure members receive adequate detail about how their fees are allocated between core registry functions versus other activities?

3. Board Communication: Current directors rarely communicate with members outside election periods, citing "the board speaks with one voice through the Chair." How do you balance collective board responsibility with individual accountability to members who elect you?

4. Transparency Standards: What specific improvements would you advocate for in CIRA's financial reporting to help members evaluate whether their fees are being used appropriately?

Your background suggests strong operational experience. How would you apply that to ensure CIRA operates efficiently and transparently?

FM said:

Thank you for your DM(s) and the message in LinkedIn. I am getting to a point where it is similar to spam in my eyes though, which means I'm no longer sure if I should consider voting for you.

Click to expand...

@FM ,
You're absolutely right, and I owe you an apology. Multiple messages across platforms is exactly the kind of behavior that frustrates engaged members like yourself. I got caught up in last-minute campaigning and lost sight of respecting people's space. That's on me.
Your reaction actually demonstrates something important - you're the type of thoughtful, critical member CIRA needs engaged, not alienated. The fact that you're taking time to provide this feedback instead of just blocking me shows you care about the process.
Here's the irony: one of my platform points is improving member engagement through respectful, meaningful dialogue - and I just demonstrated the opposite. That's a learning moment I'll carry forward.
If you're still considering your vote, I'd simply say this: judge me on my track record and vision, not my overeager campaigning. I bring:

• Actual registry governance experience from Internet Society and ICANN
• Direct knowledge of how ccTLDs operate
• A commitment to challenging the status quo (as you've just witnessed me accepting criticism and adjusting)

But honestly? Even if you don't vote for me, I value members like you who will hold directors accountable. That's exactly what CIRA needs more of.
No more messages from me - promise. The choice is yours, and I respect whatever decision you make.
Best regards,
Caleb

P.S. - Thank you for not just writing me off. Your directness is refreshing and needed.

FM said:

Yes and know - I'm a bit sensitive when it comes to this and there have be worse offenders in the past, for sure

Click to expand...

@MapleDots
Thank you so much for this gracious perspective - and for understanding what I was trying to accomplish, even if my execution wasn't perfect.
You're absolutely right that connecting with the voter base is crucial, especially when joining this forum so late in the process. Your "knocking on doors and kissing babies" analogy made me smile - it perfectly captures the challenge of last-minute campaigning in our digital age.
I genuinely appreciate members like you and @FM who engage thoughtfully with the process
The fact that this community can have this kind of nuanced discussion - where different perspectives are shared constructively - speaks volumes about why CIRA members should be more involved in governance decisions. This is exactly the type of engaged, thoughtful membership that makes .ca domains worth protecting and advancing.
Win or lose, I'm grateful for the interaction and the learning experience. Members like both of you who care enough to engage, critique, and discuss - are what make CIRA's democratic process meaningful.
Thank you for seeing the intent behind the outreach and for your generous interpretation.
Best regards,
@Caleb

FM said:

So candidates that made their way here (thank you), what's your opinion on Domain investing? I.e. people that buy and sell domains.

Click to expand...

@FM,
Interesting timing for this question - domain investing often becomes the elephant in the room during board elections.
I'll be direct: Domain investing is part of the ecosystem. Full stop. The investors I've seen and worked with at ICANN often understand DNS infrastructure better than many "traditional" stakeholders. They catch policy flaws, identify security issues, and yes, they create secondary markets that serve real needs.
The tension isn't really about investing itself - it's about balance. Some of the most innovative domain use cases I've seen came from investors. But I've also seen warehousing that locks out Indigenous communities, Not For not-for-profit organizations who can't afford a lot in purchasing their own names.
The real question isn't whether domain investing is legitimate - it's whether CIRA's policies encourage productive investment while preventing exploitation. That requires board members who understand the nuance, not ideologues on either side.
Curious what prompted this question - seeing specific issues in the .ca aftermarket?
@Caleb