Board Committees

ICANN's Board Committees are established in the ICANN Bylaws. They can be general, such as the Finance Committee, or specific, such as the Accountability Mechanisms Committee. Each committee has its own Board-approved charter outlining its purpose, scope, and composition. In April 2021, the ICANN Board partnered with the ICANN Organization's Communications team to launch a webinar series called "Meet the Board Committee," which spotlighted each committee's work. The first one focused on the Board Technical Committee (BTC), which oversees the technical work necessary to fulfill ICANN's mission.

Board Committees Past & Present

ICANN Board Committees	Past/Present	Members	Start/Stop	Features
Accountability Mechanisms	present	Becky Burr, Alan Barrett, Edmon Chung, Sarah Deutsch, Patricio Poblete, Leon Sanchez, Katrina Sataki	August 17, 2017	writes annual reports on Accountability Mechanisms The Fundamental Bylaws were amended to redesignate Reconsideration responsibilities from the BGC to the BAMC
Audit	present	Sarah Deutsch, Alan Barrett, Akinori Maemura, Mandla Msimang, Ihab Osman, Kaveh Ranjbar, Katrina Sataki, Harald Alvestrand, Steve Crocker, Rita Rodin Johnston, Dennis Jennings, Erika Mann, Gonzalo Navarro, Bill Graham, Judith Duavit Vazquez	November 4, 1999	Authorizes the CFO to engage the external auditor to perform the audit of ICANN’s financial statements, In 2009 - 2012, oversaw transparent, comprehensive cost accounting principles and reporting requirements for the New gTLD Program; filed Form 990, approved of Moss Adams, Grant Thornton; developed Cost Accounting Guidelines, procurement guidelines, internal audit function, a framework to benchmark ICANN’s accounting and reporting policies against well-known reporting standards; and had staff test whistleblower hotline.
Compensation	present	Maarten Botterman, Sarah Deutsch, Danko Jevtovic, Leon Sanchez, Tripti Sinha, Peter Dengate Thrush, Rita Rodin Johnston, Rajasekhar Ramaraj, Bruce Tonkin	November 8, 2005	President and CEO’s SR2 At-Risk Compensation, Contract Extensions, CEO's annual goals; (increasing) ICANN Officers' Compensation, Oversaw Ombudsman Search in 2011
Executive	present	Maarten Botterman, Göran Marby, Leon Sanchez, Tripti Sinha	November 4, 1999
Finance	present	Danko Jevtovic, Harald Alvestrand, Becky Burr, Avri Doria, Mandla Msimang, Ihab Osman, Tripti Sinha	December 13, 2000	consults with the ICANN President on the annual budget process reviews and makes recommendations on President's submitted annual budget develops and recommends long-term financial objectives
Governance	present	Tripti Sinha, Becky Burr, Sarah Deutsch, Avri Doria, Danko Jevtovic, Ihab Osman, Leon Sanchez	March 12, 2003	created/updated: Guidelines for Board Members Serving as Liaisons to ICANN Community Groups, Board Engagement in Developing Slate for Board Leadership, Code of Conduct Guidelines, Board Committee and Leadership Selection Procedure, Board Conflicts of Interest Policy, Governance Guidelines wrote annual reports on accountability mechanisms until 2017 writes annual reports on code of conduct
Organizational Effectiveness	present	Avri Doria, Alan Barrett, Akinori Maemura, Patricio Poblete, Katrina Sataki, Matthew Shears	November 7, 2008	reviews and oversees all organizational, specific, and IANA functions reviews assess whether ICANN has made progress toward key organizational objectives and commitments and whether the structure is effective and relevant to ICANN's mission.
Risk	present	Harald Alvestrand, James Galvin, Danko Jevtovic, Mandla Msimang, Patricio Poblete, Kaveh Ranjbar, Matthew Shears	November 7, 2008	reviews and considers updates to risk management target model and Risk Register; publicizes ICANN's Risk Management Framework; reviews ICANN org's Information Security (InfoSec) Programs
Strategic Planning	present	Matthew Shears, Becky Burr, Edmon Chung, Avri Doria, James Galvin, Danko Jevtovic, Leon Sanchez, Tripti Sinha	October 22, 2020	assesses the impact of priority trends, shares a proposal with the ICANN Community for consultation, and after receiving input, defines objectives and goals to serve as a foundation for the strategic plan oversees the drafting of the five-year strategic plan shepherds the Board's finalization and adoption of the new strategic plan
Technical	present	Kaveh Ranjbar, Harald Alvestrand, Alan Barrett, Edmon Chung, James Galvin, Akinori Maemura, Patricio Poblete, Katrina Sataki	September 23, 2017	oversees Name Collision Analysis Project outcomes directs Evolution of the Root Server System governance (RSAAC037/038) implementation plan contributes to DNS Security Facilitation Initiative (DSFI-TSG) approved IDN-Universal Acceptance WG recommendations works closely with OCTO on ICANN Managed Root Server (IMRS) Strategy, Root Zone Management (RZM) Evolution Study approving Root Server Crisis Communication Plan oversees KSK Rollover Plan update
Structural Improvements	past	Roberto Gaetano, Harald Alvestrand, Rita Rodin Johnston, Raimundo Beca, Jean-Jacques Subrenat, Mike Silber, Ray Plzak, George Sadowsky, Jonne Soininen, Bertrand de la Chapelle, Reinhard Scholl, Judith Duavit Vazquez, Sebastien Bachollet, Thomas Roessler	November 2008 - March 2012	The predecessor to the Organizational Effectiveness Committee; reviewed and oversaw policies relating to ICANN's ongoing organizational review process
New gTLD Program	past	Cherine Chalaby, Rinalia Abdul Rahim, Fadi Chehadé, Steve Crocker, Chris Disspain, Asha Hemrajani, Markus Kummer, Bruno Lanvin, Erika Mann, Gonzalo Navarro, Raymond A. Plzak, George Sadowsky, Mike Silber, Kuo-Wei Wu, Thomas Schneider	April 4, 2012 to January 10, 2015	The NGPC addressed 71 issues raised by the GAC In July 2013, approved the base registry agreement, opening the door for New gTLD Operations In February 2014, implemented safeguards for regulated industries, strengthening consumer protections with new contractual commitments In March 2014, passed the resolution for specification 13 to registry agreement, creating new framework and protections for brands In July 2014, provided resolution path for Name Collision based on SSAC advice, supporting secure, stable rollout of New gTLDs In October 2014, initiated limited review mechanisms for inconsistent String Confusion Objections, ensuring consistency across decisions to remove deceiving/confusing strings In June 2015, created a path forward for exclusive access generic gTLD applications, shielding Global Public Interest and calling on ICANN Community for new policy
President’s Globalization Advisory Groups	past	Sébastien Bachollet, Bruno Lanvin, Erika Mann, Gonzalo Navarro, Ray Plzak, Mike Silber, Cherine Chalaby, Chris Disspain, Heather Dryden, Bill Graham, Bruce Tonkin, Olga Madruga-Forti, Steve Crocker, Suzanne Woolf, Ram Mohan, Jonne Soininen, Kuo-Wei Wu, Wolfgang Kleinwächter, George Sadowsky	February 2014 to March 2014	On: Affirmation of Commitments: Enhanced and extended commitments to the global multistakeholder community, including governments. Policy Structures: Enhanced global recognition and effectiveness of ICANN decision-making processes and structures, implemented ATRT2 recommendations, and assessed review mechanisms. Legal Structure: Established parallel international structure to enhance ICANN’s global legitimacy in light of ICANN’s mandate. Root Server System: Enhanced SSR of root server system while maintaining operators’ independence; enhanced IANA processes for root server system updates; promoted the establishment of operators' standard operating procedures. IANA Multistakeholder Accountability: Embraced multistakeholder-developed Accountability Mechanisms to continue ICANN’s stewardship of the IANA function and strengthen mutual commitments Internet Governance: obtained proposals for a middle-ground solution to end polarization post-[[WCIT]; promote consensus and participated in the development of a roadmap for continued dialogue post-NETmundial; established a broad, cross-community stakeholder movement to reinforce the value of the multistakeholder model and future of global Internet governance mechanisms (1net); led the Panel on Global Internet Cooperation and Governance mechanisms with the World Economic Forum and the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands.
DNS Risk Management Framework Working Group	past	Bill Graham, Patrik Fältström, Roelof Meijer, Ram Mohan, Ray Plzak, Bill Woodcock, Suzanne Woolf.	October 28, 2011 to November 21, 2013	selected Westlake Consulting, who developed the Framework predecessor to Risk Committee
Board Global Relationships	past	Peter Dengate Thrush, Jean-Jacques Subrenat, Katim Touray, Vanda Scartezini, Bill Graham, Bertrand de la Chapelle, Olga Madruga-Forti, Erika Mann, Gonzalo Navarro, George Sadowsky, Kuo-Wei Wu, Chris Disspain, Mike Silber	2010 to 2013	Developed strategies, policies, and guidelines on strategic relationships between ICANN and other entities. Oversaw the development of a Strategic Partnership program to identify, maintain and strengthen strategic partnerships to assist ICANN in carrying out its mission. Oversaw the performance of ICANN on keeping its key strategic agreements. Developed a policy and implementation plan for the Internationalization of ICANN. Oversaw the periodic review of objectives.
IANA Functions	past	Kuo-Wei Wu, Bill Graham, Mike Silber, Suzanne Woolf, Jonne Soininen, Harald Alvestrand, Raimundo Beca, Steve Crocker, Demi Getschko, Katim Touray, Thomas Narten, Dennis Jennings, Bertrand de la Chapelle, Bill Graham	November 2008 - March 2012	Updates on RZM software project ITAR DNSSEC signing of root zone, automation of management Reviewed proposed changes to name server technical checks RFC Inventory Project Clarified the terminology used in ccTLD delegations and redelegations Reviewed the risks associated with the reduced availability of IPv4 and assessed the issues associated with the introduction of new IPv4 address registries helped the whole Board in overseeing the development of ICANN’s bid for the IANA contract
Meeting Strategy Working Group	past	Donna Austin, Satish Babu, Tijani Ben Jemaa, Michelle Chaplow, Keith Davidson, Eduardo Diaz, Paul Diaz, Tracy Hackshaw, Sylvia Herlein Leite, Sandra Hoferichter, Poncelet Ileleji, Dmitry Kohmanyuk, Suzanne Radell, Ana Cristina Amoroso das Neves, Douglas Onyango, Margarita Valdes	2013	guided the Community through a new strategy for the structure, purpose and locations of ICANN Meetings to support broad, informed participation and reflect the functional, geographic, and cultural diversity of the Internet at all levels of policy development and decision-making.
Public and Stakeholder Engagement	past	Sébastien Bachollet, Chris Disspain, Kuo-Wei Wu, Jonne Soininen, Dennis Jennings, Thomas Narten, Katim Touray, Dave Wodelet, Jean-Jacques Subrenat, Thomas Roessler, Mike Silber	2008 to 2013	Document publication operational policy Remote participation and online tools Meeting changes to improve participation
Board-GAC Recommendation Implementation Working Group	past	Chris Disspain, Bill Graham, Ram Mohan, Ray Plzak, Mike Silber, Erika Mann
Board IDN Variants Working Group	past	Ram Mohan, Jonne Soininen, Suzanne Woolf, Kuo-Wei Wu
Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services	past
Technical Relations Working Group	past
Board Data and Consumer Protection Working Group	past
Working Group on Equivalent Strings Support	past		2010
President's IANA Consultation	past		2005 to 2008
President's Strategy	past		2005 to 2009
President's Standing Committee on Privacy	past		2003
President's Advisory Committee on IDNs	past		2005
Board-GAC Working Group	past		2009 to 2011
Board Conflict of Interest Committee	past		1999 to 2009
Board Reconsideration Committee	past		1999 to 2009
Board and GAC Working Group	past		2005 to 2008
Board Meetings Committee	past		2001 to 2008
Committee on ICANN Evolution and Reform	past		2001 to 2003
President's Task Force on Simultaneous Language Translation	past		2001
At-Large Membership Study Committee	past		2001 to 2002
Independent Review Panel Nominating Committee	past		2001 to 2002
IDN Internal Working Group	past		2001
New TLD Evaluation Process Planning Task Force	past		2000 to 2002
IDN Committee	past		2000 to 2002
.com/.net/.org Whois Committee	past		2001 to 2001
Election Committee	past		2000
Membership Implementation Task Force	past	Pierre Dandjinou, Mohammad-Sani Abdulai, Silvio Cabral Almada, Zakaria Amar, Clement Dzidonu, Philip Chukwu-Emeka Chikezie Fergusson, Sondlo Leonard Mhlaba, Andrew Muigai, George Nkusi, Victor Nwankwo, Traore Alioune Badara, Samtani Anil, Izumi Aizu, Srisakdi Charmonman, Linda Gu, Kenny Huang, Ching-Yi Liu, Yumi Ohashi, Chae Kyu Park, Y. J. Park, Jacob Park, Joseph Yu, Yang Yen-Thaw, Pavan Duggal, Nadeem Hameed, Shashank Kansal, K. S. Raju, James Spenceley, Ian Oi, Ken Young, Sinan Oymaci, Saleem M. Al-Balooshi, Ali Kia, David Teten, Magda Ismail, Najat Rochdi, Mike Norris, Christian Ahlert, Naseem Bhatti, Juergen Eder, Richard Francis, Angelo Gonzalez, Bjornar Kvellheim, Iliya Nickelt, Karel Vietsch, Veni Markovski, Wolfgang Kleinwaechter, Andrew Romanov, Eric Scace, Carlos Afonso, Gabriela Barrios Garrida, Raul Bauer, Leopoldo Brandt, Francisco Gomez Alamillo, Erick Iriarte, Jay Parker, Quincy Yarde, Bill Washburn, Diane Thilly Cabell, Dave Crocker, Pamela Gallant, Michael Geist, Lisa King, Alan Raul, Sanyin Siang, Richard Thieme, Jeff Trexler, Jean-Claude Guedon, Kent Crispin, Hans Klein, Hal Lubsen, Naomasa Maruyama, David McClure, Joe Peck, Shari Steele, Tony Yustein, Eric Brunner-Williams, John Afele	2000
Advisory Committee on Independent Review	past	Linda S. Wilson, Mads Bryde Andersen, Ryozo Hayashi, Ethan Katsh, Hans Kraaijenbrink, Jorge Plano, Peter Dengate Thrush, Jorge Vega	1999	Developed 24 principles to form a framework for an independent review mechanism to provide a meaningful check on the powers and in/actions of the ICANN Board by comparing contested actions with the ICANN Bylaws.
CEO Search	past	George Sadowsky, Steve Crocker, Bertrand de la Chapelle, Erika Mann, Chris Disspain, Cherine Chalaby, Ray Plzak, Rajasekhar Ramaraj	1999 to 2002, 2011-2012	found a successor to ICANN's start-up CEO, Mike Roberts, Stuart Lynn who took office in March 2001. On May 27, 2002, Stuart Lynn announced his intention to retire in March 2003. The Executive Search Committee was appointed to find his replacement. In 2003, the committee presented the Board with various options, and on March 18, 2003, the ICANN Board elected Paul Twomey, who assumed office on March 27, 2003. From 2011 to 2012, partnered with Odgers Berndtson, to collect over 100 candidates for the position of ICANN CEO. Candidates came from community referrals, an ad in the Economist, and the firm's outreach efforts. Odgers Berndtson interviewed and submitted 27 candidates to the committee, and the committee chose and interviewed 16 of them by teleconference. On June 22, 2012, ICANN announced that the committee selection Fadi Chehadé would be the next CEO.
Forum for Ad Hoc Group on Numbering and Addressing	past	Editorial coordinators: Dave Oran, John Stewart, Scott Bradner, Geoff Huston, Raimundo Beca, Tony Holmes, Mark McFadden, Jim Baskin, Marilyn Cade	August 1999 to March 2001	studied and report on requirements for future numbering policies, created in response to requests from a number of interested companies and individuals, took place in a public comment forum
Task Force on Funding	past	Richard Forman, Peter Gerrand, Per-Anders Hurtigh, Kim Hubbard, Mirjam Kuehne, Kees van Draanen, Paul Wilson, Willie Black, Naomasa Maruyama, Jose Luiz Ribeiro Filho, Don Telage, Mike Roberts	1999	formulated recommendations on cost recovery mechanisms that fairly apportion ICANN's funding needs, including criteria to identify classes of registries and registrars for funding obligations; criteria to determine the amounts payable to ICANN by the classes identified; and procedures to adjust for revenue over- or under-recovery from registry/registrar fees.
Membership Advisory Committee	past	Izumi Aizu, Diane Thilly Cabell, George Conrades, Greg Crew, Pavan Duggal, Kanchana Kanchuanasut, Daniel Kaplan, Siegfried Langenbach, Nii Quaynor, Oscar Robles, Dan Steinberg, Tadao Takahashi, Jonathan Zittrain	1998 to 1999	provided the ICANN Board with possible membership structures for the election of At-Large Directors at Singapore meeting in March 1999.