Leadership Update Signals New Era for .ORG Domain Stewardship
The Internet Society has announced significant updates to the leadership of the Public Interest Registry (PIR), which manages the .ORG top-level domain. In a May 22 statement, the nonprofit confirmed the appointment of Seun Ojedeji to the PIR Board of Directors, along with the reappointment of current members Lena Beck Rørvig and Mike Silber. These three board members will begin new three-year terms in June 2025.
New Voice, Deep Experience
Seun Ojedeji brings over ten years of experience in Internet governance and nonprofit technology leadership. He’s been an active figure in the DNS (Domain Name System) space and previously served on the board of AFRINIC, the Internet Number Registry for Africa. His involvement with technical standards, policy frameworks, and capacity-building initiatives positions him well to help guide PIR’s strategic direction.
This addition marks a strong vote of confidence in expertise rooted in global Internet infrastructure. Ojedeji is recognized for his work engaging stakeholders across different regions and sectors, often bridging technical expertise with public-interest goals.
Steady Hands Stay On Board
Alongside Ojedeji, Lena Beck Rørvig and Mike Silber will remain on the board. Rørvig is an independent HR consultant known for her leadership development work. Silber, currently serving as Group Executive for Regulatory Affairs at MTN, brings legal and policy depth from years of regulatory experience in telecom and Internet governance.
Jonathon Nevett, PIR’s President and CEO, has also been reappointed for an additional one-year term in a non-voting board role. Under Nevett’s leadership, PIR has remained focused on strengthening trust and visibility in the .ORG domain space.
A Nod to Service and Transition
Keith Davidson, who served two consecutive terms beginning in 2019, has stepped down from the board. His contributions included policy advisement and advocacy for openness in Internet infrastructure. PIR leadership expressed appreciation for his commitment and long-standing service to the .ORG community.
Who’s Steering the Ship
The PIR Board of Directors as of June 2025 includes:
- Saerin Cho, Chair; legal educator and former nonprofit executive
- Eric Burger, cybersecurity expert at Virginia Tech
- Kathryn Kleinman, law professor at American University
- George Sadowsky, long-time contributor to ICANN and Internet governance
- Lena Beck Rørvig, HR consultant
- Mike Silber, telecom policy executive
- Seun Ojedeji, Internet infrastructure strategist
- Jonathon Nevett, PIR CEO (non-voting)
The Broader Context: .ORG and Its Mission
PIR oversees the .ORG domain, which supports over 11 million registrations worldwide. Unlike commercial domain registries, PIR operates as a nonprofit. The organization’s focus is on trust, digital identity, and support for mission-driven organizations. From grassroots nonprofits to global NGOs, .ORG domains have long been a go-to choice for groups that want to be recognized for their impact, not just their business model.
PIR was created in 2002 by the Internet Society, which still plays a governance role in PIR’s operations. Based in Virginia, PIR maintains a commitment to transparency and accessibility in domain registration, along with efforts to educate and support nonprofit web presence around the globe.
Who’s Behind the Internet Society?
The Internet Society itself is no newcomer. Founded in 1992 by early architects of the Internet, the group works globally to promote open access, security, and interoperability online. With chapters in over 130 countries, it helps shape Internet policy and standards through a mix of education, advocacy, and direct collaboration with institutions.
Why It Matters
Board appointments like these tend to fly under the radar unless you work inside the domain or policy community. But they set the tone for how major Internet infrastructure gets managed. With .ORG serving millions of nonprofits and advocacy groups, decisions made by PIR’s board can shape how those voices are supported online—or not.
Seun Ojedeji’s appointment signals a continued push for diverse perspectives and technical depth. Meanwhile, retaining Rørvig and Silber brings stability and institutional memory. Combined with Nevett’s extended term as CEO, the leadership mix appears built for consistency, accountability, and progress.
The Internet Society’s leadership shuffle at PIR isn’t just a roster change. It’s a reaffirmation of values that center on trust, access, and responsible management of digital identity. With the .ORG domain touching so many public-interest projects worldwide, these appointments could influence not just who gets heard online, but how.
