Theresa Swinehart

A leading advocate for an open and secure Internet and an expert on global Internet governance and cooperation, Theresa Swinehart is senior advisor to the president on global strategy at ICANN. She works with stakeholders and policymakers around the globe to advocate the Internet’s multistakeholder model, overseeing a team with responsibility for a range of initiatives, including development of the organization’s five-year strategic plan.

Theresa rejoins ICANN after serving for three years as the executive director of global Internet policy for Verizon Communications, where she specialized in emerging issues and stakeholder and policy leader engagement. Prior to Verizon, Theresa spent nearly 10 years at ICANN and was vice president of global and strategic partnerships. Her responsibilities included leading the international team, developing strategy for global engagement and outreach, and representing ICANN in international forums.

Before joining ICANN, Theresa was director for global e-commerce at MCI, where she was responsible for emerging international Internet issues, including ISP liability, data protection, and the company’s participation in Internet-related forums like the formation of ICANN. Theresa began her career in international human rights with a focus on economic, social, cultural, civil, and political rights.

She holds a law degree from American University’s Washington College of Law. She serves on the ISOC Board of Trustees and the Internet Governance Forum Multistakeholder Advisory Group. She is fluent in English and German, and conversant in French.