[http://www.icann.org/images/gradlogo_bow.jpg]<http://www.icann.org/> News Alert http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-20mar14-en.htm ________________________________ ICANN Expands Global Stakeholder Engagement Team 20 March 2014 Click here to watch an interview with Michael Yakushev: English<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeI9SDz7_S8&feature=youtu.be> | Русский<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4HMw6o-IOc&feature=youtu.be> ICANN has announced new developments to enhance its Global Stakeholder Engagement (GSE) efforts, with the creation of two new leadership positions and the hiring of two new regional Vice Presidents. "ICANN is expanding its global presence, giving us the opportunity to reach stakeholders at every corner of the globe," said Sally Costerton, Senior Advisor to the President, Stakeholder Engagement. "As we expand, it is crucial that we have experienced and effective leadership in key regions to allow these stakeholders to engage with us." Michael Yakushev takes the role of Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement for Russia, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Eastern Europe. Michael is an experienced Internet lawyer who, prior to joining ICANN, worked for a variety of international technology companies, including Microsoft, SAP, PayPal and Mail.ru. Veni Markovski, who previously held this role, will be moving to New York to assume the role of Vice President of Global Stakeholder Engagement. In this new role, Veni will, amongst other responsibilities, work closely with United Nations (UN) agencies and the missions to the UN. Assuming the role of Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement for Europe is Jean-Jacques Sahel. Jean-Jacques previously held senior policy and regulatory positions at Skype, Microsoft, and in government. His predecessor, Nigel Hickson, will be moving to Geneva to take on the role of Vice President of Intergovernmental Organizations (including the UN) and International Organizations. "ICANN will implement a more focused engagement plan with governments and IGOs in the coming months," said Tarek Kamel, Senior Advisor to the President on Government Engagement. "These organizational changes are vital to support our efforts to get closer to our global stakeholders." ### To download a high-resolution photo of Veni Markovski, go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/icann/8228649382/ To download a high-resolution photo of Michael Yakushev, go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/icann/13288524154/ To download a high-resolution photo of Nigel Hickson, go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/icann/8225204991/ To download a high-resolution photo of Jean-Jacques Sahel, go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/icann/13288512834/ Global Stakeholder Engagement (GSE) is a team of people appointed to demonstrate ICANN's commitment to international participation and the efficacy of its multi-stakeholder environment. It works with the community and staff to achieve the goal of better representing ICANN's regions and facilitating the organization's engagement with and responsiveness to these regions. To learn more about the GSE team, visit: http://www.icann.org/en/about/staff/gse