[Chapter-delegates] My Candidacy for the 2026 ChAC Steering Committee – Strengthening Our Global Chapter Network

[Heba Sayed]

Dear Internet Society Chapter Leaders,



*** Towards Advancing a More Connected and Trusted Internet ***



It is with great enthusiasm that I announce my candidacy for the 2026
Chapters Advisory Council (ChAC) Steering Committee. Building on my
experience as Vice Chair in 2025, I am deeply committed to strengthening
our chapters as engines of innovation, advocacy, and inclusion — advancing
the Internet Society’s vision of a globally connected, open, and
trustworthy Internet for all.

Through my engagement with chapters across regions in general and the
Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in specific, I have witnessed the
transformative power of community-driven collaboration. Partnering with
telecommunication operators, regulators, and digital transformation
programs through my working experience, as well as contributing to
multistakeholder Internet governance processes & initiatives including
ICANN, I have worked to bridge the gap between global Internet policy and
local community impact.

If elected, I will dedicate my next term – in coordination with other
colleagues and ISOC team- to the following strategic priorities:

- *Strengthening Global Connectivity:* Support initiatives that promote
reliable, affordable Internet access in underserved regions — empowering
chapters to lead local connectivity and community network projects.

- *Building Regional Resilience:* Encourage chapters to develop localized
digital resilience programs focused on cybersecurity awareness,
infrastructure reliability, and data protection.

- *Championing Chapter Empowerment:* Expand mentorship and leadership
training programs to nurture emerging leaders and enhance chapter
sustainability.

*- Fostering Strategic Dialogue:* Create formal mechanisms for chapters to
encourage the contribution of insights to ISOC’s global policy agenda,
ensuring bottom-up representation in decision-making.

- *Accelerating Knowledge and Innovation Exchange:* Establish a digital
collaboration hub to share case studies, tools, and success stories across
regions, cultivating a culture of collective learning and measurable
impact.

*- Promoting Internet Governance Advocacy:* Strengthen chapters’
participation in ICANN, regional IGFs, and policy dialogues – maybe
reviving the ISOC dedicated F2F event during 2026 - to uphold the
principles of openness, interoperability, transparency and inclusivity.

I believe that the strength of the Internet Society lies in its chapters —
in their leadership, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to a
people-centered Internet. Together, we can ensure that every community has
access not only to the Internet, but to the opportunities it enables.

I would be deeply honored to earn your trust and your vote to continue this
journey of shared progress and lasting impact.



With appreciation and commitment,

Heba Sayed, PhD

Candidate, 2026 Chapters Advisory Council (ChAC) Steering Committee

Vice President, Egypt Chapter 22-26

Vice Chair, ChAC 2025

LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/in/heba-sayed-phd-8119927/>
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