Michael Zahra
Liste: Comité des candidatures
Province: Ontario
Poignée sociale: Linkedin
Énoncé de candidature
Ancien administrateur récent de CIRA et dirigeant chevronné, je sollicite votre appui pour être réélu afin de poursuivre ma contribution à la mission de CIRA : bâtir un Internet de confiance pour les Canadiens. Mon expertise en technologie, finances, audit, gestion des risques et partenariats stratégiques s’aligne étroitement sur les priorités du conseil.
Au cours de ma carrière, notamment à titre de chef de la direction et d’administrateur dans les secteurs public, privé et sans but lucratif, j’ai exercé un leadership en technologie, cybersécurité, intelligence artificielle et industries réglementées. Mon expérience couvre la gouvernance, l’intégration de fusions et acquisitions, l’innovation numérique et la stratégie. Je détiens un diplôme en génie électrique, un MBA et plusieurs certifications en cybersécurité, ESG, DEI et souveraineté des données autochtones.
J’ai siégé à quatre comités de CIRA : Finances, Produits et stratégie, Rémunération et le comité spécial sur le partenariat avec SIDN. J’ai contribué à des initiatives telles que Hello Registry, le partenariat SIDN, Net Good, la cybersécurité XDR, la sécurité en ligne et les infrastructures numériques.
J’apporte continuité, expérience, jugement, leadership collaboratif et engagement envers une gouvernance efficace.
Je vous remercie de votre considération.
I desire to be (re)elected to again support CIRA’s critical mandate –
CIRA plays a foundational role in Canada’s digital ecosystem by managing the .CA domain and ensuring that Canadian internet infrastructure is secure, reliable, and reflective of Canadian values. As the steward of the .CA registry, CIRA protects a key element of Canada’s national digital identity, enabling citizens, businesses, and institutions to establish a trusted online presence. With the expansion of Hello Registry & XDR security, CIRA is furthering it’s mandate to serve Canadians.
CIRA also serves as a non-partisan voice in internet governance, both domestically and internationally, advocating for a multistakeholder model that safeguards openness, innovation, and sovereignty in internet policy. It engages in meaningful public policy dialogue while defending principles like privacy, net neutrality, and secure infrastructure.
Through its Net Good program and community investments, CIRA ensures that the benefits of connectivity reach underserved populations.
Ultimately, CIRA matters because it balances technical excellence with a public interest mandate. In a world where digital trust is eroding, CIRA remains a credible, Canadian institution that protects, promotes, and advances our national interests online. It is a vital enabler of Canada’s digital future – secure, inclusive, and sovereign.
Over decades of Board experience, I have many examples over multiple complex industries, but I’ll humbly provide one specifically from my time on the CIRA Board:
I was a key member of the CIRA Committee that worked on the SIDN registry project – merging CIRA with the Dutch registry (.nl). This project included complex governance, risk, legal, financial, strategic, regulatory and stakeholder communications aspects. My successful role on the Committee was to draw from my deep board and corporate experience and provide insight and recommendations to the Committee and CIRA Board Chair to address all these aspects to ensure appropriate governance, risk management and business decisions, and to also ensure the voice of Canadians was always considered in decisions.
The outcome was a very successful merger with SIDN, now providing the platform for Hello Registry, giving CIRA a scalable offering to expand its registry business globally, and safeguarding the .CA domain in an ever complicated and competitive TLD landscape.
My executive and board experience, including CEO roles in regulated technology sectors, has prepared me to address these challenges with strategic insight and governance rigor. I have overseen innovation, cybersecurity, and cross-jurisdictional partnerships. My certifications in cybersecurity oversight, and Indigenous data governance reinforce a well rounded, future-focused perspective. As a Board member, I would contribute diversity, deep operational insight, cross-sector context, and strategic acumen to ensure CIRA delivers on its public mandate while strengthening Canada’s digital trust, resilience, and competitiveness.
Sustaining .CA Growth Amid Market Disruption:
With increasing competition from alternative TLDs and global registry consolidation, CIRA must continue to grow registrations while reinforcing the value of .CA as a trusted domain. Hello Registry offers scalable, sustainable revenue models.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Resilience:
As cyber threats intensify and trust declines, CIRA must lead in delivering robust, Canadian-controlled solutions. Expanding XDR capabilities and DNS threat intelligence services are critical to safeguarding institutions and infrastructure. CIRA also has a strategic role in national digital sovereignty and supply chain resilience.
Policy Influence and Internet Governance:
With Canada and international actors reassessing internet regulation, CIRA must strengthen its advocacy for multistakeholder governance and open internet principles. It must also navigate shifts in government engagement.