Stephen Fanjoy

1. Why do you want to be a NCF Director?

I believe that access to high quality, affordable, and secure internet service should be a right to all persons. I am a subscribing member of NCF because I understand and fully support its values, vision, mission and strategic plan. 

I want to be a NCF Director so I can play a bigger role in helping to achieve its strategic objectives. This centrally includes achieving its objectives in the National Capital Region and to promote NCF as an example to other underserved communities elsewhere. 

Should I be honoured to be elected by the membership, and should the Board agree, two examples of initiatives I would specifically like to support are 1) helping to improve the cyber defences and practices of NCF and its members and 2) helping to advocate for information and communications technology (ICT) regulatory improvement in Canada. 

I believe that Canada’s telecommunications governance, regulations, and the practices of its dominant service providers are a textbook example of regulatory capture that has failed to serve all Canadians adequately and fairly. NCF has unique credibility in advocating for regulatory improvement for the benefit of its members as well as all other Canadians.

2. What are the most important functions of NCF for its members?

I believe the most important functions NCF provides for its members are: 

• High quality access to the internet, for less than a dollar a day, for those who can’t afford our country’s incumbent and predatory ICT oligopoly
• Member education 
• Regulatory advocacy

3. What skills will you contribute to the NCF Board?

My skills, experience and past accomplishments relevant to the NCF Board include:

• I am an experienced and responsible director, committed to good governance and supporting management’s success. My past board experience includes Fair Vote Canada National Capital Region Chapter, Ottawa Life Sciences Cluster, CMC-Ontario, Ontario Biosciences Innovation Organization and the Ottawa eBusiness Cluster. 
• I have significant expertise in innovation, strategy, business planning, marketing, sales, fundraising, finance, and accounting. I am a Certified Management Consultant and have worked in internet and software innovation, including non-profit social enterprises, continuously for over three decades.
• I have a strong understanding of internet security and privacy best practices, with over 16 years in this field including work with researchers and innovative startups.
• I have substantial experience and accomplishment in advocacy, including for public transit in Ottawa and electoral reform, both federally and provincially.
• I have lived experience, self study, professional and volunteer experience with diverse and disadvantaged communities, including, for example, with the Rideau Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre, ODAWA Native Friendship Centre and the Caldwell Family Centre.