Chris LaHatte
Ombudsman, ICANN
Twitter | LinkedIn
Fast Facts
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
How long have you been in the domain industry? 4 ½ years
Favourite extension: Ones used with imagination and flair
Now reading: “A Manual for Cleaning Women” by Lucia Berlin
Now watching: Vikings
Best city for conferences: Dublin, Ireland
Q&A
Describe your company and how long you have been there?
I have been with ICANN since 2011.
Can you tell us about your last time at NamesCon and what you got out of it?
2014, the best meetings are all in the corridors, and don’t run seminars that are not directly related to the business of domains!
Can you tell us about how your service or product helps deliver value to your customers?
Fairness and better process help with openness, and raise trust.
What are your thoughts on the new TLDs?
Fascinating to see what will happen in the longer term.
What are you most looking forward to at the upcoming NamesCon?
Panels, and catching up with friends and colleagues.
Its important for me to get to know all of the domain name community as they are an important part of the ICANN community. My role as ombudsman is for everyone, and I want to be there for all of the people, whatever their background. So NamesCon enables me to spend time with some who may not go to ICANN meetings, but who are nonetheless important to our community.
What fact about you would surprise people?
I had a walk on part in a ballet at age 15.
How does your career compare to what you envisioned in your youth?
Not at all what I expected.
How would you describe what you do in a single sentence to a stranger?
I try to keep peace and increase fairness at ICANN.
If you had fifteen extra minutes each day, what would you do with them?
Spend with friends.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life? What lessons did that person teach you?
My parents, who taught me tolerance, the ability to listen, and a sense of humour.
What are you proudest of in your life?
My amazing, talented children.
Latest and greatest accomplishment in your career?
Becoming the ICANN Ombudsman.
Name 3 things you can’t travel without.
Tea, my Kindle, my phone.
Where is your favourite place to escape?
Home, especially after going around the world to ICANN meetings.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Never send angry letters or emails, wait until you have calmed down and thought about the issue.
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Are you interested in being a NamesCon Featured Attendee? Whether you’re the head of a large company or a one-woman operation, an industry veteran or a first-timer who’s curious to learn more about the domain industry, we want to hear and share your story! We’ll be publishing these profiles on the NamesCon website right up to the launch of the conference, so it’s great visibility for your company or brand.
