Lia Kiessling

What skills will I contribute to the NCF Board?

I bring over 20 years of leadership in global nonprofits. My background includes communications, fundraising, engagement strategy, and inclusive technology, with a focus on governance and mission-driven service.

Here are some of the skills and experience I would bring:

• Fundraising and donor strategy – I built programs that exceeded revenue goals by over 60%.
• Volunteer and stakeholder engagement – I helped grow a global network from 80,000 to over 120,000 members.
• Strategic storytelling and public advocacy – I led campaigns that appeared in The New York Times, BBC, and The Guardian, connecting audiences to issues that matter.
• Board support and governance planning – I've advised executive teams on strategy, oversight, and organizational impact.

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

NCF plays a vital role in supporting inclusion and local participation. It provides tools and services that enable people to participate in daily life and build stronger, more connected neighbourhoods. Its most important functions include:

• Providing affordable, unlimited internet access—with no contracts, price hikes, or commission-driven sales tactics.
• Offering free locally-hosted email and basic web hosting, supporting both personal and local use.
• Running an award-winning HelpDesk, where staff and volunteers answer questions and guide people through digital challenges.
• Delivering skills workshops and tools for peer support so members can grow their confidence and help one another.
• Operating programs like the Community Access Fund and CommuniFi, expanding access for people living on low incomes.
• Staying transparent and member-driven, investing in services and sustainability instead of profit.

Why do you want to be an NCF director?

I am a longtime advocate for free and open societies, and I have worked around the world, leading technology and innovation strategies to promote human rights, good governance, and grassroots development. My focus has always been on supporting local voices, strengthening participation, and promoting empowerment through access and inclusion.

Serving on NCF's board would be an honour. It aligns with my belief that technology should serve people—by fostering connection, opportunity, and self-determination.

I believe NCF has the potential to be a strong local force for access and opportunity, offering the connections, skills, and support people need to shape their own paths. That kind of work only succeeds when it's rooted in local knowledge, shared values, and mutual trust. It's about working together to create space for ideas, growth, and meaningful progress to take hold.

That belief stems from my work with networks and local leaders across the globe, from Baltimore residents building their own network to Indigenous leaders advocating for emergency broadband during the pandemic to rural towns in Africa addressing challenges through grassroots innovation. In each case, it wasn't just the technology that made the difference—it was people taking charge of their futures with the right support behind them.

Here's the vision I'd love to help bring to life at NCF:

• Providing access that supports dignity, connection, and local resilience — by ensuring reliable, affordable internet that meets people's everyday needs.
• Creating space for learning from one another, collaboration, and digital inclusion — so people can build skills, confidence, and a shared purpose online.
• Staying rooted in the values of the people we serve — like affordability, inclusion, trust, and local ownership, to ensure every decision reflects those we exist to support.

I would be honoured to support NCF’s mission as a board member and contribute to its long-standing commitment to connection, inclusion, and equity. As I return to Ottawa, I look forward to giving back to the communities that shaped me and to helping grow an organization that reflects the values we share.

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