Mentorship Powers ARIN's Fellowship Program

Mentorship Powers ARIN's Fellowship Program

By Amanda Gauldin - Project Manager

The ARIN 56 Fellowship Program is officially underway now that this session's Fellows have been selected and are planning their participation in the upcoming Public Policy and Members Meeting - taking place in Arlington, Texas, and online on 30-31 October. This program has always been about more than just attending meetings; it's about building the next generation of Internet policy and governance leaders through meaningful mentorship and hands-on learning experiences.

The Power of Experienced Guidance

At the heart of our Fellowship Program is a robust mentorship component that pairs emerging professionals with seasoned leaders from ARIN's Board of Trustees and Advisory Council (AC). Since introducing the expanded mentorship program in the ARIN 47 session, we've been fortunate to have 15 dedicated Mentors contribute their time and expertise, representing backgrounds ranging from network operations and telecommunications to regulatory policy and finance.

Some of our Mentors first came to the program as Fellows: Gerry George (ARIN 37, ARIN 41), Kerrie Richards (ARIN 39, ARIN 40), Nancy Carter (ARIN 39, ARIN 40), and Matthew Wilder (ARIN 43). This creates a particularly powerful cycle where today's Fellows become tomorrow's Mentors, ensuring the program continues to evolve and stay relevant to current topics and challenges in Internet governance and policy.

Meet the ARIN 56 Mentors

We're excited to introduce the four exceptional volunteers who will help guide the ARIN 56 Fellows:

Brian Jones

ARIN AC Member and Assistant Director of Operations for Virginia Tech

"I'm looking forward to meeting all the Fellows coming in and learning more about them and their interests in Internet governance."

Location: Virginia, USA
Favorite book: "Hideaway" by Dean Koontz
Favorite mobile app: NOAA Weather, but I do repost a lot of ARIN and IPv6 stuff on X, LinkedIn, and Mastodon
Favorite podcast: Anything IPv6-related

Chris Tacit

ARIN Board Secretary and Founder of Tacit Law

"I love to contribute to the development of ARIN and its people. [I look forward to] getting to know the Fellows and helping them engage with ARIN."

Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Favorite book: "Good to Great" by Jim Collins
Favorite movie: "Minority Report" (2002)
Favorite podcast: Stuff You Should Know

Gerry George

ARIN AC Member and ICT Consultant/Business Solutions Architect

"I enjoy the interaction with the Fellows and enjoy the opportunity to help them navigate the membership crowd and network with the wide range of people who attend the meetings, especially to be exposed to the wealth of technical expertise. [I look forward to] engaging in the various discussions with Fellows and members and helping ease any anxiety the Fellows may have at the meeting."

Location: St. Lucia
Favorite movie: "The Usual Suspects" (1995)
Favorite hobby: Music
Favorite podcast: The Ramsey Show

Kaitlyn Pellak

ARIN AC Member and Technical Business Developer/IP Address Strategy at Amazon Web Services

"I have seen firsthand how the mentorship program welcomes newcomers to ARIN. I think that providing this opportunity to attendees who aren't so familiar with ARIN and its processes is a key driver in helping community engagement. I've had the privilege of seeing former Fellows go on to [run for the] AC and Board and take their learnings from ARIN to other communities or back to their day jobs. All of these things help to strengthen the relationship between ARIN and its membership, which I believe is the most important part of ARIN's mission."

Location: Virginia, USA
Favorite book: "Blood Over Bright Haven" by M.L. Wang
Favorite hobby: Drawing, painting
Favorite podcast: Last Podcast on the Left

These Mentors bring perspectives from academia, legal practice, consulting, and cloud computing, ensuring Fellows gain a well-rounded understanding of how Internet resource policies impact different sectors.

Beyond the Meeting: Comprehensive Preparation

The Fellowship experience begins weeks before a Public Policy and Members Meeting with virtual preparatory sessions. Throughout this time, each Mentor shares their career journey and ARIN experiences with the whole cohort, providing Fellows with diverse role models and career inspiration. They also lead small group breakouts where the Fellows they've been paired with can dive deep into policy discussions, ask questions, and build confidence in a supportive environment.

In addition to the Mentors, special guests enhance the learning experience. For ARIN 56, Kat Hunter and Matthew Wilder (ARIN AC Chair and Vice Chair, respectively) will join the program for the first few virtual sessions. They, along with ARIN's Policy Analyst, Eddie Diego, will discuss the Policy Development Process (PDP) at ARIN and policies on the docket at the upcoming meeting. Kevin Blumberg, CTO of The Wire Inc. and an ARIN representative on the Number Resource Organization (NRO) Number Council, will provide a high-level introduction to global Internet governance through ICANN's NRO Number Council/Address Supporting Organization Address Council.

This will be Kat's ninth time and Matthew's fourth time participating as a special guest, with Matthew (an ARIN 43 Fellowship Program alum) also having served as a Mentor for two previous cohorts. Both are dedicated ARIN community leaders and volunteers who are passionate about supporting and growing the impact of the Fellowship Program:

"As Chair of the ARIN Advisory Council, I see the ARIN Fellowship Program as one of the most impactful ways to welcome new voices into the ARIN community and policy development," said Kat. "Participating as a [special guest] speaker allows me to share insights and experiences that help Fellows understand both the opportunities and responsibilities of community-driven policy work. It is important to me because each conversation with the Fellowship participants strengthens the future of ARIN by building informed, engaged, and diverse participation for years to come."

"The ARIN Fellowship program is a very valuable way to make ARIN policy development more approachable," said Matthew. "As someone who previously had the opportunity to be a Fellow, I am very glad to give back to other members of the community as a repeat special guest, and occasionally as a Mentor."

Real Impact, Lasting Connections

The mentorship goes beyond formal sessions. Mentors help Fellows navigate networking opportunities, understand community dynamics, and grasp why certain discussions matter to the broader Internet ecosystem. Here's what some program alumni have shared about their experiences:

"My mentor played a pivotal role throughout both the virtual and in-person components. He ensured that I felt confident navigating the agenda, understanding the policy proposals, and contributing meaningfully to discussions. His guidance and encouragement made a significant difference in helping me transition from an observer to a connected participant." (Timothy Scott, ARIN 55 Fellow) 

"One of the standout elements of the program was the mentorship aspect. My mentor provided critical guidance that prepared me for the ARIN Meeting. Their insights into the agenda and advice on effective networking strategies boosted my confidence and helped me make the most of my time there." (Dipsy Desai, ARIN 54 Fellow) 

"The mentorship provided by seasoned ARIN community members was invaluable. Their generosity in sharing experiences and knowledge made me feel not only welcome but empowered within the community. This guidance not only deepened my comprehension of policy development intricacies but also instilled a sense of duty to engage further. As a participant representing the Caribbean region, I now recognize the importance of actively shaping ARIN's policies for Internet Protocol addresses and Autonomous System numbers." (Davon Baker, ARIN 52 Fellow) 

The program's success is evident in its alumni: Many former Fellows have become active in ARIN's PDP and governance, with a dozen going on to serve on the Advisory Council and Board of Trustees.

"The mentor that I was paired with in my first Fellowship round was absolutely awesome in terms of being a resource," said Kerrie Richards (past Fellow, AC Member, and Mentor). "Of all of the fellowship programs that I've seen all over the place, I think that ARIN Fellowship Mentors are not in it for the ego - they're in it to actually teach. I still call upon my initial Mentor when I need guidance on certain things, so I think there's a lot of value in the Mentor selection for the Fellowship Program. And when I was nominated for the Advisory Council, my very next call was to my Mentor."

ARIN 51 and 54 Fellow Lily Botsyoe was elected to the AC in 2024 and began her term this January. Eager to give back to the Fellowship Program, she's supporting the ARIN 56 cohort as a guest mentor.

"As a two-time Fellow now on the Advisory Council, I've seen firsthand how the ARIN Fellowship Program builds a foundation for sustained community engagement," said Lily. "The program moved me from a curious learner to an active contributor, empowering me to apply the knowledge I gained. My goal as a guest mentor is to help fellows recognize the value of their diverse perspectives and guide them toward long-term involvement, showing them that the fellowship is just the beginning of their contribution to an inclusive community that shapes Internet number resource management."

Building Tomorrow's Internet Leaders

The ARIN Fellowship Program represents a crucial investment in the Internet's future. By connecting emerging professionals with experienced leaders willing to share their knowledge and networks, we build lasting relationships that strengthen Internet governance.

We're grateful to all mentors who have contributed over the years, especially Brian, Chris, Gerry, and Kaitlyn for their upcoming work with the ARIN 56 cohort. Their volunteer commitment makes the program's success possible and ensures that the collaborative spirit driving Internet innovation continues to thrive.

Thank You to All Past and Present Mentors

• Joe Provo (ARIN 47, 49)
• Chris Tacit (ARIN 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 56)
• Matthew Wilder (ARIN 47, 51)
• Kerrie Richards (ARIN 48, 52)
• Alicia Trotman (ARIN 48, 51, 52, 54)
• Rob Seastrom (ARIN 49)
• Cathy Clements (ARIN 50)
• Chris Woodfield (ARIN 50)
• Doug Camin (ARIN 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
• Gerry George (ARIN 53, 54, 55, 56)
• Brian Jones (ARIN 53, 56)
• Kendrick Knowles (ARIN 54)
• Ron da Silva (ARIN 55)
• Nancy Carter (ARIN 55)
• Kaitlyn Pellak (ARIN 55, 56)

To learn more about the ARIN Fellowship Program and how to apply for future opportunities, visit arin.net/fellowship.

Registration is open for the ARIN 56 Public Policy and Members Meeting, and we are excited to provide opportunities for both virtual and in-person participation. We hope you can join us for this free event on 30-31 October 2025! The agenda includes discussions of multiple draft policies, reports from our Board of Trustees and Advisory Council, videos from candidates running in the 2025 ARIN Elections, and more. Learn more and register at arin.net/arin56.

Recent blogs categorized under: Fellowship Program

• Introducing the ARIN 56 Fellows
• Apply Today for the ARIN 56 Fellowship Program
• Introducing the ARIN 55 Fellows
• Apply Today for the ARIN 55 Fellowship Program