Steve became the first Chief Executive Officer of the World Wide Web Foundation in September 2008. He is leading the launch of the Foundation, and working to fund and start high-impact initiatives to advance both the Web itself and its ability to empower all people on the planet.

Steve has held leadership and research positions within for-profit and not-for-profit, international organizations. His previous position was as CEO of the World Wide Web Consortium — the standards organization responsible for the technologies that make the Web work. From 1997 through 2001, Steve served as the first Coordinator of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty International Data Centre in Vienna, Austria. There he was responsible for establishing the data center, global communications infrastructure, and standards for data exchange between more than 300 world-wide sensors and 170 nations. From 1984 to 1997, Steve led research initiatives — first at Science Applications International Corporation and then as a program manager at Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency — to develop advanced concepts for real-time sensor monitoring, intelligent analysis and international data communications. Since 1993, Web technologies have played the central role in support of the sharing of data, information and knowledge within the complex systems that he has designed and deployed.

Steve received his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and his B.S. from the Pennsylvania State University.

Stéphane has played an important role in the creation of the World Wide Web Foundation since 2008. In January 2009, he became Program Manager, responsible for the design and implementation of a new Foundation program targeted at leveraging the power of Web technologies to empower people in parts of the world where they need it most.

Previously, Stéphane joined the World Wide Web Consortium in 1995. Leading the W3C Device Independence Working Group from 2001 until the end of 2005, he was a key participant in the development and launch of the W3C Mobile Web Initiative. Stéphane also took part in the management of the Voice and Multimodal Activities. From 2006, he led W3C’s work on the Mobile Web for Social Development, which is looking at how to extend the frontier of the Web to make it relevant, usable and useful for rural communities and under-privileged populations of developing countries. Before W3C and the Web Foundation, he worked in Artificial Intelligence (knowledge acquisition and modeling) at INRIA.

Stéphane graduated from ESSTIN (degree in telecommunications and network engineering), in Sophia-Antipolis, France.

Daniel has been a leader in the development and launch of the Web Foundation since early 2008. He is also the World Wide Web Consortium’s Associate Chair for Europe and Director of International Relations. Daniel joined the W3C team in July 1996. In 1997, he launched the Web Accessibility Initiative and was the Technical Director of the activity until 2003. As such, he participated in the design of some important standards like HTML, CSS, and WAI Guidelines. From 2000 to 2005, Daniel served as W3C Europe Operational Director. Daniel has served as W3C liaison on the ICANN Board of Directors and is also a member of the UN Internet Governance Forum advisory group.

Prior to joining W3C, from 1990 to 1996, Daniel was working in Cambridge, MA, USA, as a software designer and programmer for the X Window System Consortium and before that the OSF/TheOpenGroup. From 1986 to 1990, he was a Unix/Graphics engineer at the Bull Research Center in France.

Daniel holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science in Digital Typography and Networking from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis.

Max joined the Web Foundation 1st June 2010

Prior to joining the Foundation, Max worked as Web technology specialist for Browser-maker Opera and video startup Joost.  Previously, Max spent 6 years at the World Wide Web Consortium, leading activities such as Voice and Multimodal and managing Working Groups such as MathML, XSL and Device Independence. Before joining W3C, Max worked as a computer science research associate at the  University of Bath, UK.

Max holds a Ph.D in Computer Science in Computer Graphics from the University of Lille, France.

Craig joined the Web Foundation in July 2008 to help develop the initial financial and business operations. In 2009, he began building the Foundation’s development strategy and coordinating its major fundraising initiatives.

Prior to joining the Web Foundation, Craig consulted startup technology-based companies who were looking to solicit and acquire equity financing from venture capital firms. In 2006, Craig joined Energy Advantage – an energy management and consulting firm – as Business Development and Market Research Coordinator where he was responsible for exploring emerging business opportunities.

Craig received a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Honours) and pursued a secondary degree in Philosophy from Queen’s University in Canada. While in his final year, Craig was admitted into the Tricolour Venture Fund program and MBA course on Financing New Ventures.

Craig has also traveled extensively throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, and the South Pacific.

Shivali joined the Web Foundation in November 2009, after serving as one of the Foundation’s first volunteers.  She is helping to establish and run a high-quality, international financial operation.  Her responsibilities include budgeting, accounting, payments, tracking, research, administration, and support for tax and audit activities.

Before coming to the Web Foundation, Shivali held positions at KPMG/BSR, P.R. Buhta and  H.B. Dye, specializing in tax and accounting work.

Shivali received a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Mumbai, India; is a Chartered Accountant in India, and a Certified Public Accountant in the United States

Phiona joined the Web Foundation in July 2010 to perform an array of tasks including office management, meeting logistics, travel support and research. Prior to joining the Web Foundation, she worked in administrative and accounting roles in the finance industry, utilities industry and most recently in the film and television industry. Phiona has worked in several countries including Australia, New Zealand, England, Canada and the United States.

Phiona holds an Associates Degree in eBusiness Support, and a Certificate in Digital Media.