Karla Stokes

Nominee details

Title: Mrs.
Name: Karla Stokes
Position: Non-executive Director
Organization: Internet Association of Australia Limited; Watch nominee video

Karla-Stokes

Biographical info

Education/qualifications

Executive MBA, Australian Graduate School of Management, University of New South Wales
Driving Digital Strategy, Harvard Business School

Relevant Board Experience

I bring strong governance and strategic oversight experience that directly complements the technical expertise of the Executive Council. I currently serve on the Board of the Internet Association of Australia, where I contribute to board-level decision-making across strategy, financial oversight, risk, and organisational sustainability within a member-based, not-for-profit environment.
Previously, as a senior executive at APNIC, I was responsible for governance oversight of the Registry function, including policy implementation, risk management, and alignment with organisational objectives. This experience has given me a detailed understanding of how governance decisions translate into operational, financial, and community outcomes.
My board and executive experience enables me to contribute constructively to EC deliberations by asking the right questions, testing assumptions, and supporting decisions that balance neutrality, accountability, and long-term resilience.

Senior Management Experience

I have more than two decades of senior leadership experience across technology-enabled organisations, industry associations, and member-based institutions. My roles have spanned strategy, operations, finance, risk, and organisational transformation, often in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
At APNIC, I led the Registry stream with responsibility for strategic direction, operational performance, policy execution, and risk management across a diverse Asia-Pacific membership. This required strong commercial judgement, disciplined decision-making, and the ability to balance day-to-day operational needs with long-term sustainability.
I have extensive experience leading distributed teams, working across cultures, and engaging with governments and regulators across the region. My leadership style is collaborative and outcomes-focused, with a strong emphasis on transparency, accountability, and delivering value to members.

Corporate Group

The Internet Association

Nominee statement

I am standing for the APNIC Executive Council because I care deeply about the long-term health of the Internet in our region, and about APNIC’s role as a trusted, neutral steward of critical Internet resources.

During my time as Senior Director of the Registry at APNIC, I worked at the intersection of policy, operations, finance, risk, and community expectations. That role required balancing immediate operational demands with long-term sustainability — ensuring that decisions were sound, transparent, and aligned with APNIC’s mission and values.

I bring a governance-led perspective to leadership. My experience spans commercial accountability, organisational transformation, and board-level decision-making, alongside deep familiarity with registry operations and the policy environment in which APNIC operates. This combination allows me to ask the right questions, test assumptions, and contribute constructively to strategic discussions without losing sight of operational realities.

I have worked extensively with members, stakeholders, and governments across the Asia-Pacific region and understand both the diversity of the community and the importance of inclusive, well-governed institutions. I am independent, neutral, and committed to acting in the best interests of the membership as a whole.

If elected, I will bring clear judgement, strong governance discipline, and a collaborative approach to the Executive Council, supporting APNIC to remain resilient, trusted, and fit for the future.

Nominated by

Organization:: HawkNet Labs Pty Ltd

Reason for nomination

Karla is a highly valued member of the Internet community. Throughout her tenure as the Senior Director of the Registry stream at APNIC, she was responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and governance oversight of the Registry function, including policy implementation, risk management, and alignment with APNIC’s broader organisational objectives. Her role required strong commercial awareness, sound decision-making, and the ability to balance operational performance with long-term sustainability. This depth of experience places her in an excellent position to help shape the direction and future of APNIC. She not only brings knowledge regarding the operation of a registry, she also brings a plethora of business and governance knowledge, which when combined with the existing technical knowledge of the current EC, will place the EC in the best possible position to lead the organisation.

She has also been elected to the Board of the Internet Association of Australia, a non-profit internet exchange with over 28 locations across Australia. In this capacity, she contributes to board-level governance, strategic planning, and financial oversight, demonstrating her commitment to strong governance practices and accountable leadership. Her election is a testament to her desire to work with, and help strengthen, the broader Internet community.

Through her work in recent years, Karla has had the opportunity to engage with communities across the Asia-Pacific region. She understands the needs and challenges of a diverse membership base, and the leadership and governance expertise she brings will prove to be an invaluable resource to the community. Her neutrality in the industry further demonstrates that she will perform her role, if successfully elected, with the highest level of integrity and professionalism.

Electoral Committee Eligibility Statement

The Electoral Committee has determined, based on the information available to it, that the Nominee meets the eligibility criteria to be nominated for the APNIC EC.

This statement may be subject to change. If you believe that any nominee is not eligible based on the requirements under the APNIC By-laws, please contact election-conduct@apnic.net.

The Electoral Committee has oversight of the eligibility and conduct of nominees in the EC election. For more information click here.

Back to nominees