In September, 6,000 community members from more than 180 communities cast their vote in the 2024 Wikimedia Foundation Board Elections. The elections were held to fill four community-and-affiliate-selected spots on the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. They resulted in the selection of two first-time Trustees–Maciej Artur Nadzikiewicz and Christel Steigenberger–as well as two returning Trustees–Dr. Victoria Doronina and Lorenzo Losa. The Board includes both members selected by the Wikimedia communities and board-selected members who collectively volunteer their time to provide oversight to the Wikimedia Foundation.
The Board has now completed its due diligence review on the selected Trustees, and all have officially been appointed to the Board. We’d like to congratulate the four selected Trustees and share a bit about first-time Trustees Maciej and Christel.
“..At our last [Board] meeting on December 11, we welcomed Maciej and Christel, veteran community members who bring their experience as volunteers and community leaders, as well as their commitment to our shared mission of free knowledge. We also appointed Lorenzo and Victoria to another term and appreciate the experience and continuity they will also provide to the Board.”
– Nataliia Tymkiv, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Maciej Nadzikiewicz is an editor, organizer, and activist with extensive experience in governance within the Wikimedia movement, including his past roles as a member of the Wikimedia Poland Governance Board, an administrator of Polish Wikipedia, and as a Board member and Secretary for Wikimedia Europe. Most recently, Maciej led the core organizing team of Wikimania 2024, which took place in his home country of Poland. Outside of the Wikimedia movement, Maciej has been a member of the Working Group on Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and Disruptive Technologies at the Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs since 2023.
“We are at a pivotal time in the evolution of the internet, and I believe it is more important than ever to ensure that the Wikimedia projects continue to be relevant in this new era. I want to bring my experience as a Wikimedian, leader, community organizer, and member of the first digital generation to guide the organization and the movement on how we can best support our users and volunteers while growing and curating knowledge on the Wikimedia projects.”
– Maciej Nadzikiewicz
Christel Steigenberger is a Wikimedia volunteer administrator, social activist, and community organizer. She started her journey as a Wikimedian in 2014 on the German-language Wikipedia, where she served as an administrator from 2015–2018. In 2023, Christel was granted administrator rights on Wikimedia Commons, where much of her volunteer work is now focused. Christel also previously worked at the Wikimedia Foundation in both Trust and Safety and community support roles. Currently, Christel is working in social work as a Social Pedagogue supporting patients with mental health issues.
“My journey in the Wikimedia movement started as a volunteer, continued as a staff member at the Wikimedia Foundation, and now as a Trustee of the Board. I find joy in contributing to this ‘best place on the internet,’ and I want to bring to the Board my focus on closing knowledge gaps, attracting and supporting contributors from around the world, and helping the Wikimedia projects to stay technologically fit and ready for the future.”
– Christel Steigenberger
Christel and Maciej have terms that will run until December 2027. Current Trustees, Dr. Victoria Doronina and Lorenzo Losa, have been reappointed to the Board for another term, which also runs through December 2027.
The Board thanks its two departing members, Dr. Dariusz Jemielniak and Rosie Stephenson-Goodknight, for their service and contributions. The next Wikimedia Foundation Board selection process will take place in 2025.
Want to know more about the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees? Check out this short informational video or visit the Board’s page on Meta-Wiki.
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