The APNIC Elected Leaders series celebrates the journeys and contributions of individuals who have stepped up to serve in volunteer leadership roles, helping to advance Internet operations across the Asia Pacific region. Through their stories, we hope you’ll gain insight into what motivates them, feel more connected to our community, and be inspired to get involved and help shape the future of the Internet.
When Shaila Sharmin first entered the Internet industry, her focus was firmly on the operational side of networking. Working as a network engineer in Bangladesh’s ISP sector, her days were spent configuring routers, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and ensuring networks ran reliably for users. It was hands-on work that provided a deep understanding of how Internet infrastructure functions in practice.
But working so closely with Internet infrastructure also sparked a deeper curiosity. Beyond the day-to-day work of running networks, Shaila began to wonder how the underlying systems that govern Internet resources functioned.
“Over time, I became curious about the systems behind these operations, particularly how Internet number resources are managed and distributed.”
That curiosity gradually expanded her perspective beyond technical operations and into the broader Internet governance ecosystem.
Discovering the policy process
Shaila’s introduction to the regional Internet community came when she attended APRICOT 2016 / APNIC 41 in Auckland as a Fellow.
“What really attracted me was that the process is bottom-up and consensus-based,” she explains. “The community itself develops the policies that guide how Internet number resources are distributed and managed in the region.”
For someone with a strong operational background, the experience was eye-opening. It revealed how the technical realities of running networks feed directly into policy discussions that affect the entire regional Internet ecosystem.
From that first meeting onward, Shaila became a regular participant in APNIC conferences and policy discussions, gradually deepening her involvement in the community.
A perspective shaped by diverse sectors
Over the course of her career, Shaila has worked across several sectors, including ISPs, WiMAX networks, and the financial industry, each offering a different perspective on the role of Internet infrastructure.
“In ISP and WiMAX environments, the focus was on expanding connectivity and managing resources efficiently,” she says. “In the banking sector, where I currently work in cybersecurity, the emphasis is more on reliability, resilience, and trust.”
Today, as a Cyber Security Architect at Prime Bank PLC, she works in an environment where a stable and secure Internet infrastructure is critical to the operation of financial services.
“Financial services rely heavily on stable and secure Internet infrastructure. That experience reinforced my belief that Internet policies are not just technical frameworks; they influence how critical services operate across industries.”
Beyond her professional role, Shaila also contributes to the local technical community. She volunteers as an Executive Committee member of Bangladesh Network Operators Group (bdNOG), helping organize bdNOG events and initiatives that bring together network operators, engineers, and policymakers to share operational experience and strengthen the Internet ecosystem in Bangladesh.
This cross-sector experience has shaped how she views Internet policy — not simply as a technical process, but as one that underpins the reliability and trustworthiness of digital services across society.
Stepping into community leadership
Shaila’s involvement with the regional technical community grew steadily through participation in Network Operator Groups such as bdNOG and SANOG, alongside continued engagement with the APNIC community. As her experience grew, so did her interest in contributing more actively to the APNIC Policy Development Process (PDP).
“My involvement grew gradually through participation in regional communities and attending APNIC meetings,” she explains. “What drew me to the APNIC PDP was the realization that the way Internet number resources are managed directly affects how networks grow and operate. As a network engineer, I became increasingly interested in how IPv4 and IPv6 resources are allocated and governed across the Asia Pacific region.”
Taking on the role of Co-Chair of the APNIC Policy Special Interest Group (Policy SIG) during APNIC 52 was, she says, a natural step.
“Stepping up as a Policy SIG Co-Chair felt like a natural extension of that involvement.”
The role requires balancing leadership with neutrality — helping guide discussions without influencing their outcome.
“It requires maintaining neutrality and helping the community have productive discussions so that consensus can emerge.”
The APNIC community reaffirmed its confidence in Shaila’s leadership when she was re-elected as Policy SIG Co-Chair during APNIC 56 and APNIC 60, and she has some guidance for emerging leaders.
“Neutrality is extremely important. The Chair’s role is to facilitate discussion, not to influence the outcome, Shaila explains. “Communication skills also matter a lot, because participants come from diverse technical backgrounds and cultures. A good Chair ensures everyone can share their views.”
“A Policy SIG Co-Chair should have a balanced combination of technical understanding, knowledge of Internet number resource policies, and awareness of how the Internet has evolved operationally in the region. Experience in network operations helps in understanding the practical impact of policy proposals, while familiarity with the policy development process ensures discussions remain constructive and aligned with community interests.”
Building a more inclusive community
Beyond policy discussions, Shaila has also been involved in initiatives aimed at strengthening community participation across the region.
One such initiative was helping to establish the APAC-ICT-Women mailing list — a platform designed to support women working in the ICT sector across the Asia Pacific region.
“Inclusive communities do not happen automatically,” she says. “They require encouragement and intentional effort. Many talented females hesitate to participate because they feel unsure if their voice matters.”
Initiatives that create supportive environments, she believes, can help broaden participation and encourage new voices to engage in discussions that shape the Internet’s future.
Advice for new participants
For newcomers interested in contributing to the APNIC PDP, Shaila emphasizes that participation begins with learning and observation.
“My advice is simple: Start by listening and learning.”
Joining the Policy SIG mailing list, reading policy proposals, and attending APNIC meetings, even virtually, can help participants understand how the process works and where their operational experience can contribute. Regional forums such as SANOG, PacNOG and local NOGs also play an important role in building connections and sharing operational knowledge.
Looking ahead
As the Internet continues to evolve, Shaila believes the policy community will need to focus on several ongoing challenges. One of the most significant is the continued transition to IPv6, alongside managing the remaining IPv4 address space responsibly.
“Managing scarcity while maintaining fairness remains an important challenge,” she notes, referring to ongoing discussions around IPv4 transfers and allocation mechanisms.
For Shaila, the strength of the Internet’s policy ecosystem lies in the collaborative model that underpins it.
“The Internet has always evolved through open collaboration,” she says. “The Policy Development Process is one of the ways the community ensures that the Internet remains stable, open, and sustainable for the future.”
The views expressed by the authors of this blog are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of APNIC. Please note a Code of Conduct applies to this blog.