Hello all,
The Call for Candidates for the 2025 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees selection is now closed. After verification by the Elections Committee and the Wikimedia Foundation, 12 (twelve) candidates are eligible. In order to be eligible, all candidates had to complete the required questions in the candidate application and meet the eligibility criteria https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Candidate_application#Candidate_criteria .
See the list of the all eligible candidates on this meta-wiki page https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Candidates and learn more about the experience, diversity, and expertise they hope to bring to the Board.
As we have more than 10 eligible candidates, a shortlisting process https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Shortlisting_process will take place. Representatives of Wikimedia movement affiliates that are currently compliant with their reporting obligations (list of all Affiliates currently compliant https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_movement_affiliates/Affiliates_Status_Report/Archive/2025-07) will soon receive a communication detailing how they can participate in the shortlisting process.
Key dates of the next steps:
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July 15 – 28: Shortlisting process
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By July 29: Announcement of the final list of 6 (six) shortlisted candidates -
July 29 – August 26: Campaigning period -
August 27 – September 10: Voting period
Learn more about the full timeline on this meta-wiki page https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025#Timeline .
On behalf of the Elections Committee,
Abhishek Suryawanshi
On Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 11:42:54 AM UTC-4 Elections Committee wrote:
Hello all,
The call for candidates for the 2025 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees selection is now open from June 17, 2025 - July 2, 2025 at 11:59 UTC. The Board of Trustees oversees the Wikimedia Foundation's work, and each Trustee serves a three-year term https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Legal:Bylaws#(B)_Term.. This is a volunteer position.
This year, the Wikimedia community will vote starting in August and ending in September 2025 to fill two (2) seats on the Foundation Board. You can see the timeline of the full selection process here https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025#Timeline .
*Traits*
Wikimedia is a global movement and seeks candidates from the broader community. Ideal candidates are thoughtful, respectful, community-oriented and align with the Wikimedia Foundation mission. The Board is looking for candidates with experience guiding organizational strategy, navigating change, and driving long-term strategic objectives. Candidates should think about what experiences and perspectives they will bring to the Board.
The Board would like to find perspectives and voices that are essential but underrepresented in our movement. Accordingly, all candidates will be asked to include statements in their application that speak to their experiences in the world, the perspectives they bring to the movement and share how these help them to include those not already here.
*Time Commitment for Trustees*
Trustees serve a three year term and can serve up to three consecutive terms https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Bylaws#(B)_Term.. The expectation is that Trustees serve on at least one of the Board’s committees https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_committees#Board_of_Trustees_committees. The time commitment is about 150 hours per year, excluding travel. This time is not evenly spread throughout the year. The time is concentrated around meetings.
*Requirements to be a Trustee*
English is the language of business for the Board. Candidates must be fluent in written and spoken English. Previous experience serving on a collective decision-making body, especially Boards or committees, and significant experience in Wikimedia (or equivalent) movement building and organizing are expected from candidates. You can review the candidate guidelines here. https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Candidate_application
*How to Apply*
Candidates from all projects and communities who meet the criteria to become a Wikimedia Trustee are welcome to apply. Could you - or someone you know - be a good fit to join the Wikimedia Foundation's Board of Trustees? Encourage them to run for election. Candidates can find information and submit their nomination on the candidate application https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Candidate_application page. If you want to learn more about the role of Trustees or have questions, refer to this candidate resources https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Resources_for_candidates page.
*Community questions for candidates*
The questions for the Board of Trustees candidates to answer have been published as part of the candidate application. From the list of questions submitted by the community, the Election Committee selected 5 questions which the candidates are required to answer. Learn more about the community questions on this Meta-wiki page https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Questions_for_candidates .
Best regards, Abhishek Suryawanshi On behalf of the Elections Committee and the Governance Committee