Women in IP: Meeting on mentoring and related topics

8:45 - 9:10a

Check in  

9:10 - 9:20 

Initial welcome and introduction of Valencia Martin Wallace

Event moderator: Robin Hylton, Special Programs Examiner, International Patent Legal Administration, USPTO

9:20 - 9:35

Welcoming remarks 
Valencia Martin Wallace, Deputy Commissioner for Patents, USPTO

9:35 - 9:45

Program overview

Karin Ferriter, Deputy Chief Policy Officer on detail to Deputy Commissioner for Patents Valencia Martin Wallace, USPTO

In this program, we will continue to share information on current mentoring programs–including staff exchange programs and voluntary employee organizations (VEOs)–in intellectual property offices/organizations (IPOs). In addition, we will share experiences in the collection of demographic data and explore where further collaboration and initiatives are possible. 

9:45 - 10:05

Introduction of participants

Robin Hylton

Executive videos

• Pascal Faure, Chief Executive Officer, French Patent and Trademark Office (INPI) 
• Michael Schwager, Director General, IP Australia 

10:10 - 10:40

Facilitated ice breaker

Executive videos

• Maria Paz, Coordinator of the Promotion Area of the Distinctive Signs Directorate, National Institute for the Defense of Free Competition and the Protection of Intellectual Property (INDECOPI) 
• Loreto Bresky, Director General, National Institute of Industrial Property of Chile (INAPI) 

10:45 - 11:00

Coffee, tea and, water break – Hosted by the Patent and Trademark Office Society (PTOS)

11:00 - 11:45

Session 1: High level segment

In this segment, IPO leaders will express their support for our collaborative work. 

Speakers (in-person, virtual, and video): 

11:00 -11:05 | Executive videos 

• Abdelaziz Babgigi, Director General, Moroccan Industrial and Commercial Property Office (OMPIC) 
• Koichi Hamano, Commissioner, Japanese Patent Office (JPO) 

11:05 – 11:15 | Leadership from IPOs

• Konstantinos Georgaras, CEO, Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)
• Vivienne Katjiuongua, CEO, Business and Intellectual Property Authority, Namibia (BIPA)  
• Vaishali Udupa, Commissioner for Patents, USPTO

11:15 – 11:25 | Katherine K. Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO

11:25 -11:30 | Executive videos 

• Rowel S. Barba, Director General, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines’ (IPOPHL)  
• Lisa Jorgenson, Deputy Director General, Patents and Technology Sector, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

11:30 to – 11:45 | Leadership from IP offices  

• Shira Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights and Director, U.S. Copyright Office
• Rakhat Kerimbaeva, Director, State Agency of Intellectual Property and Innovation under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzpatent)

11:45 - 12:30

Working lunch part 1: Facilitated conversations (in-person only)  

12:30 - 1:45

Session 2: Facilitated working lunch (in-person only) 

Topic: MENTORING 

The USPTO Facilitation Team from the Enterprise Training Division, Office of Human Resources: 

• Dorene Matheis, Chief Learning Officer and Chief of Enterprise Training Division 
• Kathy Camou, Branch Chief, Career Development Branch 
• William R. Perry, III, Human Resources Specialist 

In this first facilitated session, we will discuss mentoring programs in IPOs, and how we can support mentoring of staff in other offices, including, for example, via staff exchanges. We will also discuss goals of mentoring programs and assess the current environment of mentoring at IPOs. 

Snack hosted by the Bangladeshi-American Intellectual Property Organization

1:45 - 2:00

Virtual IPO presentation: Overview of European Union Intellectual Property Office’s (EUIPO) staff mentoring programs

Moderator: Sean Hunter, Senior Advisor for Deputy Commissioner for Patents Valencia Martin Wallace, USPTO 

Speaker: Anna Michaleli, Head of Talent and Career Services, Human Resources Department, EUIPO  

There will be time for brief Q&A and discussion.

2:00 - 2:35

IPO presentations on mentoring and gender equality

In this session, we will hear from the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) and the European Patent Office (EPO) as they address disparities in gender equality within the IP system and the importance of mentoring. 

We will learn how KIPO has developed targeted strategies and policies to promote women creators and how the DPMA is working to promote gender equality in its workforce. EPO will present on their mentor and gender equity initiatives. 

There will be time for brief Q&A and discussion. 

Moderator: Robin Hylton 

Speakers:  

• Jung Dae Soon, Director of International Cooperation Division, KIPO 
• Dr. Birgitt Fill, Deputy Director General, Patents and Utility Models, DPMA 
• Roberta Romano-Goetsch, Chief Sustainability Officer, EPO (virtual)

2:35 - 2:45

Coffee, tea, and water break - Hosted by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) – USPTO Chapter

2:45 - 3:45

Continuation of discussion: IPO presentations on mentoring

In this session, we will hear from colleagues from the EUIPO about their external staff exchange programs, Seconded National Experts (SNE) Programme and Staff Exchange at EUIPO (SEE) Initiative. 

We will also hear from CIPO on the Canadian Patent Law and Examination Workshop (CPLEW). CPLEW is an examiner-run, seven-day workshop where guest examiners from other IPOs visit CIPO to learn the particularities of Canadian patent law and examination practice and compare them with participants’ office practice.  

There will be time for Q&A and discussion. 

Moderator: Sean Hunter 

Speakers: 

• Fernando Perez Abad, Staffing and Working Conditions Service, Human Resources Department, EUIPO 
• Francois Capcarrere, Official, Talent and Career Service, Human Resources Department, EUIPO 
• Andrew Davidson, Program Manager International for the PCT and PPH, CIPO

3:45 - 4:45

Session 3: Staff exchanges as a form of mentoring

In this segment, we will cover staff exchanges by hearing about shared experiences from a successful inter-office program. Participants from the CIPO and the BIPA will be interviewed for an intimate discussion of the CIPO-WIPO Executive Workshop.

There will be time for Q&A and discussion. 

Moderator: Elizabeth Dougherty, Director of the Eastern Regional Office, USPTO

Speakers:  

• Konstantinos Georgaras, CEO, CIPO 
• Vivienne Katijiuongua, CEO, BIPA 
• Saida Aouididi, Chief of International Affairs, CIPO

4:45 - 5:00

Session 4: VEOs supporting inclusion of women in IP

In this session, we will explore other benefits of VEOs and begin to discuss how we can encourage and support employee participation in them. 

IP Australia will give a presentation on how they work with the ChIPs organization and Homeward Bound. They will also provide an update on their in-house mentoring program, which is run by their gender equity network, the Inspire Mentoring Program. 

There will be time for brief Q&A and discussion. 

Moderator: Robin Hylton 

Speaker: Jennifer Hutchinson, General Manager, Governance and Executive Gender Champion, IP Australia (virtual) 

5:00 - 5:15

Day one wrap-up

Moderators: Karin Ferriter and the USPTO Facilitation Team 

9:00 - 9:10a

Day two welcome and outlook  (Singapore room)

9:10 - 9:40

Session 5: The role of executive advisors supporting affinity groups

A distinguished panel of USPTO executives will share their insights and perspectives on the importance of providing strategic guidance as the affinity groups they advise develop impactful programs.  

Moderator: Glorimar Maldonado, Diversity Officer 

Speakers:  

• Valencia Martin Wallace, Deputy Commissioner for Patents and Executive Advisor, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• Robin Evans, Deputy Commissioner for Patents and Executive Advisor, USPTO Bright Knights Chapter of Federally Employed Women (FEW)  
• Bismarck Myrick, Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity and Executive Advisor, American Romanian Intellectual Property Association (ARIPA) and Caribbean Intellectual Property Association (CIPA) 
• Fred Steckler, Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Advisor, USPTO Military Association (UMA) (virtual)

9:40 - 10:30

DigitALL session – expanding technology access for ALL – “Building and sustaining mentorship programs and impact”

Our panelists talk about the role that mentors have played in their careers, how technology shapes the mentor/mentee experience, and challenges that women in their countries face when they do not have access to technology – and what IPOs can do to resolve such challenges. 

Moderator: Tomeka Oubichon, Deputy Director of the Eastern Regional Outreach Office, USPTO 

Speakers:  

• Aizel Anolin, Alternate Chairperson of the Gender and Development Focal Point System, IPOPHL 
• Altyn Sapargali, Head, Intellectual Property Rights Center, National Institute of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Justice, Republic of Kazakhstan (Qazpatent) 
• Saliika Urakeeva, Senior Specialist, International Relations Division, Kyrgyzpatent 

10:30 - 10:40

Coffee, tea and water break - Hosted by the American Romanian Intellectual Property Association (ARIPA)

10:40 - 11:00

Photo session

A USPTO photographer will be present throughout the three-day workshop to capture our experiences and activities. In this short segment, we will pose for group, individual, and working group photos.

11:00 - 12:00p

Session 6: Voluntary employee organizations (VEOs) providing mentoring

In this session, we will hear from VEOs that support mentoring, either formally or informally. 

Moderator: Gwen Blackwell, Senior Advisor for Deputy Commissioner for Patents Rick Seidel and NSBE Managerial Advisor, USPTO  
 
Panelists:  

• Sean Hunter, Senior Advisor for Deputy Commissioner for Patents Valencia Martin Wallace and Committee Chair for DEIA, NSBE, USPTO 
• Kathleen Murphy, Director, Patent Branch and Champion for Diversity and Inclusion, CIPO  
• Marsha Banks-Harold, Treasurer, Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE), USPTO 
• Michelle Ankenbrand, Network of Executive Women (NEW), USPTO 
• Eric Yoon, Board Member and New Examiner Engagement Committee Chair, Korean-American Intellectual Property Organization (KAIPO), USPTO (virtual) 
• Mariela Reyes, former Executive Board Member, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), USPTO 
• Amanda Lotheringen, Senior Manager Copyright and IP Enforcement, Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), South Africa (virtual) 

12:00 - 1:30

Lunch on your own 

1:30 - 2:00

IPO presentation: Diversity, inclusion, mentorship and capacity building (Paris/Berne room)

Dr. Mhlakaza provides an overview of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) strategic framework for diversity, inclusion, and capacity building initiatives. 
 
Moderator: Robin Hylton 

Speaker: Dr. Graham Mhlakaza, Head of Human Capital, ARIPO 

2:05 - 2:50

Continuation of discussion in sessions 1 – 6: How can we work together to support mentoring and VEOs?  

In this session, we will review what we’ve learned in previous sessions and do some light table work in small groups. The groups will consider how we can work together to support mentoring (and staff exchanges) and VEOs. 

Moderators: USPTO Facilitation Team

2:50 - 3:00

Coffee, tea and water break – Hosted by the Asian Pacific American Network (APANET)

3:00 - 5:00

Session 7: Breakout groups to address mentoring and affinity groups

Moderators: USPTO Facilitation Team  

Topic: Mapping out a practical vision and setting a strategic direction  

Singapore room: Affinity groups and VEOs 

• How are affinity groups and VEOs defined? What are the differences? 
• Are there existing groups we could make our offices aware of? 
• Are there other ways of supporting ongoing dialogue until we reconvene? (for example, LinkedIn Groups or WhatsApp?) 

Venice room: Global staff exchange mentoring program 

• What level of staff would be eligible to participate? 
• Should we have a cap on the number of mentors/mentees we accept in a pilot phase? 
• Who would review the matches? 
• Are there ideas/activities you’ve heard presented that might not translate into your country? How could those differences impact how we move forward? 
• Other practical details to setting up a global program. 

Breakout room “report outs” 

5:00 - 5:15

Day two wrap up

Moderators: Karin Ferriter and the USPTO Facilitation Team

5:30 - 7:30p

USPTO formal reception at the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum  
(in-person only) 

9:00 - 9:10a 

Day three welcome and outlook

Robin Hylton

9:10 - 10:30 

Session 8: Discussion of the collection of demographic data

In this session, we will exchange information about the collection of demographic data. Brief presentations from each speaker will be followed by engaging Q&A and dialogue to help attendees uncover where future research would be most helpful.   

Moderator: Andy Toole, Chief Economist, USPTO

Speakers:  

• Julio Raffo, Head of Economics and Statistics Division, WIPO (virtual) 
• Elodie Carpentier, Gender Research Fellow, Innovation Economy Section, Department for Economics, WIPO (virtual) 
• Michelle Saksena, Senior Research Economist, USPTO 
• Brent Lutes, Chief Economist, U.S. Copyright Office  
• Yann Ménière, Chief Economist, EPO (virtual) 
• Elias Collette, Director General, Corporate Strategies and Services Branch, CIPO

10:30 - 10:45 

Coffee, tea and water break - Hosted by the Korean-American Intellectual Property Organization (KAIPO)

10:45 - 11:45 

Session 9: Breakout groups on the collection of demographic data, World IP day and staff demographic information

11:45 - 1:30p

Working lunch (in person only)
Continuing discussions on:

• World IP Day planning
• Collection of demographic data
• Staff demographic information

1:30 - 2:45 

Session 10: Taking our work forward 

As we prepare to close our three-day workshop, our facilitators will lead a lively, open dialogue about how we can work together to support diversity and inclusion. For example, should we consider developing a leadership program for women in IPOs? What other joint activities and programs would be effective? 

Moderators: USPTO Facilitation Team  

We’ll also cover: 

Continued discussion of possible deliverables from breakout sessions, brainstorming, discussions, and presentations from days 1 and 2.  

Potential future work and how best we can continue to work together to: 

• Tell more stories of female inventors, creators, and IP professionals around the world? 
• Achieve a regular cadence of virtual and in-person meetings? 
• Establish tools and resources to stay connected between meetings? 
• Establish knowledge hubs.

2:45 - 3:00 

Coffee, tea and water break - Hosted by the USPTO Military Association (UMA)

3:00 - 5:00p 

Day three wrap-up / event closing

We end our three-day workshop with a thorough review of our event highlights and what a “charge forward” pledge for action looks like. The USPTO Facilitation Team will walk us through high-level summaries and key take-a-ways before final wrap-up and dismissal. 

Moderators: Karin Ferriter and the USPTO Facilitation Team