A regular speaker on technology transfer issues, Steve has presented on Capitol Hill and internationally on topics ranging from the evolution of the technology transfer profession to start-up formation.

Before joining AUTM, Steve served as Associate Director for Commercialization at Wake Forest Innovations where he was responsible for commercializing high-impact inventions, and drafting, negotiating and executing a wide variety of licensing and start-up transactions.

Steve is a registered U.S. Patent Agent and a past Board member of multiple Wake Forest-affiliated start-ups. Steve has also led the Winston-Salem Technology Council to retain and grow local technology businesses to strengthen the economy.

Before joining AUTM in 2016, she was the Deputy Head of Marketing and Communications at Cambridge Enterprise, the innovation office of the University of Cambridge in England.

While Leef is a big fan of corporate communications, she bleeds ink, having spent 16 years as a reporter for The Washington Post. There she covered every manner of story – from terrorism to the folly of the weather. She still fancies herself an advocate for the public good.

In her role, Casey works to research, identify and establish collaborative relationships with AUTM's strategic partners. She holds a B.S. in Marketing and a CMP (Certified Meeting Planner) designation. Although born and raised in New Jersey, she now resides in the beautiful green mountains of Southern Vermont.

Armed with degrees in biological sciences and print journalism, she was a science and medical journalist for 25 years, including two stints as editor in chief of medical newsmagazines. Most recently, she was a medical evidence analyst, and enjoys applying her data analysis skills to the AUTM Licensing survey.

 

She collaborates across AUTM to design thoughtful and creative visual communications. She holds a B.A. in Sociology and Environmental Policy plus a lifetime of dabbling in the arts both traditional and digital. When she’s not glued to her Wacom tablet, you can find her in her garden nurturing a “deeply rooted” affinity for native plants.  
 

Tonya is an accomplished event, meetings and project management professional with proven success in logistics, virtual and hybrid meetings, and virtual productions.  She lives in Atlanta, Georgia. 
 

Lauren is editor of AUTM Insight and manages the AUTM Better World Project and Awards. She is a bona fide digital marketing veteran. After graduating from Michigan State University, she began her career as a journalist in Washington, D.C., before moving to work as a Communications Director on Capitol Hill, then in public relations and digital communications for a wide range of clients.

She lives on Michigan's West Coast and is an avid traveler, hiker, and reader, always happy to take book recommendations.

Liz is a veteran Senior Executive with a demonstrated history in the non-profit organization meetings industry specializing in logistics, contract negotiation and meeting assessment. She lives in Kentucky and Michigan.

Contact her if you have questions about any of the AUTM educational offerings. She is also responsible for international training engagements. Barbara holds a degree in Psychology and Education, a Certificate in Volunteer Management, and is a Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA).  She works in the Chicago area. 

Contact her if you need assistance with webinar training or instructional design. Sarah is a professionally certified educator and holds two degrees in music. She joins AUTM after several years of curriculum development work providing creative opportunities to underserved students and the special education community. Sarah thrives when spending time with friends or in nature, and she loves being a cat/dog mom to Kali and Malachi. 

Prior to joining AUTM, Colleen worked for membership organizations in commercial investment, accounting, real property, and tech. Colleen’s longest tenure was for the National Association of REALTORS® for more than 12 years driving excellence in education and member programs. Colleen is a Returned US Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Thailand and holds her bachelor’s and masters from the University of Notre Dame and a Certificate of Nonprofit Management from the University of Chicago. Colleen has held her CAE since 2009. Colleen resides on the northside of Chicago with her two daughters.

In her role, Carolina works to promote and market all of AUTM’s programs and the value of technology transfer. She holds an M.B.A. in marketing and a B.A. in art history. She grew up in a bilingual household and is always ready to travel to keep on learning, especially when it comes to art and culinary adventures. 

She has spent the majority of her career in Business Administration and Commercial Finance. Kristen lives in North Carolina and enjoys shopping and traveling.
 

Prior to joining AUTM, Stephanie worked for an international organization directing refugee programs promoting the education of refugee children globally.  She holds a Master’s Degree in international relations and a PhD in international education. She lives in the Chicago area and loves traveling abroad to learn new cultures.  

Contact her if you need help with the Canadian or Western Regional Meetings and Small Office Course. Sammi has a demonstrated history working in the non-profit association management industry to support the continuing education and maintenance of certification efforts of Members.

Prior to AUTM, Paul did field and corporate marketing for the tech sector. With degrees in electrical engineering and an MBA in marketing, he’s always been curious about how the latest gizmo works and makes life better for others ⏤ clearly a big fan of the Better World Project.

Mike previously worked as Director of the University of Michigan’s DC Office for twenty years, where he was active on tech transfer and IP issues.  He chaired the AAU Task Force on Intellectual Property, IT and Tech Transfer for many years, as well as working with AUTM on advocacy issues.
 
Before his work with Michigan, Mike worked at the National Association of Broadcasters and was a legislative aid/press secretary for Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY).  He has received numerous honors, including both AUTM’s Volunteer of the Year Award and the Bayh-Dole Award.  He is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
 

Melissa has over 20 years of experience in non-profit association management. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Austin College and enjoys reading, traveling, and listening to live music.

A recovering former federal employee with over 30 years' of experience across several agencies, Paul is a policy and practical expert in technology transfer from federal labs.nPrior to joining AUTM, he most recently served as the Director of the Technology Partnerships Office at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.  He also led interagency technology transfer policy issues including serving as the Co-Chair of the National Science and Technology Council Lab to Market Subcommittee, leading the Interagency Workgroup for Technology Transfer and Interagency Workgroup for Bayh-Dole, and as a past Chair of the FLC.