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.

Contact her for more information about AUTM’s exhibits, sponsorship and advertising opportunities. Casey 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.

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 also manages marketing of the Annual Meeting and professional development events, and is editor of AUTM Insight newsletter. She also helps manage the Better World Project and Awards. 
Lauren has long experience with digital marketing, especially websites and eNewsletters. After graduating from Michigan State University, she began her career as a journalist in Washington, D.C., before moving to public relations and digital marketing for a wide range of clients.  
She lives on Michigan's West Coast and in her free time she loves traveling, hiking, reading, and visiting the beach.

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. 

Colleen is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and holds a degree in communications from the University of Notre Dame, a Certificate of Nonprofit Management from the University of Chicago, and a masters in nonprofit administration from Mendoza Business School at the University of Notre Dame.

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

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.

Contact him for help with AUTM’s Licensing and Salary Surveys, or the AIM, TransACT and STATT Databases.

Prior to AUTM, Paul did field and corporate marketing for the tech sector. With degrees in electrical engineering and 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.