Meet the Winners of the 2026 AUTM Board Elections

Congratulations to Kathleen Butcher, Felicia Metz, Laura Schoppe, Maithili Shroff, and Patricia Stepp who have been elected to join the AUTM Board of Directors. Nearly 25% of AUTM Members voted from a slate of 29 accomplished tech transfer professionals to choose the five new Directors.

Each will serve a three-year term starting in February 2026 at the 2026 AUTM Annual Meeting in Seattle.

Kathleen Butcher serves as the Director of License Strategy & Business Development at Northwestern University's Innovation and New Ventures Office (INVO). With an MBA and a Master of Science in Law, she brings a unique blend of business acumen and legal expertise to the field of tech transfer. Since joining Northwestern in 2018, she has played a pivotal role in streamlining contract management, enhancing license compliance, and improving revenue generation. Her leadership has led to the creation of a licensing and contracts team that bridges operations and invention management, fostering cohesive strategies and communication across departments. Prior to her tenure at Northwestern, Kathleen held various roles in media licensing and rights management at Viacom Media Networks and CMT, where she negotiated thousands of contracts and managed multimillion-dollar licensing budgets. Her career reflects a consistent focus on applying sound business principles to tech transfer and intellectual property management. Kathleen is also an active member of AUTM, serving in multiple volunteer roles including Chair of the Agreements & Finance track and mentor in the AUTM Mentorship Program. Her commitment to teamwork, transparency, and professional development underscores her contributions to the tech transfer community.

Felicia Metz is the Associate Director at the University of Maryland's UM Ventures, Office of Technology Commercialization. She holds a JD and is a registered patent attorney with more than two decades of experience in technology transfer. Felicia has led and directed teams responsible for intellectual property, contracts, compliance, and commercialization activities. Her leadership roles have included Acting Director and Assistant Director of Intellectual Property, where she provided strategic oversight and mentorship. She has also served on various university committees and has been instrumental in policy development and administrative improvements. Felicia began her career at the University of Maryland as an Intellectual Property Associate and steadily advanced through roles of increasing responsibility. She has been actively involved with AUTM, contributing to multiple committees and serving as an instructor and panelist at numerous events. Her dedication to the field is further demonstrated through her volunteer work with organizations such as Lawyers for Good Government and her participation in leadership cohorts. Felicia’s extensive experience and commitment to education and advocacy make her a distinguished professional in the field of intellectual property and tech transfer.

Laura Schoppe serves as Chief Commercialization Officer at TechPipeline Inc. (Fuentek LLC), bringing more than two decades of leadership in tech transfer consultancy. She founded Fuentek in 2001, guiding its growth into a globally recognized firm serving universities, government labs, corporations, and nonprofits across multiple continents. Laura's career includes extensive experience in intellectual property portfolio management, open innovation, strategic communications, and negotiation of licensing and research agreements. She previously held engineering and management roles at GE-Aerospace/Lockheed Martin, overseeing advanced R&D projects for naval programs. Laura holds degrees in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, and technology marketing. Laura has also served on multiple boards and advisory committees, including the AUTM Foundation as Chair, UCLA’s Technology Development Group, and NC FIRST. Her contributions include strategic planning, mentorship, and advocacy for innovation and commercialization. She has been recognized with the AUTM Chair’s Award and other honors for lasting impact on the profession. Laura's experience spans restructuring tech transfer offices, enhancing operations, and fostering entrepreneurship through training and startup support. She brings a comprehensive understanding of the tech transfer ecosystem and a commitment to advancing AUTM’s mission through strategic leadership and community engagement.

Maithili Shroff is the Licensing Manager at the University of New Hampshire, a leading R1 institution. She has been instrumental in driving innovation and commercialization efforts, managing all aspects of the university's tech transfer operations. Her leadership has contributed to significant growth in licensing revenue and innovation disclosures, earning her accolades such as the University of New Hampshire President’s Award for Excellence and TechPipeline’s Excellence in Licensing Award. Maithili also founded and manages the Innovation Fund program, teaches intellectual asset management, and mentors law school residents and interns. She holds a Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) credential and actively contributes to AUTM and Equalize Startups committees. Prior to her current role, Maithili completed a LifeArc-AUTM Technology Transfer fellowship and earned a PhD in Life Sciences through a prestigious Marie Curie Fellowship at the University of Dundee. Her early career includes extensive experience in medical laboratories and hospital settings in Dubai, where she worked on genetic diseases and regenerative stem cell therapy. She graduated top of her class in biological sciences from the University of Leicester and has held various research positions in the UK and UAE. Her career reflects a strong commitment to bridging science and business, with numerous awards and speaking engagements highlighting her impact in the field of tech transfer.

Patricia Stepp is the Assistant Vice President for Technology Transfer at Rice University, where she leads the Office of Technology Transfer. She oversees a multidisciplinary team and drives strategic initiatives to enhance innovation and operational efficiency. Her role involves building relationships across Rice University, the Texas Medical Center, and the broader Houston innovation ecosystem. Previously, she served as Director of Intellectual Property – Life Sciences at Skysong Innovations, managing Arizona State University's life sciences patent portfolio and contributing to the development of faculty-led startups. Her career also includes roles as a Patent Agent at Sealed Air Corporation and Pepper Hamilton LLP, where she managed patent portfolios and supported intellectual property strategies across various industries. Patricia holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arkansas. Her early career included research roles at the University of Pittsburgh and the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry in Prague, focusing on cartilage repair and molecular biology. She has been actively involved in volunteer leadership, founding diversity initiatives and serving on boards such as the ASU Biotechnology board. Her unique blend of scientific, legal, and operational expertise positions her as a leader in tech transfer, with a commitment to collaboration and innovation. Patricia has also contributed to numerous publications and speaking engagements in the fields of intellectual property and life sciences.