Strategies for Competitive Innovation: Managing Mental Health Watercooler
Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Time: Noon - 1 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual Event
Cost: $0
Join us on June 11, 2025, for a special Watercooler event hosted by the Strategies for Competitive Innovation Committee, focusing on the intersection of mental health, innovation, and inclusive excellence within tech transfer offices.
In recognition of Pride Month and Juneteenth, we will celebrate the diversity, resilience, and unique mental health experiences of both the LGBTQIA+ and Black communities, highlighting how these intersecting identities inform and strengthen our innovation ecosystem. This interactive session will explore how inclusive environments in technology transfer not only drive competitive innovation but also promote the mental well-being of all team members. We’ll discuss practical strategies for building workplaces where everyone feels empowered to express their authentic selves, voice their perspectives, and thrive—key ingredients for both individual and organizational success.
Ed Ergenzinger, JD, PhD, will serve as our moderator. He is a distinguished patent attorney, mental health advocate, and adjunct professor at Wake Forest Law, where he developed and teaches the seminar “Mental Health and the Legal Profession.” With 25 years of experience in patent law, substantial in-house roles, and a personal journey with bipolar I disorder, anxiety, and complex PTSD, Ed brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the conversation. He is a prolific author and speaker, with over 125 publications and regular contributions to WebMD and Psychology Today.
In celebration of Pride month and Juneteenth, this watercooler will explore the concept of intersectionality and its importance to Technology Transfer. Topics to be discussed include:
- Diverse perspectives – Acknowledging that individuals have multiple intersecting identities which contribute to their experiences and perspectives.
- Inclusive innovation – Innovation thrives on diverse perspectives and experiences.
- Equitable access – Intersectionality highlights the interconnected nature of systems of privilege and oppression. Tech Transfer professionals should consider how systemic barriers and inequalities may affect inventors’ access to resources, opportunities and support.
- Enhancing collaboration and partnerships – Embracing intersectionality fosters collaboration and partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
If you have questions regarding registration, contact AUTM at info@autm.net or Phone: +1-202-960-1800.
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