Virtual Water Cooler Chat

ADAPT with Gail Su | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 43

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat on ADAPT features guest interviewer Nicole Cohen, VPG's Litigation Assistant (also known as Nico the tree frog in the VPG ecosystem.) Nicole chats with Gail Su, Senior Counsel on the Patent Transactions Team at Google.  
Ms. Su is an intellectual property attorney and United States registered patent attorney with experience in all forms of patent-related and intellectual property-related transactions, including inbound and outbound licensing, standard essential patent licensing, video and audio patent pools, complex technology transactions, cross-border transactions, and M&A. Prior to joining Google, Ms. Su was intellectual property counsel for Hewlett Packard Company and then, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, where she supported HP and HPE’s global supply chain, partnerships, emerging technologies, tax, and M&A teams.  
Ms. Su is a Co-Founder of the Advancing Diversity Across Patent Teams initiative, or ‘ADAPT’, and volunteers with Street Law and the Legal Education Access Pipeline program (LEAP). She is passionate about supporting the next generation of intellectual property professionals and giving every person the opportunity to be part of the next generation. Ms. Su received a BS and a BA from The University of Texas Cockrell School of Engineering and Plan II Honors Program, respectively, and a JD from Harvard Law School. 
Connect with Ms. Su on LinkedIn. 
 
Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.   
Learn more about VPG here. 

DEI & Mental Health with Samantha “Dr. Sam” Rae | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 42

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Dr. Samantha Rae Dickenson, also known as “Dr. Sam”. Dr. Sam is the leading DEI Strategist and CEO of DSRD Consulting. She's also the creator of the innovative app, DEI Offload™, designed specifically to support the mental health of individuals working in the DEI sector, and her program, DEI Blueprint®, designed to provide strategy development support to DEI and HR professionals.
With over a decade of experience, Dr. Sam has brought transformative DEI solutions to organizations like Goodwill, Save the Children, and NIH, impacting over 10,000 employees. Her work also extends to the academic sector, where she's worked with leaders from over 50 universities across the nation to embed DEI into their processes. Dr. Sam holds a bachelor’s in biology, a master's in public health, and a doctorate in leadership and organizational management; her work focuses on the intersection of DEI and business systems optimization and development.
In the past two years, Dr. Sam has elevated her company's global presence, forging partnerships with change agents in more than 50 corporations to improve their workplace culture, including AWS, Meta, Lyft, Intel, Microsoft, and Zoom, and has supported over 500 DEI practitioners worldwide. A highly sought-after speaker, Dr. Sam shares her expertise on global stages and in prestigious publications such as Forbes and Fortune. Her passion is deeply rooted in leveraging her experiences to cultivate more inclusive and equitable environments, making her a distinguished voice in the field of DEI. 
Connect with Dr. Sam on LinkedIn.  
 
Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.   
Learn more about VPG here. 

A Chat with LiLan Ren, Administrative Patent Judge at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board at the United States Patent and Trademark Office | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 41

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Administrative Patent Judge LiLan Ren. Judge Ren, or LiLan, received her undergraduate and master's degree in chemical engineering; attended the University of Houston Law Center as a night student while working as an engineer for a major petroleum company. After graduation, she spent a year in private practice followed by a clerkship at the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.  
 
LiLan returned to private practice after the clerkship and worked on patent litigation and prosecution matters in various technological areas including semiconductors, oil and gas exploration, and renewable energy. She joined the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in 2016 and has remained in this position ever since. In addition to performing her regular duties at the PTAB, LiLan actively participates in multiple committees at the Board for stakeholder outreach and other efforts to strengthen the overall patent system. Outside her legal career, LiLan has been involved in her local community as a volunteer for animal rescue organizations and programs to help seniors and the disadvantaged. 
Connect with LiLan on LinkedIn. 
 
Disclaimer: LiLan Ren is speaking in her personal capacity and her views do not represent the views of the United States Government. 
 
Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.   
Learn more about VPG here. 

A Chat with Meredith Schoenfeld, Associate Solicitor, Solicitor’s Office, USPTO | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 40

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Meredith Schoenfeld, Associate Solicitor, Solicitor’s Office, USPTO. 
Meredith is an Associate Solicitor at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), where she serves as legal counsel on intellectual property law matters. At the USPTO, Ms. Schoenfeld defends decisions by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, among other responsibilities. Ms. Schoenfeld is a founding member of the USPTO’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emerging Technology (ET) Working Group. This working group is comprised of AI experts from across the agency and has been responsible for several initiatives at the USPTO, including the issuance of request for comments, reports on AI and intellectual property policy, and the formation of the AI/ET Partnership, which was announced by Director Vidal in June 2022. Ms. Schoenfeld also acts as a government liaison to the National AI Advisory Committee (NAIAC).  
Prior to her position at the USPTO, Ms. Schoenfeld worked as a senior patent attorney at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico and as an associate at a large IP law firm in Washington D.C. Ms. Schoenfeld is a graduate of Georgetown University Law School and holds a BSE in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania. 
Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn. 
 
Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.   
Learn more about VPG here. 

A Chat with Jessica Nguyen, Chief Legal Officer of Lexion | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 39

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Jessica Nguyen, Chief Legal Officer of Lexion, the AI-powered legal intake and contract lifecycle management system – helping attorneys manage tasks and contracts in one place. 
Jessica plays an integral role in managing Lexion’s legal function and product and go-to-market strategy while also building a platform advocating for General Counsels, legal professionals, and women with over 15,000 LinkedIn followers, regularly speaking at events and webinars with hundreds or thousands of registrants. She has an extensive in-house legal career at companies of various sizes and stages and has been the first legal hire that built out the legal function of a company 3 times. 
Prior to Lexion, she was the General Counsel and first in-house attorney of PayScale, a Microsoft Office365 attorney, and the first in-house attorney at Avalara. Jessica is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law and is an award-winning General Counsel, with  honors including the 2023 Washington State Bar Association Legal Innovation Award, 2020 “Startup GC of the Year” by Corporate Counsel magazine, 2019 Top 100 Legal Influencers by The Business Journals, 2019 Best Under 40 by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and 2018 Puget Sound Business Journal 40 Under 40. 
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn. 
 
Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.   
Learn more about VPG here. 

A Chat with Micheal Binns, Head of Patent Portfolio Strategy, Patents & Trade Secrets at Meta | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 38

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Micheal Binns, Head of Patent Portfolio Strategy for Meta’s Patents & Trade Secrets.  
Micheal chairs Meta’s Black@Legal affinity group, which focuses on ensuring an equitable experience for diverse employees in the legal department. He is also a founder and board member of ADAPT, a DEI collective, the board chair of Page Turners Make Great Learners in Atlanta, a board member of the National Council on Patent Practicum, and a trustee of the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law.  
Connect with Micheal on LinkedIn.  
 
Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.   
Learn more about VPG here. 

Honor Your Light with Kavita Battula | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 37

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat on ‘Honor Your Light’ features Kavita Battula, Senior Associate at Medler Fero Woodhouse and Mills PLLC.  Kavita is a biotech patent attorney who has 20+ years of experience in top law firms and in-house. A certified Pilates, yoga, and cycle instructor, she is also an integrative nutrition coach, and is dedicated to building community, sharing experiences, overcoming fear, and breaking barriers; she is intensely passionate about health and wellness and is happiest when whole-foods plant-based meals for her friends and family.  
Kavita's first love is books, and she is an avid reader and writer. You'll see her contributions on various blogs and soon on her own website. She is the founder and CEO of KaVie, LLC, focused on bringing more love and light into the world. 
Connect with Kavita on LinkedIn.  
 
Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.   
Learn more about VPG here. 

A Chat with ‘Iolani L. Bullock, Vice President of DEI at The Carlyle Group | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 36

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features ‘Iolani L. Bullock, Vice President of DEI at The Carlyle Group.  
‘Iolani is a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Georgetown University McDonough School of Business and graduated Magna Cum Laude from New York University with a B.A. in Africana Studies, Marketing, and Communications. In addition to her impressive career, ‘Iolani has recently become a children's book author, publishing Lenox Takes Flight two years ago. Her commitment to education and representation continues through her upcoming children's book, LITTLE Lenox Takes Flight, set to release in 2024.  
Connect with ‘Iolani on LinkedIn.  
 
Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.   
Learn more about VPG here. 

Turnaround with Lisa Gable | Virtual Watercooler Chat Episode 35

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Lisa Gable. Lisa Gable is a former US Ambassador to the World Expo to obtain billions of direct foreign investments in the US, to help build Intl’s brand management system as the company ultimately achieves a 73% share of the global semiconductor market. Lisa is CEO, UN delegate, and Wall Street Journal/USA Today’s best-selling author. Lisa speaks and leads on partnership, mentorship, diversity, relationship building, and big ideas. Lisa strives to support the next generation of leaders and organizations that are solving the world’s biggest problems. Lisa serves as Chairperson of the Diplomatic Courier’s futuristic think tank, World in 2050, and is in Dallas, Texas.   
Lisa is a thought leader who focuses on creating innovative solutions. Fortune 500 C-Suites leaders bring Lisa in as she gets the job done, using her “Diagnostic Diplomacy” process by identifying the seven most common problems that are the underlying cause of every challenge.  From health care and technology to geopolitical discord,  
Lisa is a five-time, award-winning WSJ & USA Today bestselling author of the incredible strategic handbook, Turnaround: How to Change Course When Things Are Going South. 
Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn.  
 
Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.   
Learn more about VPG here. 

Hope Floats with Angela Evans | Virtual Water Cooler Chat Episode 34

This episode of Virtual Water Cooler Chat features Angela Evans, Founder of Waters of Hope. Angela has over twenty years of experience as an educator and initially met Ashley Cheung through an online Airbnb experience. She has since explored various creative writing and publishing projects with her and, most recently, worked with Ashley and Michelle Kim on Building a Leadership Habitat exploring leadership principles through the lens of safari animals, and Bridging Dreams and Reality exploring various social themes facing adolescents through the interpretation and storytelling of Michelle’s illustrated artwork.  
 
Angela has published three novels and nine eBooks and is currently working on two more novels, plus grant-writing, ghostwriting, and consulting for the Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) team. She lives in North Carolina, and enjoys kayaking, going on adventures, and travel of any kind. For Angela, living fearlessly and traveling is very important.  
 
Waters of Hope is a nonprofit that provides quality of life experiences to cancer patients and survivors. You may find Waters of Hope on Facebook. 
 
Connect with Angie via email: Paddlersplace1967@yahoo.com 
Connect with Angie via phone: (828) 505-6333 
 
Virtual Patent Gateway (VPG) reduces overhead costs by providing PTAB attorneys with on-demand and affordable paralegal support services. Virtual Patent Gateway Founder Ashley Cheung has a passion for supporting the next generation in the workplace and is committed to developing a growth mindset within VPG.   
Learn more about VPG here.