Tune in to our fireside chat about the role of women driving technological advancements and innovation within the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) ecosystem, from proposal to commercialization. You don’t want to miss this event. Join us virtually to learn and become inspired on November 21, 1-1:45 p.m. ET.
Agenda
(Subject to change. All times ET)
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1:00-1:05 p.m. | Leadership greeting and welcome NaThanya Ferguson, Director, Innovation Outreach Division, USPTO |
| 1:05 - 1:40 p.m. | Fireside chat This discussion will highlight the role of women driving technological advancements and innovation within the SBIR ecosystem.
|
1:40 - 1:45 p.m. | Closing remarks NaThanya Ferguson, Director, Innovation Outreach Division, USPTO |
Speaker biographies
NaThanya Ferguson, Director, Innovation Outreach Division, USPTO
NaThanya Ferguson serves as the director of the USPTO’s Innovation Outreach Division (IOD) and leads the development and delivery of USPTO’s national outreach programs tailored to inspire, educate, and empower underserved and underresourced independent inventors, small businesses, and entrepreneurs.
Under Ms. Ferguson’s leadership, the IOD team works collaboratively with federal government agencies and national organizations to increase the awareness of the importance of intellectual property protection and provide access to key resources to assist innovators with using their intellectual property to reach their full potential.
Ms. Ferguson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business and management from Johns Hopkins University.
Carlos Gutierrez, Innovation Outreach Specialist, Innovation Outreach Division, USPTO
Carlos Gutierrez started his career with service in the United States Marine Corps working in the field of logistics. He completed two tours overseas, one of which was in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Persian Gulf. Subsequently, Gutierrez held roles in the private sector, including several years as an Executive Team Leader with Target retail stores and Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at The University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley. Additionally, Gutierrez holds a U.S. patent, was the founder of several companies, and has served as an advisor for several nascent-stage tech startups. He has written and managed grants that have been awarded a total of $1.73 million.
Gutierrez has served with several agencies within the federal government, including the Department of Energy, the Minority Business Development Agency, and the Small Business Administration. Gutierrez also previously served as the Director of the Texas Veterans Business Outreach Center.
Gutierrez has a background in business development and program management in the private sector, state government, federal government, academia, and nonprofit spaces. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in management from the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, and a Master of Science in technology commercialization from The University of Texas at Austin.
Pallabi Saboo, Founder and Executive Chair, Board of Directors, Harmonia Holdings Group, LLC
Pallabi has an extensive track record of building and operating successful companies. As a founder and in her past roles as CEO and Chair of the board she guided Harmonia through dramatic growth. She continues to serve the company as a Strategic Advisor with a keen focus on the company’s M&A strategy.
Pallabi serves on several boards including the Fairfax Economic Development Authority Board, George Mason University Board of Trustees, The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) DC Board, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce Strategic Leadership Board of Advisors, and Northern Virginia Technology Council’s executive circle. She has been widely honored for her business acumen, success, and commitment to community with numerous awards including being named among the region’s top 25 female CEOs, a top 100 Smart CEO, Technical Trailblazer Federal Contractor, most influential Federal 100 leaders, Asian Business Leader of the year, Top 10 Women Who Mean Business, and Virginia Businesswomen in Leadership.
Contact us
You can email us at We@uspto.gov for more information or if you have any questions or comments about the event.
Sign up to receive emails about startup resources and free WE events.
The Women's Entrepreneurship initiative provides a community-focused program that lifts women up and taps their potential to increase equity, job creation, and economic prosperity through their ideas, insights, and innovations. We look forward to continuing to support women entrepreneurs and promote education around intellectual property. Please visit the Empowering Women's Entrepreneurship webpage for upcoming events, mentorship opportunities, resources, and tools available through the USPTO.
Accessibility accommodation
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please submit your request to the contact information listed above.