The Hon. Michelle K. Lee

As the former Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Michelle K. Lee provided leadership and oversight to one of the largest intellectual property offices in the world. In this role, Lee served as a principal advisor to the President through the Secretary of Commerce on both domestic and international intellectual property matters. She was instrumental in promoting innovation domestically and spearheading international harmonization efforts, supporting the administration’s objectives to bolster economic growth.

Prior to her tenure as Deputy Director, Lee was appointed in 2012 as the first Director of the Silicon Valley United States Patent and Trademark Office. In this capacity, she was responsible for establishing and leading the Silicon Valley office, in addition to advising the USPTO on various policy matters. This role followed her impactful contributions as a member of the USPTO’s Patent Public Advisory Committee, where she was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to advise on patent policies, goals, performance, and operations.

Currently, Michelle K. Lee is the CEO and founder of Obsidian Strategies, where she leverages her extensive background in AI, gleaned from her time at the MIT AI Lab and her executive roles at major tech companies including Google and Amazon. At Obsidian Strategies, Lee focuses on AI-driven business strategies, assisting companies in harnessing the power of AI to enhance business processes and innovation. She is renowned for her expertise in artificial intelligence, frequently speaking at major conferences such as The World Knowledge Forum, South by Southwest, and CES. Additionally, Lee has been recognized multiple times for her leadership and professional achievements, contributing significantly to discussions on technology and policy at national levels, including testifying before Congress approximately ten times.