Smart & Biggar hosts virtual International Womxn’s Week event to share IP insights and lessons from female business leaders
On Mach 3rd, Smart & Biggar will host a virtual breakfast and panel in partnership with Invest Ottawa and in celebration of International Womxn’s Week. “IP Breakfast Breakthrough: Insights and Lessons from Women Executives” will feature IP experts and business owners sharing their experience with developing IP strategy to support business objectives.
We have invited a panel of local Ottawa female business leaders who have experienced the advantages and pitfalls of navigating the IP landscape for their own businesses. Through a moderated discussion they will explore how IP can be leveraged as a key element of any good business strategy.
“Many business owners and executives view IP rights as only relevant to inventors, but IP rights take many forms and are commercial assets that can create commercial value for any business.” Says Smart & Biggar partner, Christine Genge who will moderate the speaker panel on March 3rd.
Christine is a member of Smart & Biggar’s executive committee and a partner in our Ottawa office. As a patent agent and lawyer, Christine advises businesses from start-ups to Fortune 50 companies and innovators on securing patent, trademark and industrial design protection. Christine assists international clients in securing IP protection in Canada, advising on portfolio management, enforcement and freedom-to-operate, and works with Canadian innovators to secure IP protection domestically, in the U.S. and abroad.
Panelists include:
Melanie Ang - CEO & Founder, Backcountry Wok Inc
A marine biologist turned food entrepreneur, Melanie is the founder of Backcountry Wok. Backcountry Wok offers dehydrated Asian-inspired and vegan meals in compostable packaging for people on the go - in nature, at work, or anywhere food tends to be unhealthy, bland, and in single-use packaging. A portion of profits go to funding sustainability programs for youth.
Catherine Lemay - Assistant General Counsel – IP, HEXO Corp
Catherine is a chemist, lawyer, and patent/trademark agent with a 20-year career in private practice, in-house and in government. She joined Hexo in 2019 and is responsible for all aspects of IP, including strategically protecting, growing and leveraging the patent and trademark portfolios, managing IP-related litigation and negotiating and drafting of various types of IP-related agreements.
Lucille Perreault (MBA, CMA, CPA, PhD) - Essiac Inc
A seasoned executive with over 20 years experience in technology and finance, Lucille currently owns and manages a multi-million-dollar health supplement firm with worldwide trademarks. Lucille also teaches at Carleton University, where her research focus is in finance, taxation, and innovation, and is currently working on a research paper on spin-offs and patent activity.
Register to attend the event here.
Smart & Biggar is Canada's largest firm practising exclusively in intellectual property and technology law, with offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary. We are leaders in intellectual property and technology law and have been serving clients for over a century.