NEWS FLASH

PHOTO BY MICHAEL CONNOR/USPTO

Nancy U. Kamei has been appointed the USPTO’s first chief public engagement officer and director of its Office of Public Engagement (OPE). Launched in spring 2024, the OPE advances the USPTO’s mission of increasing participation in the innovation ecosystem by consolidating many of the agency’s outreach, education, and customer experience leaders under one office, enhancing the agency’s commitment to reach more Americans with intellectual property resources. Before joining the USPTO, Kamei managed the national outreach program for the Small Business Administration’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs.