Laura Peter

Laura Peter is a nationally recognized leader in intellectual property, innovation policy, and technology commercialization, with more than 25 years of executive experience spanning federal government, industry, and academia. She currently serves as Executive Director of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she provides strategic oversight of the university’s intellectual property and research commercialization activities and advises senior leadership on innovation policy and external engagement. Ms. Peter previously served as Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), a presidentially appointed position. As the principal advisor to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property, she co-led one of the world’s largest intellectual property institutions, overseeing agency operations, a $3.5 billion annual budget, and a workforce of more than 13,000 employees. She directed national and international IP policy initiatives, oversaw USPTO regional offices and global IP attachés, and played a central role in shaping U.S. policy on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing. She also served as a judge on matters before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Throughout her career, Ms. Peter has been a prominent voice on the role of strong intellectual property systems in advancing economic growth, national security, and public trust in innovation. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Bayh-Dole Coalition, supporting policies that strengthen university research commercialization and public-private partnerships. She is also an Advisory Board member of the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP), a member of the Executive Board of the Global Intellectual Property Alliance (GIPA), and an Advisory Board member of the Alliance of U.S. Startups & Inventors for Jobs (USIJ). Through these roles, she regularly engages with policymakers, universities, industry leaders, and international stakeholders on innovation, technology transfer, and IP policy. Ms. Peter is a frequent author and sought-after speaker on intellectual property and innovation policy issues. Her commentary and analysis have appeared in leading outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, IPWatchdog, RealClear Health, and The Daily Signal. She is a regular speaker at national and international conferences, universities, and policy forums, addressing topics such as patent policy, AI and intellectual property, research commercialization, and U.S. innovation leadership. Earlier in her career, Ms. Peter held senior legal and executive roles in the technology sector, advising companies and startups on intellectual property strategy, commercialization, and governance. She has been recognized as one of the World IP Review’s “Influential Women in IP” and is widely regarded as a trusted advisor at the intersection of innovation, law, and public policy. Ms. Peter holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Cornell University, a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago, a Juris Doctor in Intellectual Property Law from Santa Clara University, and a Master of Laws in International Business Law from King’s College London.