April Edition | From our President - Sue Muggleston
As we wrap up our momentous 50th Anniversary Conference, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating this significant milestone. Although circumstances prevented me from attending in person, I was with you all in spirit, sharing in the excitement and camaraderie that only a LESANZ gathering can offer.
This year marks not only a half-century of innovation and leadership in the field of intellectual property commercialisation but also reflects the vibrant community we've built together. Our association's strength lies in its diversity and the shared commitment to fostering expertise and success in all our professional endeavours.
It was a privilege to acknowledge the contributions of past presidents and members who have shaped LESANZ over the decades. Their legacy and the ongoing efforts of our current members ensure that our association will continue to thrive and lead for the next 50 years. Congratulations to John Walker, who was bestowed with the 4th Honorary membership for his continuous commitment to the Society over many decades. We also celebrated a cheeky "Legend" award to Rob McInnes for his ongoing service including more recently on the 2024 Sydney conference Committee. Both were awarded their gongs at the Gala dinner aboard The Jackson (pictured below).
The conference itself stood as a profound testament to the hard work and dedication of many, especially underscored by the collective efforts of the Conference Organising Committee. Working alongside Anna Grocholsky, Roz Murray, Mark Pullen, Jason Sprague, Rob McInnes, and our indispensable Secretariat, Beth Benson, was a true pleasure. Their relentless dedication to crafting an enriching programme transformed this gathering from a mere celebration into a pinnacle of professional development and networking.
As we look forward, let us carry the spirit of this 50th Anniversary with us – embracing innovation, upskilling, and above all, maintaining the warm, inclusive ethos that makes LESANZ unique. In our sights is the full iteration of the Mentoring program, after a very successful pilot concluded. Applications will be requested shortly and as each Region celebrates the 50th Anniversary, please take a moment to share in celebrations and join your fellow members to toast our 50 years of excellence!
Warm regards,
Sue
Intro to the Board/Trustees Series | Anna Grocholsky - Treasurer
I have always been interested in different things, using my left and right sides of my brain…. Fashion design, art, music, science, problem solving… always curious. It might sound weird, but this has probably contributed to why I have become a successful strategist, negotiator and intellectual property specialist.
Instead of doing fashion design (recession, low likelihood of employment) I chose Materials Science. Not fabric… (polymers, ceramics, metals). Working in industry making things was fun. I needed to know about IP for our stage gate / business case process. Must have been okay at Freedom of Operation searching. When a colleague left to become a trainee patent attorney, I was asked to join the in-house IP team. After a bit I thought I better…. This was the start of a 20+ year career helping researchers turn their ideas into products and services.
After the career pivot LES was the first professional organisation that I joined to learn the ropes. One of the best things I have ever done.
I broadened my qualifications through management, creative problem solving, law and business. I’m Harvard Business School Alumni, a registered trade marks attorney and is one of a handful of Australians with the attainment of being a Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) + Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP). The last course completed was in Behavioural Science (to Nudge for good).
Hence, as some of you know, I call myself a Swiss Army knife!
After working in industry, I have had numerous roles in Universities and Institutes. Heading up the Technology Transfer Office at Macquarie University was hugely rewarding significantly increasing the number of deals by successfully changing the culture (in the positive direction) regarding IP and commercialisation. Streamlining systems and educating by rolling out tools and resources such as the Research Engagement, Impact and Commercialisation Framework, IP Guiding Principles, Start-up Checklist / Researcher led start-up term sheet, and my Researcher Impact Canvas (released under Creative Commons for all to use).
I’ve recently joined Charles Sturt University as their inaugural Director, Commercialisation Pathways helping all faculties and institutes, which is full of opportunities and discoveries.
On a personal side, and again being curious, I jumped on the band wagon getting a Flow Hive (beehive) through Kick Starter back in 2015. My garden, suburb and bees are majestical. So much so I have won numerous Sydney Royal Easter Show ribbons, however last year I took home the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Award of Excellence Medallion for Champion Small Producers Exhibit – Liquid Honey.
Past Presidents Series | Rob McInnes | Officially an LESANZ "Legend"
Rob is the Principal of his solo law practice Rob McInnes IP Advisory, which he founded after 30 years in large law and IP firms, including Mallesons and Spruson&Ferguson. His work mainly involved planning, negotiating and drafting licence agreements and R&D contracts, and conducting due diligence on new technology ventures. In addition to his career as a lawyer, Rob has a degree in chemistry and has been an in-house Manager of IP and Technology Transfer with a multinational company.
Rob is a Certified Licensing Professional and has been active in LES since the early 1990s. His other roles in LES included chairing the LESI life sciences and industry/university/government transactions committees, and serving on the LESI board as secretary and VP. As well as being a regular at LESI annual conferences, this year will mark his 20th LES USA & Canada annual meeting.
In recent years Rob has turned his attention to investing, training, mentoring and board and advisory committee roles. He is an active angel investor with a portfolio of around 25 investments, a limited partner in several VC funds, and a mentor or expert-in-residence in a number of start-up programs.