WASHINGTON (April 25, 2025) — Today, the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP) announced the addition of two leading intellectual property experts to its Advisory Board: Marylee Jenkins and Susan Natland.
“C4IP is pleased to welcome Marylee and Susan — two distinguished voices in the IP community — to our Advisory Board,” said Frank Cullen, executive director of C4IP. “Each brings decades of experience and unique insights that will strengthen our efforts to support inventors, creators, brand-owners, and entrepreneurs who power the American economy.”
“I am honored to join the Advisory Board and look forward to supporting and participating in the Council’s mission of fostering strong and effective IP rights,” said Jenkins. “Working with the Council, I hope to expand the recognition of IP as a critical component of our national security to ensure that our nation’s innovations are both protected and strategically leveraged for a secure economic future.”
“Protecting companies’ hard-earned assets and protecting consumers from confusion were key pillars during my term as Chair of the USPTO Trademark Public Advisory Committee,” said Natland. “IP is critical to the U.S. economy, and I look forward to working with C4IP to continue supporting our IP ecosystem.”
- Marylee Jenkins is a partner at ArentFox Schiff and formerly served as Chair of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC)
- Susan Natland is a partner at Knobbe Martens and formerly served as Chair of the USPTO’s Trademark Public Advisory Committee (TPAC)
“Marylee and Susan bring a wealth of expertise from key leadership roles at the USPTO and its advisory committees,” said David Kappos, board co-chair of C4IP and former USPTO director under President Obama. “They have each helped shape critical aspects of patent and trademark policy. Their deep understanding of both the system and its stakeholders will prove invaluable to C4IP’s mission of protecting inventors and fostering innovation.”
“I have worked with both Marylee and Susan as they chaired the USPTO’s Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees, respectively, and have seen firsthand their unwavering commitment to American innovation, entrepreneurship, and brand protection,” said Andrei Iancu, board co-chair of C4IP and former USPTO director under President Trump. “They understand the real-world impact of IP policy and bring a dynamic blend of practical experience and visionary thinking to our Advisory Board. I am thrilled to welcome them as we continue to advocate for IP policies that empower American inventors and brand owners.”
More information about each advisory board member can be found here.
About the Council for Innovation Promotion: The Council for Innovation Promotion is a bipartisan coalition dedicated to promoting strong and effective intellectual property rights that drive innovation, boost economic competitiveness, and improve lives everywhere.