Chinenye Okafor is the Global Head of Intellectual Property at Fluence Energy, a Siemens and AES company, with over 13 years of experience in the IP field. She holds an Electrical Engineering degree from Yale University and has worked as an Electrical Engineer, USPTO Patent Examiner, and for large private law firms before transitioning in-house to lead Fluence’s IP strategy. Chinenye has been instrumental in developing & growing Fluence’s IP portfolio from its early days to thriving post IPO, overseeing its expansion to 15+ global offices. She excels in patent strategy, litigation, and portfolio management, developing innovative, business-driven solutions that protect Fluence's technologies and enhance its market position. She leads the strategic development and management of a diverse range of intellectual property assets, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Chinenye also plays a key role in supporting the company's innovation pipeline, developing a global IP strategy, balancing fast, aggressive protection with practical business solutions, and ensuring that new products and technologies are fully protected while mitigating legal risks. With a forward-thinking approach, Chinenye has guided Fluence through complex acquisitions, licensing negotiations, and post-IPO growth. Passionate about fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, she engages everyone from engineers to executive leadership, board members, and investors, ensuring that IP remains a key driver of success for Fluence in the competitive renewable energy sector.
While litigation and enforcement remain critical for IP leaders, the current economic climate is leading them to seek efficient strategies that will not jeopardize results.
Moderated by McAndrews IP
The legal department has for too long been cast to the background and circumvented with its image of pushing back projects with lengthy validation processes. While the IP department puts out fires, this also means that the wider company does not see the successes that take place behind-the-scenes, noticing only when something goes wrong. In house IP counsels must be equipped to raise awareness around the importance of IP within the compliance, privacy and brand protection framework, in order to ensure themselves a seat at the business table.
Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Chinenye.
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