Lesley Millar-Nicholson

Director, MIT Technology Licensing Office

Lesley Millar-Nicholson has been the Director of MIT Technology Licensing Office (TLO) since July 2016. She leads a team of professional staff managing the intellectual assets and tech transfer process for MITs inventions. The TLO is responsible for engagement with faculty, staff, and students and for the efficient and effective transfer of IP into the market place to ensure impact in society. Working with MIT startup companies, VCs, and corporate partners, the team manages around 800 inventions a year from the MIT and Lincoln Lab campuses. The TLO is an integral part of the MIT innovation ecosystem working closely with the Deshpande Center, Venture Mentoring Service, Martin Trust Entrepreneurship Center, MIT Innovation Initiative and many other programs and centers established to harness the amazing innovations from MIT faculty, students and staff.

Prior to leading the MIT TLO, Lesley was Director of the OTM at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana for over 10 years.