Awards Celebration - IPO Education Foundation

Join IPO Education Foundation for an In-Person Awards Celebration!

This Annual Awards Celebration honors accomplishments in the fields of IP, innovation, and creativity. More than 300 IP practitioners, IP professionals, government officials, and attendees from all over the world take part in this fundraising event to support the work of IPOEF to further efforts of promoting innovation and creation by, within, and for underserved, diverse populations. This year the event will take place at JW Marriott in Washington, DC.

Attire is black tie optional.

For questions, or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact foundation@ipo.org

Inventors of the Year

Erin and Lee Hanson, Founders of Guardian Sports, are being honored for their inventions impacting sports safety. In 2010, Lee and Erin established Guardian after creating the Guardian Cap, a revolutionary soft-shell helmet cover that has since become mandatory for NFL teams during contact practices. This innovation marked the beginning of Guardian’s impactful journey, expanding their product line to include PEARL lacrosse balls, the LOOP headband, Guardian Chinstrap, Guardian Infill, and Guardian Pad, all recognized for their contributions to enhancing player safety and sustainability in sports. Committed to their mission, Lee and Erin continue to drive Guardian’s success, impacting athletes across all levels of sports.

IP Champions

IPO Education Foundation’s IP Champion award recognizes extraordinary leadership in advocating for the value of intellectual property to stimulate the progress of innovation. The 2025 honorees are Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), who have been strong bipartisan advocates for the value of intellectual property rights, working together to modernize and strengthen the U.S. IP system in support of American innovation. They co-sponsored the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA), which they intend to provide more clarity and consistency in determining patent subject matter eligibility. They also co-sponsored the PREVAIL Act to reform the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), seeking to ensure the rules that govern patent review proceedings at the USPTO are fair and aligned with the standards for district court litigation. As leaders in the IP policy space, Senators Tillis and Coons have championed initiatives that seek to protect creators, encourage investment, and secure the United States’ global leadership in innovation.

Executive of the Year

Cathy Engelbert, Commissioner of the WNBA, is being recognized as the 2025 Executive of the Year for her pivotal role in advancing the importance of IP, particularly through her leadership bolstering the brand of the WNBA. Since becoming the league’s first Commissioner in 2019, she has led a major business transformation that has notably amplified the visibility and strengthened the brand identity of the WNBA. As Commissioner, she has secured key partnerships that expanded the league’s digital presence and media coverage, including purpose-driven initiatives designed to advance women through sports, elevate the WNBA’s brand, and have an impact on the community. She raised significant outside investment to fund transformation efforts and negotiated media agreements that set a new benchmark for women’s sports. Cathy has overseen league growth and introduced new events to generate additional revenue and exposure. She has improved the player and fan experience, driving strong increases in viewership and sponsorship while ensuring players have greater opportunities to build their own brands.