Connected Minds has wrapped its inaugural year, and we are brimming with anticipation as we leap into the next phase of our program. With incredible strides and achievements behind us, we are delighted to unveil an exciting leadership transition that promises to propel us into a new era of success for our program.
Join us in welcoming Professor Pina D'Agostino as our stellar new Director. With a depth of knowledge in intellectual property (IP), technology, and innovation law and policy, Professor D'Agostino is set to instill our program with renewed vigour and visionary leadership. Her trailblazing initiatives, such as the IP Innovation Clinic (which she founded and has been director of since 2010), the IP Intensive (launched in 2011), and IP Osgoode (founding director, 2008 until 2023), all of which directly resonates with our work and mission at Connected Minds, have reshaped the legal landscape and beyond. Professor D'Agostino is also a Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and was recognized by Canadian Lawyer Magazine as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada (Top 5 in Business Law) in 2022.
Yet, this marks only the inception of her remarkable journey. Professor D'Agostino's unwavering dedication to empowering underrepresented groups and spearheading innovation mirrors the vision of Connected Minds, advancing us towards a future defined by inclusivity and ground-breaking progress. From her pioneering endeavors with the AI-powered IP Innovation Chatbot to her pivotal role as Co-Chair of the York University AI & Society Task Force, she has consistently pushed boundaries and fostered positive change.
We're also thrilled to congratulate Professor D'Agostino on receiving the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association (CIBPA) Woman of the Year, a testament to her remarkable contributions to law, technology, and education. Explore the full story behind this prestigious accolade.
As we turn over a new leaf and embrace new opportunities, we're proud to have Professor D'Agostino leading the charge. She is at the forefront of everything we stand for, and her recent feature in the Globe and Mail, one of Canada's most prestigious newspapers, for her cutting-edge expertise on issues central to Connected Minds, speaks volumes about her exceptional leadership.
"I am thrilled to be taking the program to the next level by building on the strong foundation we now have and engaging with all of our incredible partners and communities to work towards our goals of a healthy and just society," - Pina D'Agostino
Looking ahead with eager anticipation, our focus now turns to our first major event under Professor D'Agostino's esteemed leadership: the Bracing for Impact with Connected Minds Conference. This flagship event is set to become a nexus of transformative dialogue and collaboration, shaping the trajectory of research excellence and innovation.
Let us extend a warm welcome to Professor D'Agostino as our new director. Together, we embark on this exhilarating journey, fueled by our shared vision of pioneering discovery and impact.