Chris Lawson

About

Chris Lawson serves as Miami University’s inaugural Executive Director of Creativity, Innovation, and Economic Development. His work takes place at the intersections of academia, industry, and community. As the chief technology transfer and commercialization evangelist for the University, he is dedicated to driving the impact of imagination and invention by translating it into real-world, market-viable products. His responsibilities include evaluating inventions, managing an expanding IP repository, facilitating collaboration with potential licensees and investors, supporting startup formation, and fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, not only at the university, but community-wide.

Prior to his role at Miami University, he spearheaded entrepreneurial development for the City of Hamilton. During that time, he relaunched and ran Hamilton’s nationally recognized regional startup incubator – The Hamilton Mill. Additionally, Chris co-founded an international water-tech accelerator called, “PIPELINE”.

Civically minded, Chris serves on numerous regional and national boards - he is on the executive committee of OKI (Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments), and serves as the president of the Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA). He serves on the national policy committee for the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), and Chris is an appointee of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Advanced Technologies Trade Advisory Committee.