Victoria A. Espinel

Timeline

1. 1989–1997

   Degrees in law and service

   She earns a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in 1989, a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law School in 1992, and a Master of Law from the London School of Economics in 1997.

2. 2001–2005

   Intellectual property at USTR

   In 2001 she joins the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative as senior counsel for intellectual property issues. In 2005 she becomes the first Assistant United States Trade Representative for Intellectual Property and Innovation, creates the office of Intellectual Property and Innovation at USTR, and serves as the chief U.S. trade negotiator for intellectual property and innovation. Before joining USTR, she practices at Covington & Burling in London and Washington, D.C.

3. 2007–2009

   Teaching at George Mason

   From 2007 to 2009 she is a professor at the George Mason University School of Law, teaching intellectual property and international trade. While there, she advises staff of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, the House Judiciary Committee, and the House Ways and Means Committee on intellectual property. In 2009 she founds Bridging the Innovation Divide, a not-for-profit foundation focused on addressing the innovation divide.

4. 2009

   First IP enforcement coordinator

   In December 2009 the Senate confirms her as the first U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator. She develops and implements the administration's strategy for enforcement of intellectual property.

5. September 2013

   President and CEO of BSA

   In September 2013 she becomes president and chief executive of BSA | The Software Alliance.

6. April 2022

   Appointment to the NAIAC

   In April 2022 the U.S. Department of Commerce appoints her to the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee, which advises the President on artificial intelligence.

7. February 2023

   Chairing a NAIAC group

   In February 2023 she participates in the President's National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee as chair of the Trustworthy AI Working Group and writes about ChatGPT and generative AI.

8. September 2026

   Writing on AI access

   She is CEO of the Business Software Alliance. In September 2026 she writes that customers investing in AI and cloud services need confidence in lawful access to those services, and that BSA is calling for agreements between the EU and the US and between the US and Japan.