In this episode, Kathy sits down with Christine Hollis, the Chief Talent and Diversity Officer at Marshall Gerstein & Borun — one of the top intellectual property law firms in the U.S. Christine brings a fresh, energetic perspective to the often-misunderstood world of patent law and STEM-driven legal careers.

Together, they explore what intellectual property (IP) law really is, how STEM professionals are critical to patent work, and why careers like technical specialist, patent agent, and IP attorney can be incredibly dynamic, creative, and rewarding. Christine also opens up about her winding path from aspiring physician to industrial/organizational psychologist to talent leader in IP law.

This conversation is uplifting, surprising, and packed with insights on innovation, communication skills, resilience, and the future of STEM in law.

Topics We Cover

• What intellectual property (IP) law actually is — and what it isn’t
• How scientists, engineers, and STEM grads power patent work
• The differences between technical specialists, patent agents, and patent attorneys
• How patent agents can take the patent bar without a law degree
• What prosecution means in the patent world
• How to know when to contact a patent attorney about an idea
• Why communication skills matter as much as technical skills
• Diversity in IP law and building a more inclusive STEM-to-law pipeline
• How remote work has shifted resilience, social skills, and workplace culture
• Christine’s path from psychology to legal talent leadership
• Why patent law is “like Disneyland” for people who love innovation

Key Messages

• STEM backgrounds are incredibly versatile. Engineers and scientists aren’t limited to labs — they can build long, impactful careers in patent law and innovation strategy.
• You don’t need a JD to work in patent law. Patent agents can draft and prosecute patents with only the patent bar + STEM expertise.
• Communication is a superpower. The ability to translate complex science into everyday language is essential everywhere — especially in IP.
• Career paths can be nonlinear and still land exactly where you belong. Christine’s story is a great example.
• Humans need connection. Christine’s insights on resilience, mental health, and post-pandemic social shifts apply far beyond law.

About Our Guest

Christine Hollis is the Chief Talent & Diversity Officer at Marshall Gerstein & Borun LLP in Chicago. She leads recruiting, professional development, DEI strategy, and organizational culture for a firm filled with engineers, scientists, and attorneys working at the forefront of innovation. Christine has a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and has built a career helping technical professionals thrive in people-first workplaces.

Links & Resources

• Marshall Gerstein & Borun LLP: https://www.marshallip.com
• Patent Pending Speakeasy in NYC: https://www.patentpendingnyc.com/

Connect With Us

• Podcast Website: https://www.ordinarily-extraordinary.com
• Email: ordinarilyextraordinarypod@gmail.com
• Voicemail: Leave a message directly on our website!
• Follow & Review: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform

Your ratings and shares help amplify women’s voices in STEM. Thank you for listening and supporting our mission!

Music by Kay Paulus

Support the show

In today’s episode of Ordinarily Extraordinary – Conversations with Women in STEM, Kathy and Linda sit down with environmental engineer and river guide Mishael Umlor — a woman who pressed pause on her engineering career to live a year of adventure, intention, and joy.

Kathy first met Mishael this summer while rowing through the Grand Canyon on a 14-day paddle trip. What began as a passing “Wait… you’re an engineer?” moment turned into months of wanting to learn more about her unconventional, intentional path. Today, you’ll hear that full story.

About Mishael Umlor

Mishael holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in environmental engineering and worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on hydrology, water quality, and river systems modeling. After earning her PE, she made the bold decision to step away for a year to travel, guide rivers, reconnect with family, and build a life that aligns with her values.

During her year away she:

• Guided rafting trips in the Grand Canyon
• Traveled for six weeks in Belize — where she and her husband had their wedding attire custom-designed
• Rode motorcycles through Central America
• Spent months backcountry camping in Baja
• Completed a five-week ski tour using a DIY truck camper
• Visited family across the Midwest
• Got married
• And reconnected with the outdoors in ways that shape the next chapter of her engineering career

Her story is a powerful example of designing a life with intentionality, courage, and creativity.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• How Mishael discovered environmental engineering through community college and a love of math
• Her experience working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Taking a year off after earning her PE — what she learned and how she made it possible
• The logistics and finances of long-term travel and seasonal living
• River guiding, safety stories, and what it’s really like flipping a fully loaded kitchen boat in the Grand Canyon
• Finding balance between a technical career and a passion-driven outdoor lifestyle
• What she wants her engineering career to look like next — and how she plans to blend contract work and river-based fieldwork
• The beauty of creating a life you actually want (even when it doesn’t look like the traditional path)

Why You’ll Love This Episode

Mishael’s story is a refreshing and inspiring look at the many ways women in STEM can shape careers that don’t fit into boxes. Her honesty about fear, joy, logistics, and dreams makes this a conversation that will resonate with anyone rethinking their own path — whether early, mid, or late career.

Connect & Follow

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps others discover these stories.

Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode, and share with a friend, colleague, or fellow adventurer.

Have a question or comment?
Email us at OrdinarilyExtraordinaryPod@gmail.com

or leave a voicemail at Ordinarily-Extraordinary.com

Support the show

In this special episode, Kathy and her co-host Linda sit down for a heartfelt conversation about the release of Kathy’s brand-new Women in STEM Coloring Book—a three-year passion project created in collaboration with her daughter, Emily. This book showcases contemporary women in STEM, brought to life through hand-drawn illustrations and inspiring biographies.

Kathy shares the story behind the book, why representation of real, modern women in STEM matters, and how her daughter’s artwork brings these stories to life. They talk through favorite pages, the women featured, the challenges and joys of self-publishing, and the importance of normalizing women in STEM from an early age.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or someone passionate about STEM advocacy, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look into creating a resource designed to inspire the next generation.

In This Episode We Discuss:

• The origin and three-year journey of creating the Women in STEM Coloring Book
• Why showcasing contemporary women—not just historical figures—is so important
• The need to normalize women in STEM roles for both girls and boys
• How Emily created 31 hand-drawn illustrations and character pages
• Favorite featured women:
  • A bat scientist
  • A glaciologist
  • A crash test engineer
  • A satellite communications engineer
  • A code breaker
• How the biographies and real photos in the back bring authenticity to the book
• The process and unexpected challenges of self-publishing through Amazon KDP
• Kathy’s experience approaching local stores and embracing the identity of “author”
• A fun sidebar about Linda’s granddaughter writing and illustrating her own books
• What comes next as the book launches during holiday season

About the Book

STEM Super Stars: Women of Today Changing the World
A beautifully illustrated coloring book featuring 25 real women working in STEM fields today. Perfect for kids, classrooms, and anyone who wants to see more representation in science and technology.

✔ 31 single-sided coloring pages
✔ Science, Technology, Engineering, Math & “Other” categories
✔ Real photos and biographies of every woman featured
✔ Hand-drawn illustrations by Emily Nelson
✔ Created in Minnesota and inspired by women making real impact across the globe

Buy the Book

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2YSJ9XW
Bulk or Educational Orders: Contact Kathy at kathy@kathykalenelson.com for information

Credits

• Hosted by: Kathy Nelson & Linda LaTourelle
• Produced by: Ordinarily Extraordinary Podcast
• Music: Custom intro/outro by Kay Paulus

Support the show