Our Staff

Born and raised in Dickinson, ND, Rebecca has spent nearly ten years overseas. Prior to joining the NDTO, Rebecca worked for the Tokyo-based Japan Office of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, where she organized and implemented national and regional workshops, training courses and knowledge-sharing events. She later joined WIPO’s Traditional Knowledge Division as a communications and media specialist, working to promote the importance of intellectual property protection for individuals and organizations representing indigenous peoples and local communities around the globe. Rebecca graduated with a master’s degree in international development (majoring in governance and law) from Nagoya University in Nagoya, Japan. Special research interests include intellectual property protection for regionally branded goods, with a focus on geographical indications and collective/certification marks. Rebecca has spent years studying alongside or working directly with people of different backgrounds in various multicultural settings. She looks forward to bringing her broad experiences and unique background to the NDTO and in support of its members.