AMES, Iowa -- Over the last 20 years, Rebecca Taylor has invented and patented mobile device technologies, and started and advised several startup companies. The Iowa State University computer science graduate now serves the U.S. Department of State as a senior adviser, innovation and entrepreneurship, in the Office of Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State.
Taylor will return to Iowa State on Tuesday, March 29, to share her experiences during a Reiman Entrepreneurial Speaker Series event, sponsored by ISU's Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. Her talk, titled "The Tao of Entrepreneurship," will cover topics such as leadership, public service, entrepreneurship and innovation. It will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. during a luncheon presentation in the Memorial Union Sun Room. While the luncheon is free and open to the public, seating is limited and pre-registration is required through the Pappajohn Center website.
Taylor's U.S. Department of State position is the result of being chosen as an engineering and diplomacy fellow for 2011 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). A select number of IEEE fellows annually spend a year in Washington serving as advisers to the U.S. Congress and key U.S. Department of State decision-makers.
A resident of Austin, Texas, Taylor is president of Taylor-Deininger Partners Inc., a consultancy focused on advising senior executives and board members on strategic issues relating to technology manufacturing and design operations, new market opportunities, and intellectual property portfolio development. She has started and/or advised technology companies since 1991, when she formed her first company. She also held a variety of software design and technical consulting roles at Fisher Controls (now Emerson) and Digital Equipment Corp. (now HP). Taylor holds patents in the field of mobile device communications and has formed or advised numerous software and hardware technology startups over the past 20 years.
Taylor earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State in 1984. She also holds a master's degree in public affairs from the University of Texas' LBJ School.
In addition to her talk, Taylor will spend two days on campus visiting classes, meeting with students and faculty, and interacting with student entrepreneurs.
The Reiman Entrepreneurial Lecture Series was established through a gift from Roy and Bobbi Reiman of Greendale, Wis., longtime supporters of Iowa State. Their lead gift to ISU in 1993 launched construction of the Reiman Gardens.
