Kuala Lumpur, 11 June 2025 – In the latest IAM Patent 1000 rankings for year 2025 edition, Geetha Kandiah, CEO of KASS International, was honoured in the prestigious Gold Band for Malaysia, recognising her exceptional leadership and deep expertise in patent strategy and valuation.
Key Takeaways
- Top Patent Leader in Malaysia – Geetha Kandiah, CEO of KASS International, has been ranked in the 2025 IAM Patent 1000 Gold Band for her exceptional patent strategy, valuation expertise, and leadership in transforming KASS into a 90-strong regional IP powerhouse.
- Influential Business & Industry Figure – As the third female President of the Malaysian German Chamber of Commerce & Industry, she champions bilateral trade, investment, and women’s leadership through high-profile panels and cross-industry collaborations.
- Global Thought Leadership – A sought-after media commentator, speaker, and mentor, Geetha actively contributes to INTA committees, national media, and international IP publications, shaping IP policy and inspiring the next generation of leaders.
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Since joining KASS in 2006, Geetha has transformed the firm from a modest 7-person outfit into a robust 90 strong regional powerhouse across six countries. With over two decades of experience, she brings a rare blend of technical acumen and strategic insight, particularly in patent valuation analyses and regional IP strategy.
IAM highlights her “strategic foresight” and ability to “simplify complex IP challenges” for clients throughout Southeast Asia. Her work is credited with helping startups and multinationals alike identify the commercial value within their patent assets and protect their innovations across complex, evolving markets. With strong business acumen and three decades of legal experience, she has a “knack for handling patent valuation analyses” and is regarded as “the brains behind the firm’s rapid expansion across the region.”
In 2024, Geetha achieved another milestone by becoming the third female President in the 33 years history of the Malaysian German Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MGCC). She now leads an organisation representing over 430 member companies, driving bilateral trade and investment between Malaysia and Germany. MGCC Executive Director Jan Noether praised her “two decades of legal experience and strong business acumen” and affirmed that her leadership would “propel the chamber’s role in driving investments into Malaysia.”
Her presence is not confined to the panel room. On 20 March 2025, she moderated MGCC’s #SheLeads Inter Chamber Ladies Sundowner, a high-profile event featuring female leaders from Siemens ASEAN, Henkel Malaysia, UOB, and Lufthansa where she steered a “Breaking Barriers” panel to empower women professionals and foster cross industry collaboration.
Geetha’s influence extends beyond KASS. She is a sought-after speaker on national media platforms such as BFM89.9 and Bernama TV, and a regular contributor to publications like Asia IP Magazine and Managing Intellectual Property. She was also named one of Malaysia’s Top 40 Under 40 by Prestige Magazine in 2010.
An active member of the International Trademark Association (INTA), she serves on the Leadership Development Committee and contributes to working groups on geographical indications and collective marks. Her commitment to mentoring and leadership is reflected in her roles as a Business Strategy Coach with 10X CEO Coaching Group, a Digital Victory Advisor at Malaysia Productivity Corporation, and a Professional Mentor with the University of Bristol.
For further reading, visit: https://www.iam-media.com/rankings/patent-1000/profile/person/geetha-kandiah