Geetha Kandiah

Geetha is the CEO of KASS International – a well-established Intellectual Property and Franchise firm in Malaysia. She joined KASS in 2006 and has been instrumental in growing the firm from a 7-man firm, located in one country to a 90-man firm, with presence in 7 countries, with over 2 decades of extensive expertise in the realms of Intellectual Property (IP) and Franchise. In 2007, she trained under European Trademark Attorneys at a reputable IP firm in France.

Geetha frequently shares her IP expertise on BFM89.9 and Bernama TV; and has contributed articles to various local and overseas publications. Her comments on case law in Malaysia have been quoted in publications abroad such as the Asia IP magazine, ITMA Review by the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) and Managing Intellectual Property, a Euromoney publication.

In 2010, Prestige Magazine acknowledged her significant impact in the industry by including her in the “Top 10 of Malaysia’s Top 40 under 40.” Geetha has been actively involved with the International Trademark Association (INTA), serving on various committees, including the Asia Roundtables Project Team and the Brands and Innovation Committee. Currently, she is a member of INTA’s Leadership Development Committee and contributes to discussions surrounding Geographical Indications, Collective Marks, and Certification Marks.

As a sought-after international speaker, Geetha has presented at conferences in locations such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Taipei, addressing key issues in IP law and innovation. Additionally, she serves as a Business Strategy Coach with the 10X CEO Coaching Group, helping entrepreneurs achieve organizational breakthroughs. Her role as a Digital Victory Advisor for the Malaysia Productivity Corporation involves coaching digital and tech entrepreneurs, while her mentorship at the University of Bristol supports law students in their career journeys.

Geetha is also committed to promoting gender diversity in corporate leadership through her involvement as a member of the Malaysian chapter of the 30% Club and as Vice President of the Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC). Her responsibilities extend to being an Internal Auditor for the Hong Kong-Malaysia Business Association, a foreign member of the Institute of Trademark Agents (UK) (ITMA), a member of the Lincoln’s Inn Alumni in Malaysia, and a past president of BNI Ampang, Malaysia.

Her diverse roles and achievements reflect her dedication to fostering innovation and advancing the field of IP law, making her a standout leader in the industry.