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Dr. Tonya M. Evans is a distinguished full tenured professor at Penn State Dickinson Law and holds a prestigious five-year co-hire appointment at the Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences. Her outstanding achievements have earned her widespread recognition, including the esteemed 2023 EDGE in Tech Athena Award for Academic Leadership. She is an exclusive member of the invitation-only Northwestern University Alumni C100 and has been honored as a nominee for Professor of the Year in 2020-21.
Furthermore, she was featured on the highly regarded 2021 Forbes Over 50 List in the Investment category and named in the prestigious Fastcase 50 list.
With her vast expertise and experience, Dr. Evans actively contributes to numerous national and international boards and committees. She holds a significant role as co-leader in the World Economic Forum/Wharton DAO Project Series, a research initiative focused on the groundbreaking blockchain phenomenon. In addition, she serves as a Senior Advisor to Black NFT Art and Advisor to Maxwell Frost, a prominent US congressional candidate. Her impressive roster of international engagements solidifies her as a global thought leader in her field.
Specializing in intellectual property, new technologies (including blockchain and distributed ledger technology), entrepreneurship & innovation, entertainment law, trusts & estates, and municipal finance, Professor Evans consistently produces impactful research and thought-provoking insights. Her written work, speeches, and teachings primarily explore the intersections of copyright and new technologies, as well as the intricate landscape of estates law.
Professor Evans’ exceptional service extends to various international boards, task forces, and committees. Notably, she chaired the Maker DAO’s Maker Ecosystem Growth Foundation from 2020 to 2021 and currently serves as a member of the World Economic Forum/Wharton DAO Project Series Working Group. She has also made significant contributions to the United States GAO Study on Blockchain and acted as an advisor to NFT Black Art. As a testament to her influence and expertise, she holds memberships in esteemed organizations such as the Bermuda Global FinTech Advisory Board, the Global Blockchain Business Council, and the Consensys Grants Advisory Board.
Before her tenure at Penn State, Professor Evans held the positions of Associate Professor of Law and Associate Dean of Inclusion & Equity at Widener University Commonwealth Law School. She has also served as a Visiting Associate Professor of Law at UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law. Furthermore, she is a sought-after consultant and speaker both domestically and internationally, providing invaluable insights into the legal implications of new technologies and innovation for startups, entrepreneurs, and creatives. Professor Evans has delivered captivating presentations worldwide, including renowned events such as the IBM Cloud Forum, South by Southwest (SxSW) Festival, Yahoo Finance All Markets Summit:Crypto, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Her expertise and thought leadership have garnered attention from various media outlets. Dr. Evans has appeared on esteemed platforms such as Yahoo Finance News, CNBC, Cheddar TV, Bloomberg TV, The Tammi Mac Show, and FoxSoul. She has been extensively quoted in print media, including Sports Illustrated, Bloomberg News, Protocol, and the LA Times.
As a former tennis professional and academic scholar, Dr. Evans attended Northwestern University on a four-year tennis scholarship and competed in world class tournaments like the US Open, Virginia Slims of Philadelphia, and Lipton. After retiring from professional tennis, she pursued her academic journey at Howard University on a prestigious scholarship. Throughout her law school years, she interned with notable legal figures, including the Honorable Arthur L. Burnett, Sr., U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah, and the Honorable Theodore A. McKee in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Professor Evans is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, New Jersey, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Third Circuit and New York. She is also a founding member and found Chair of The Pinkwellchick Foundation, Inc. and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Dr. Tonya M. Evans is a distinguished professor at Penn State Dickinson Law and a leading expert in intellectual property and new technologies. With a prestigious 2023 EDGE in Tech Athena Award, she is highly sought-after as a keynote speaker and consultant. Her expertise spans blockchain, entrepreneurship, entertainment law, and more.
As a member of international boards and committees, including the World Economic Forum/Wharton DAO Project Series, Dr. Evans remains at the forefront of cutting-edge research. She advises Black NFT Art and Maxwell Frost, a US congressional candidate. Her insights shape global discussions on blockchain and its impact on various industries.
With an impressive academic background and professional accomplishments, Dr. Evans has earned accolades, including recognition on the Forbes Over 50 List and the Fastcase 50 list. She has spoken at renowned events such as the IBM Cloud Forum and South by Southwest (SxSW) Festival, and her expertise has been featured in major media outlets like CNBC and Bloomberg TV.
Drawing on her extensive experience as a former professional tennis player and academic scholar, Dr. Evans delivers captivating presentations that explore the legal implications of new technologies for startups, entrepreneurs, and creatives. She is a trusted advisor, sought-after speaker, and visionary thought leader in her field.
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