Kelly Sims has been acting deputy director general of IP Australia since February 2026. In this role she ensures that the agency delivers on its strategy and operational outcomes, and is directly responsible for enabling corporate functions, data and technology, and customer experience. Kelly has held several senior executive positions at IP Australia and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission including registrar of trade marks and designs, general manager governance, and head of technology and customer experience. Kelly spent 12 years abroad as trade and investment commissioner for the Australian Government in San Francisco, New York City, and Frankfurt. Kelly holds a bachelor of environmental science (Hons) from the University of Wollongong, a masters of management from the Australian National University (ANU), and completed the executive leadership program at Columbia University in New York City.