SEC Appoints Kathleen Hutchinson as Director of Office of International Affairs

• Kathleen M. Hutchinson has been appointed as the new Director of the SEC's Office of International Affairs (OIA).
• Ms. Hutchinson previously served as Acting Director of the OIA since January 2025 and was an Associate Director in its Cross-Border Policy division.
• Her extensive background includes roles in the SEC's Division of Enforcement, FINRA, and WilmerHale.
• The OIA advises the SEC on international policy, coordinates with foreign authorities, and assists with global enforcement and regulatory matters.
• SEC Chair Paul S. Atkins emphasized Hutchinson's deep experience and the critical importance of international coordination in today's interconnected global markets.

Lawyers advising clients on cross-border securities transactions or facing international enforcement actions should note this leadership change, as Ms. Hutchinson will now be the primary point of contact for international policy and regulatory cooperation at the SEC.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially named Kathleen M. Hutchinson as the new Director of its Office of International Affairs (OIA). This significant appointment places Ms. Hutchinson at the helm of the division responsible for guiding the Commission on global policy matters and fostering collaboration with regulatory bodies worldwide. Her tenure as the permanent director follows a period where she served as the Acting Director of the OIA, a role she assumed in January 2025.

Before stepping into the acting director position, Ms. Hutchinson held the title of Associate Director within the OIA's Cross-Border Policy division. Her extensive experience within the SEC's international operations began in 2011 when she first joined the Office of International Affairs. This progression through key roles within the OIA underscores her deep familiarity with the complexities of international securities regulation and policy.

Kathleen Hutchinson brings a wealth of legal and regulatory experience to her new role as SEC OIA Director. Prior to her dedicated service within the Office of International Affairs, she contributed her expertise as a Senior Counsel in the SEC's Division of Enforcement. This background in enforcement provides her with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and necessities of international regulatory cooperation from a prosecutorial standpoint.

Before joining the Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms. Hutchinson honed her legal skills at other prominent institutions. She served as an attorney at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), a self-regulatory organization overseeing broker-dealers in the U.S. Her career began in private practice as an associate at the distinguished law firm WilmerHale. Academically, Ms. Hutchinson holds a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center and earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia, providing a strong foundation for her distinguished career in securities law.

The SEC Office of International Affairs plays a pivotal role in the agency's broader mission, particularly in an increasingly globalized financial landscape. Beyond advising the Commission on international policy, the OIA is instrumental in coordinating efforts with foreign authorities across a spectrum of regulatory and enforcement activities. This includes providing crucial assistance in international enforcement actions and navigating complex cross-border regulatory issues.

In essence, the OIA acts as the primary conduit for the US SEC international policy, ensuring that the Commission's objectives — protecting investors, maintaining fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitating capital formation — are upheld even when transactions and market participants span multiple jurisdictions. The office's work is vital for addressing challenges posed by interconnected global capital markets and ensuring consistent application of securities laws.

SEC Chair Paul S. Atkins publicly lauded Kathleen Hutchinson's appointment, emphasizing her suitability for the demanding position. Chair Atkins highlighted Ms. Hutchinson's profound experience in international securities matters, noting it makes her exceptionally well-equipped to lead the OIA. His comments underscored her proven leadership in both cross-border policy development and international enforcement initiatives, which are critical functions for the office.

Chair Atkins further articulated the strategic importance of robust international coordination for the SEC to effectively fulfill its mandate. He specifically pointed to the growing interconnectedness of global capital markets as a key factor necessitating strong international engagement. This perspective reinforces that the SEC OIA director role is central to the agency's ability to adapt to and influence the evolving global financial environment, ensuring the protection of U.S. investors and the integrity of its markets.

Lawyers advising clients on cross-border securities transactions or facing international enforcement actions should note this leadership change, as Ms. Hutchinson will now be the primary point of contact for international policy and regulatory cooperation at the SEC.

Source: Original reporting via SEC press release