The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority announced Thursday that Executive Vice President of Regulatory Operations Susan Axelrod will leave the watchdog to pursue private sector opportunities.
Axelrod, who began her career as a staff attorney at NYS Regulation, FINRA’s predecessor, in 1989, was named to her current position in 2013 and has spent a combined 28 years working at FINRA and NYSE.
“During my nearly three decades as a regulator, it has been an honor and privilege to work every day to ensure that investors are protected and markets are operating with integrity. I am proud to have been part of the talented FINRA team and all that it has accomplished since the organization was founded.” she said.
Axelrod leads a nationwide team of more than 1,400 people in 14 offices and has been responsible for executing several of FINRA’s core regulatory programs during her tenure, including developing and implementing the Securities Helpline for Seniors, establishing FINRA’s High-Risk Representative program—dedicated to identifying and addressing brokers that may pose an increased risk to investors, codifying a unified risk hierarchy that now forms the basis for all of FINRA’s surveillance and examination of member firms, and spearheading the consolidation and expansion of FINRA’s efforts to address cybersecurity risks, to name a few.
Axelrod has also been a key public figure at FINRA during a time when regulation has come under intense scrutiny. She’s been a frequent speaker at industry conferences and has represented FINRA in addressing the media on numerous regulatory issues.
Axelrod will not be leaving the company immediately but will slowly phase herself out to ensure a smooth transition. She’ll remain in her current position until Jan. 5, 2018 to help tie up any loose ends regarding he implementation of some key initiatives. After that date, she’ll transition into a role as senior advisor to FINRA President and CEO Robert Cook through the end of April 2018.
