The independent investor advocacy group that provides input on regulatory initiatives to the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), the Investor Advisory Panel (IAP), has a new chairwoman.

The OSC said Thursday that Ursula Menke has been appointed as IAP chairwoman, effective June 1. She will serve a two-year term. Menke takes over from Connie Craddock, who is staying on as a member of the panel. Investor advocate Ken Kivenko has also be reappointed to a second term on the IAP.

Menke has 30 years of experience in finance, management, law, regulatory issues, operations and corporate governance. Most recently, she was commissioner of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), where she dealt with federal consumer protection laws and building a competitive marketplace by enhancing consumer protection and education. She has Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Civil Law degrees from McGill University, and a teaching diploma from the University of Alberta.

“We would like to thank Ms. Craddock for her dedicated leadership of the panel and continued involvement as a member. We are pleased that Ms. Menke has agreed to serve as chair of the panel and recognize the panel’s important role in advising the commission as well as its contributions to our goal of investor protection,” said Howard Wetston, chairman and CEO of the OSC. “The panel continues to bring a broad range of relevant experience, knowledge and perspectives to its work.”

The IAP provides feedback on OSC policy proposals and its annual statement of priorities, from the investor perspective. It can also raise policy issues with the commission, and provides advice on the efficacy of its ongoing investor protection initiatives.