The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has hired an advisor to new chairman Mary Schapiro.

The SEC announced Tuesday that Kayla Gillan has been named senior advisor to the chairman. At the commission Gillan will work for investors, leading multiple projects including the creation of an Investor Advisory Council, reconsidering access to the proxy, and evaluating shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation.

For the past year, Gillan has been the chief administrative officer at RiskMetrics Group, Inc., a firm that provides risk management and corporate governance products and services to financial market participants. She was also a founding board member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, advocating the needs of investors in the auditing process of U.S. public companies. Prior to that she was general counsel for the California Public Employees’ Retirement System.

“Kayla has a long and dedicated record of exemplary service to investors, and we welcome her expertise and her passion to meet their needs as she joins us here at the agency that must always be the investor’s advocate,” said Schapiro. “Not only will we value Kayla’s proven ability to hear the concerns of the investor community, but also her vast knowledge of corporate governance and risk assessment as the commission considers important initiatives during a critical time for our markets.”

Gillan said, “I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with chairman Schapiro, the commission, and its staff as we work together to protect investors during these challenging times. I’m eager to play a role in this great agency’s self-evaluation and recommitment to meeting the needs of the investor community as well as the challenges posed by today’s financial regulatory system.”

IE