Katherine Easmunt Named Chief Ethics Counsel

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Oct. 31, 2024) - The National Credit Union Administration Board named Katherine Easmunt as the agency's Chief Ethics Counsel, effective November 3.

In this role, Ms. Easmunt oversees the Office of Ethics Counsel, which certifies the agency's compliance with federal ethics laws and regulations, promotes a culture of accountability and integrity, and helps ensure the success of the NCUA's ethics program. Ms. Easmunt also manages the NCUA's anti-harassment program.

"The NCUA's ethics and anti-harassment programs are an integral element to maintaining a fair, accountable, safe, unbiased, and trust-based NCUA workplace," NCUA Chairman Todd M. Harper said. "Katherine's strong experience managing ethics programs and knowledge of both ethics and anti-harassment law and policy are ideal for the stability and advancement of NCUA's ethics and anti-harassment program, which strives to eliminate workplace harassment at the earliest possible opportunity."

Said Vice Chairman Kyle Hauptman, "Congratulations to Katherine Easmunt on her appointment as Chief Ethics Counsel at the NCUA. Katherine's exceptional leadership and commitment to ethical standards have earned her this well-deserved role. We are confident that under her guidance, the NCUA will continue to uphold the highest levels of integrity and accountability in service to credit unions and their members."

"Kathy has demonstrated compassion, integrity, and commitment to the NCUA - all important qualities that will serve her well as Chief Ethics Counsel," Board Member Tanya Otsuka said. "I look forward to working with her to ensure the NCUA adheres to the highest ethical standards."

Prior to her selection, Ms. Easmunt served as the NCUA Acting Chief Ethics Counsel. She first joined the NCUA in 2019 and previously supervised the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's ethics and anti-harassment programs, serving as Alternate Designated Agency Ethics Official, Assistant General Counsel for General Law and Ethics, and as that agency's Anti-Harassment Coordinator. From 2006 to 2015, Ms. Easmunt served as an attorney with the U.S. Department of Labor with a focus on ethics and appropriations law.

Ms. Easmunt attained her Juris Doctor from the George Mason University School of Law and her undergraduate degree in finance from the University of South Florida.