CFTC Names Jessica Harris as Director of Data and Chief Data Officer

CFTC Press Releases

Published March 16th, 2026

Detected March 16th, 2026

Summary

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced the appointment of Jessica Harris as Director of the Division of Data and Chief Data Officer. This appointment aims to enhance the CFTC's data strategy amidst evolving derivatives markets.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has announced the appointment of Jessica Harris as the new Director of the Division of Data and Chief Data Officer, effective March 16, 2026. This appointment signifies a strategic move by CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig to bolster the commission's data capabilities, particularly in light of rapid innovation and transformation within the derivatives markets. Harris brings 25 years of experience in surveillance, market conduct, data standards, and financial regulation, with prior roles at the CFTC and NFA, and experience in regulatory banking and financial services.

This is an internal personnel announcement and does not impose new obligations or require immediate action from regulated entities. Compliance officers should note the CFTC's continued emphasis on data strategy and analytics in market oversight and policymaking. The appointment suggests an ongoing focus on leveraging data to understand and regulate complex financial markets.

Source document (simplified)

Release Number 9196-26

CFTC Chairman Selig Announces Jessica Harris as Director, Division of Data and Chief Data Officer

March 16, 2026

WASHINGTON **** — Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Michael S. Selig today announced Jessica Harris as director, Division of Data, and chief data officer.

“I am pleased to welcome Jess back to the CFTC,” Chairman Selig said. “Data is integral to everything we do at the Commission from surveillance to policymaking and Jess’s decades of experience will ensure the CFTC has the right data strategy during this period of rapid transformation and innovation in the derivatives markets.”

“I am honored to return to the CFTC as the director of the Division of Data and the Chief Data Officer,” Harris said. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Chairman Selig for entrusting me with this important responsibility. I am eager to cultivate a culture of data excellence, encourage innovation, and reinforce the resilience of our financial markets.”

Harris’s background encompasses surveillance, market conduct, data standards, and financial regulation over a career spanning 25-years. Having previously held roles at both the CFTC and the NFA, combined with years of experience in regulatory banking and financial services, she has been deeply involved in leveraging data analytics and technology to address the complexities of the financial markets. Harris’s balanced approach to regulation and data utility supports data-driven insights into policy and practices.

Harris received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western Michigan University and her M.E. in systems engineering from the University of Virginia.

-CFTC-