SEC announces new director for investment division

The part of the Securities and Exchange Commission that oversees investment management will have a new director next week as incumbent William Birdthistle departs the agency.

His successor is Natasha Vij Greiner, currently the deputy director of the Division of Examinations, and a long-time member of the regulator’s team, with more than two decades in leadership roles. She has in-depth knowledge of the investment management industry and is the national associate director of the investment adviser/investment company examination program.

Greiner's experience includes working in the asset management unit of the SEC’s enforcement division, where she investigated possible violations of the federal securities laws and litigated matters in federal district court and administrative proceedings.

The division of investment management is responsible for overseeing regulatory policies for investment advisers and investment companies, including mutual funds and other products available to retail investors.

“I look forward to bringing my unique perspective and experience to this new role and continuing to support the SEC’s tripartite mission,” Greiner said.

William Birdthistle joined the SEC in 2021 and was a former corporate associate in the investment management practice at law firm Ropes & Gray in Boston. He also spent many years in academia and will return to that world upon leaving the SEC.

“Serving at the Securities and Exchange Commission has been the highest honor of my professional career, and I’m tremendously grateful for the inspiration and example set by my dedicated colleagues in the Division of Investment Management,” Birdthistle said. “I am particularly thankful to Chair Gensler for offering me this opportunity to join a cohort of exemplary public servants in their vigilant stewardship of America’s life savings.”