Jane Norberg Named Chief of SEC Whistleblower Office

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Jane Norberg has been promoted to chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower. 

Ms. Norberg joined the SEC in 2012 as the first deputy chief of the Office of the Whistleblower and helped establish the office, which intakes and reviews whistleblower tips received by the agency, evaluates whistleblower award claims, and makes recommendations on whether claimants have satisfied eligibility requirements to receive an award.

Ms. Norberg has served as acting chief since the departure of the office’s inaugural chief Sean McKessy.

“In its short history, our whistleblower program has had a transformative impact on our agency, and Jane has played a significant role as deputy of the Office of the Whistleblower,” said Andrew J. Ceresney, Director of the SEC’s Enforcement Division.  “I am proud of the program’s accomplishments, and I know that Jane will continue to ensure the program is a game changer for years to come.”

Ms. Norberg said, “It has been an honor serving in the roles of deputy and acting chief and working with staff extremely dedicated to the mission.  I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to continue the work of the office and remain committed to making whistleblowers feel welcome and protected in reporting to the Commission.” 

Since Ms. Norberg has been with the SEC’s Whistleblower Office, the Commission’s awards to whistleblowers have surpassed the $100 million mark and enforcement actions resulting from whistleblower tips have resulted in order for more than $500 million in financial remedies, much of which has been returned to harmed investors.  In addition, the office has received more than 14,000 whistleblower tips from individuals in every state in the country as well as the District of Columbia and 95 foreign countries.  The SEC also has brought actions to ensure that employees feel secure in reporting wrongdoing to the SEC without fear of reprisal from their employers, including its first settled enforcement action under the anti-retaliation provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act and five settled enforcement actions against companies for violating Rule 21F-17 that prohibits anyone from taking any action to impede communications with the SEC about possible securities law violations, including one case announced earlier today.

Before joining the SEC, Ms. Norberg was in private law practice, including at Shearman & Sterling LLP.  Ms. Norberg previously served as a special agent for the U.S. Secret Service, where her duties included providing protection to the President, Vice President and visiting foreign dignitaries as well as conducting criminal investigations into federal crimes.  Ms. Norberg earned her law degree with honors from St. John’s University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminal justice from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.