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Forum Staff
Susan Ferris Wyderko
President, CEO
Susan Wyderko is the President and CEO of the Mutual Fund Directors Forum. She joined the Forum as Executive Director in the Summer of 2006, coming from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission where she had been the Director of the Office of Investor Education and Assistance since 2000. She had earlier held a number of senior jobs within the Commission, and served as the Acting Director of the Division of Investment Management from January to May of 2006. During her tenure with the Commission, Ms. Wyderko also served as the Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs, the Acting Director of the Office of Public Affairs, and Counsel to Chairman Arthur Levitt. She joined the Commission's staff in 1985 as a staff attorney in the Office of the General Counsel, and also worked in the Trial Unit of the Division of Enforcement. Prior to joining the Commission, she worked as an associate at the law firm of Miller & Chevalier. Susan earned her J.D. from Cornell Law School , where she was an Editor of the Cornell Law Review. She is a graduate of Wellesley College.
David B. Smith, Jr.
Executive Vice President & General Counsel
David Smith is the Executive Vice President for Policy and Legal Affairs for the Mutual Fund Directors Forum. He joined the Forum's staff in November 2005. Previously, David served with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as Associate Director (Public Utility and Investment Company Regulation), and, prior to that, as Assistant General Counsel for Investment Management, Office of the General Counsel. Before that, he served as staff attorney, then Senior Counsel, with the same Office. Before joining the Commission in 1996, David was an associate at the law firm of Shea & Gardner, focusing on corporate and litigation issues. He served as Law Clerk to Judge Ginsburg of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals from 1993-1994. David received a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1993, a M.A. in English from the University of Chicago in 1989, and a B.A. from Carleton College in 1988.
Carolyn McPhillips
Counsel
Carolyn McPhillips serves as Counsel to the Mutual Fund Directors Forum. She joined the Forum's staff in July 2005. Immediately prior to joining the Forum, she lived in Naples, Italy. She was an associate in the Financial Services Group of Dechert LLP from 2000 to 2003. Carolyn received her J.D. in 2000 and her B.S. in 1996 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Michelle Y. Mesack
Counsel
Michelle Mesack serves as Counsel to the Mutual Fund Directors Forum. She joined the Forum's staff in 2011. From 2005 to 2011, she was an associate in the Investment Management Practice Group of K&L Gates LLP. Before joining K&L Gates, she worked for several members of Congress, including as a Legislative Assistant for Congressman John Shimkus. Michelle received her J.D., with high honors, in 2005 from The George Washington University Law School and her B.A., cum laude, in 1999 from The University of the South.
Dale Cockman
Director of Operations
Dale Cockman joined the forum in August, 2011. Prior to joining the Forum, Dale worked primarily as a program manager in federal government and small business settings. Dale holds a M.A. in experimental psychology from Louisiana State University and a B.A. in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Young Hee Kim
Business Manager
Young Hee Kim joined the forum in April 2012. Before joining the Forum, Young was a public affairs and research associate in the federal government and nonprofit settings. Young received her M.A. in international peace and conflict resolution from American University and a B.A. in Journalism and Technical Communications from Colorado State University.