Jess Harris

Information

Position

Director, Division of Data

Company

Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)

About

Jessica Harris is the Director of the Division of Data at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Harris is responsible for the Commission’s enterprise data strategy and data governance approaches. DOD creates data architecture and centers of excellence for analytics, visualization, and storage of data. In addition, DOD supports the Commission’s strategic objectives surrounding data and analytics through collaboration with other Divisions and Offices, including ingest of data from registered entities pursuant to the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations, as well as integration of that data with other data source. Harris has over 25 years of experience in surveillance, market conduct, data standards, and financial regulation. Having previously held roles at both the CFTC and the National Futures Association, combined with an extensive background 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. As a consultant, she managed client engagements centered on surveillance, market conduct, risk assessments, regulatory reporting, and regulatory compliance. She has worked with financial institutions of different sizes and registration categories to assess that their risk and compliance programs meet operational and regulatory standards. She has also served as an expert for criminal and civil agencies, providing analysis in support of investigations and litigations, including, examination of potential price manipulation, disruptive trading, trade practice/spoofing, market abuse, fraud, and collusion. In connection with these matters, she developed quantitative models to identify patterns of anomalistic trading behavior. In her previous role in the CFTC’s Division of Enforcement, she conducted investigations into allegations of disruptive trading practices, market manipulation, fraud, registration, and sales solicitation. At the NFA, she managed audits of members firms, analyzed financial statements, and rule violations. Education M.E, University of Virginia (Systems Engineering) B.B.A., Western Michigan University