#USA #Washington #SEC #CII #Mellissa Duru

Mellissa Campbell Duru Joins CII as Deputy Director and Deputy General Counsel

The Council of Institutional Investors (CII) is thrilled to announce the recent appointment of Mellissa Campbell Duru to the positions of Deputy Director and Deputy General Counsel. This pivotal move is expected to bolster CII's initiatives in investor protection and corporate governance, positioning the organization for future success and growth.

CII Executive Director Glenn Davis expressed his enthusiasm regarding Duru's appointment: "Mellissa brings an invaluable combination of experience, knowledge, and commitment to investor protection, all of which will help CII serve its members well for years to come." This statement reflects the high expectations that accompany Duru's extensive qualifications and her readiness to contribute positively to CII's mission.

Background and Experience

Duru's career spans a diverse range of experiences that make her an ideal fit for CII. Before joining CII, she held a partnership at a prominent law firm specializing in Securities Regulatory and Corporate Governance. In her role there, she provided advice to boards, corporate executives, and industry groups about various legal complexities. These included SEC compliance, shareholder activism, sustainability reporting, and the evolving landscape of digital assets and global tokenization rules.

From 2023 to 2025, Duru served as Deputy Director of Legal and Regulatory Policy in the SEC's Division of Corporation Finance. During this time, she oversaw crucial departments, including those responsible for rulemaking, mergers and acquisitions, and international corporate finance, showcasing her leadership capabilities in high-stakes environments.

Prior to her work in the SEC, Duru spent 17 years in various roles within the organization, serving as counsel to Commissioner Kara Stein and functioning as a cybersecurity legal and policy advisor. Her adept handling of mergers and acquisitions issues and her role as a Brookings Institute LEGIS Congressional Fellow in the office of Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) further underscore her qualifications.

Duru earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School and holds a B.A. with first-class honors from McGill University, emphasizing her strong academic foundation which complements her vast professional knowledge.

Commitment to Shareholder Rights

Upon her appointment, Duru remarked, "CII has always been, and will continue to be, a necessary voice that provides balanced, reasoned, and sensible viewpoints that help safeguard the interests of all investors while protecting the transparency and integrity of our capital markets. I am thrilled to join CII at this critical time when shareholder rights increasingly need protection." This statement reflects her enthusiasm for taking on the challenges ahead and underscores a collective commitment to fostering a more equitable investment climate.

About the Council of Institutional Investors

The Council of Institutional Investors is a non-profit, nonpartisan association, representing U.S. asset owners, primarily pension funds, state and local entities charged with managing public assets, along with endowments and foundations. Collectively, these organizations have global assets exceeding $5.6 trillion. CII's associate members include non-U.S. asset owners with over $6.6 trillion in assets, alongside various asset managers controlling over $90 trillion in global assets. CII's advocacy lends an essential voice to effective corporate governance, strengthening shareholder rights, and ensuring sensible financial regulations.

In summary, as Mellissa Campbell Duru takes the helm at CII alongside her team, her wealth of knowledge and passion for investor rights will undoubtedly drive the organization forward into a future where transparency and ethical governance take precedence in capital markets.