The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Nekia Hackworth Jones, Deputy Director of the Division of Enforcement (Southeast), concluded her tenure with the agency on December 26, 2025.“I am thankful to Nekia for answering the call to…
This SEC press release announces the departure of Nekia Hackworth Jones, Deputy Director of the Division of Enforcement (Southeast), who concluded her tenure on December 26, 2025, after overseeing enforcement investigations and litigations across Washington D.C., Atlanta, and Miami offices. It matters to compliance professionals as personnel changes in SEC Enforcement leadership can signal potential shifts in enforcement priorities, investigation focus, or regional scrutiny intensity in the Southeast U.S.
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What Changed
There are no main regulatory changes, new requirements, or policy updates in this announcement; it is solely a personnel departure notice with no substantive regulatory implications.
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What You Need To Do
- related delays and monitor for successor announcements via https://www
Key Dates
December 26, 2025 - Nekia Hackworth Jones concludes her tenure at the SEC.
December 29, 2025 - SEC issues press release announcing the departure.
Compliance Impact
Urgency: low - This is a routine leadership transition with no immediate regulatory or enforcement changes; it matters peripherally for firms anticipating shifts in SEC Enforcement priorities under new leadership, but lacks direct compliance obligations.
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The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Cicely LaMothe, Deputy Director of the Division of Corporation Finance, has retired from the agency.“Cicely has gone above and beyond the call of duty over the past twenty-four years to serve…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission today filed charges against purported crypto asset trading platforms Morocoin Tech Corp., Berge Blockchain Technology Co. Ltd., and Cirkor Inc. and investment clubs AI Wealth Inc., Lane Wealth Inc., AI Investment…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that financial economist and academic scholar Dr. Joshua T. White will return to the agency beginning the week of Jan. 5, 2026, to serve as its Chief Economist and Director of the Division of…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of the Investor Advocate today delivered its Report on Activities for the Fiscal Year 2025 to Congress, highlighting the initiatives and work of the office during the fiscal year.The report includes:An…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the agenda and panelists for its Dec. 16, 2025, roundtable on Rule 611 of Regulation NMS and other associated rules and regulatory requirements.The roundtable will be held at the University of Austin…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Lori J. Schock, who has served as the Director of the Office of Investor Education and Assistance (OIEA) since 2009, will retire from the agency at the end of December.“I have known Lori for…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Crypto Task Force has announced the agenda and panelists for its rescheduled Roundtable on Financial Surveillance and Privacy.“New technologies give us a fresh opportunity to recalibrate financial surveillance…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Cristina Martin Firvida, who has served as the Director of the Office of the Investor Advocate since January 2023, will conclude her tenure with the agency at the end of January 2026. As…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Investor Advisory Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Dec. 4, 2025, at 10 a.m. ET. The meeting will be webcast on the SEC website.The committee will host two panels:Regulatory Changes in Corporate…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Crypto Task Force has rescheduled its Financial Surveillance and Privacy Roundtable, previously scheduled for October, to Monday, Dec. 15, 2025.“I am looking forward to getting this event back on the calendar…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Examinations today released its 2026 examination priorities. The Division publishes its annual examination priorities to provide transparency to registrants and investors about the topics that the…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Antonia M. Apps, Deputy Director of the Division of Enforcement (Northeast), will conclude her tenure with the agency effective Dec. 1, 2025. “I thank Antonia for her steadfast leadership in…
This SEC press release announces the departure of Antonia M. Apps, Deputy Director of the Division of Enforcement (Northeast), effective December 1, 2025. It signals ongoing leadership transitions within the restructured Enforcement Division under new SEC Chair Paul Atkins, which may influence enforcement priorities, transparency, and regional consistency, requiring firms to adapt compliance strategies amid a "return to basics" approach focused on core investor protection.
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What Changed
This announcement itself introduces no new regulatory changes or requirements; it is a personnel update. However, it occurs amid broader Enforcement Division restructuring, including:
Consolidation from one Deputy Director to four (three regional: Northeast, Southeast, West; one for specialized units), reducing reporting lines for a more unified nationwide enforcement program.
Rescission in March 2025 of delegated authority for the Enforcement Director to issue formal orders of investigation, no
What You Need To Do
- Review ongoing Northeast Regional Office investigations for potential leadership changes and engage early with new deputies on cooperation opportunities
- Enhance internal self-reporting and remediation protocols to align with Enforcement's stated rewards for cooperation and robust Wells processes
- Update compliance training on restructured reporting lines and Commission-authorized formal orders, ensuring defenses stick to established securities laws rather than novel theories
- Monitor SEC staff directory for replacement announcements, such as potential roles for Samuel Waldon or others in the Northeast
Key Dates
December 1, 2025 - Antonia M. Apps concludes her tenure as Deputy Director of Enforcement (Northeast).[User Query]
December 26, 2025 - Nekia Hackworth Jones concluded her tenure as Deputy Director of Enforcement (Southeast).
March 2025 - SEC rescinded delegation of formal order authority to Enforcement Director.
April 2025 - Nekia Hackworth Jones appointed Deputy Director (Southeast).
September 2, 2025 - Margaret A. Ryan appointed Director of Enforcement.
Compliance Impact
Urgency: Low - This is a routine personnel change with no immediate regulatory shifts or deadlines post-December 1, 2025. It matters indirectly as part of 2025's Enforcement Division overhaul (15% headcount reduction, regional consolidation), likely leading to prioritized, transparent enforcement on
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The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Stacey Bowers, who has served as the Director of the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation, will depart the agency effective October 17, 2025. She has served as Director…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission today published a concept release soliciting public comment on how to improve current SEC rules governing residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and certain aspects of asset-backed securities (ABS) generally…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Ken Johnson, who has been serving as Chief Operating Officer (COO) since December 2017, will retire from the agency in December. “Ken has been an integral leader at the SEC for more than two…
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