FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is the largest non-governmental regulator for all securities firms doing business with the U.S. public. FINRA was created in 2007 through the consolidation of NASD and NYSE Member Regulation.

FINRA touches virtually every aspect of the securities business­from registering and educating all industry participants; to examining securities firms; writing rules that govern the industry, enforcing rules and the federal securities laws; informing and educating the investing public; helping firms pre-empt risk and stay in compliance; providing trade reporting and other industry utilities; and administering the largest dispute resolution forum in the securities industry for investors and registered firms.

At FINRA, we believe that understanding should precede investing­and that education is often the best form of investor protection. To this end, FINRA offers a broad range of tools and programs to help people better understand investing and know how to protect themselves along the way­including developing and publishing Investor Alerts, brochures and online resource guides on such critical topics as mutual fund class shares and 401(k) and college savings plans. FINRA has distributed this information through its Web site, printed materials and Investor Forums.

Lori is an associate director with the Office of Investor Education of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. Her work includes efforts to reduce the incidence of investment fraud among older investors. Previously she worked at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) where she received the Chairman’s Award for Excellence. An attorney with over ten years of experience in the area of investor education and advocacy, Lori holds joint Juris Doctor and Master in Taxation degrees from the University of Akron and a BA degree from Furman University.