Hillsdale College Alum Named Innovation Director at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
2003 graduate Paul Watkins named director of bureau’s new Office of Innovation
Hillsdale, Mich. – Hillsdale College congratulates 2003 graduate Paul Watkins on being named director of the Office of Innovation at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
“Paul has been hard at work for the American people since he graduated from Hillsdale, and we’re proud to see his dedication recognized in this new leadership role,” said Ken Koopmans, executive director of Hillsdale Col-lege’s career services. “We look forward to seeing what great initiatives come out of his office as he takes the helm of this new venture at the CFPB.”
Watkins completed his undergraduate degree at Hillsdale College in 2003 before going on to earn his J.D. at Harvard Law School in 2006. Before taking his new role at the CFPB, he served as chief counsel in the civil litigation division of the Arizona Office of the Attorney General where he worked on cases dealing with consumer fraud, civil rights, antitrust and collections. He also led the office’s fintech initiatives and managed the nation’s first fintech sandbox, the FinTech Regulatory Sandbox. Watkins also previously served as an associate with Covington & Burling LLP, a clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and an associate for Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.
The Office of Innovation at the CFPB was recently created by acting director Mick Mulvaney to promote innovation and expand competition and consumer access in financial services. As director, Watkins will lead efforts to shape policy, examine regulations and work with entrepreneurs and investors toward an innovation-friendly economy.