Kathy Carlson, JD, LLM, CCEP serves as the Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer for the University of Texas System (UT System). She is responsible for leading the Office of Systemwide Compliance, providing strategic direction and oversight for comprehensive compliance and ethics programs across the UT System. Kathy also serves as a key resource and advisor to the UT System institutions, supporting their efforts to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability.
With experience in both higher education and the corporate sector, Kathy has held multiple compliance and legal leadership roles. She began her legal career in 2012 as a compliance and employment attorney at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), where she advanced into a leadership role within the Office of Legal & Regulatory Affairs. Her work there included strengthening compliance programs, launching an investigation function, and redesigning policies and training initiatives. In 2020, Kathy transitioned to Waste Management (WM), a Fortune 200 company with 60,000 employees worldwide, and she established a new department in the legal department responsible for investigations, mitigating risks, and enhancing ethics and compliance.
Kathy earned a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management (Cum Laude) from New York University (2005), a Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law (2012), and a Master of Laws in Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management from Loyola University Chicago School of Law (2023). She also holds the designation of Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP).
Last updated January 2026
