Wake Forest appoints new leaders in audit and compliance

Last academic year, the Board of Trustees supported a plan for separating audit services and compliance services into two distinct units. This strategic move will enable each function to operate with greater clarity of purpose and accountability while continuing to collaborate across campus. In support of this transition, two new dedicated leaders were recruited to oversee each area, ensuring expert guidance and strong leadership for each unit.

Kenneth Liddle named chief compliance and privacy officer

Liddle joined Wake Forest University on June 16 as chief compliance and privacy officer. He brings more than a decade of experience in higher education compliance and privacy. He most recently served as senior compliance and risk manager at FIFA and has held leadership roles at Northeastern University and Rice University. At both institutions, he developed and led enterprise-wide compliance and privacy programs, including implementing successful compliance strategies and centralizing policy management.

Liddle has a record of building effective compliance structures and engaging cross-functional teams to identify and manage compliance risks that align with institutional priorities. In his new role, Liddle will enhance and streamline compliance efforts, foster collaboration across the organization and drive a culture of proactive risk management. 

Liddle holds a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and a Bachelor of Science in accountancy from Trinity University.

Juan Rivera named chief audit officer

Juan Rivera will begin his role as chief audit officer on June 30. In this position, Rivera will develop, lead, and execute the University’s internal auditing strategy. The chief audit officer provides critical support to the University by creating multi-year audit plans and identifying enhanced internal control strategies to ensure effective implementation. 

Rivera brings more than 20 years of extensive experience in finance, risk management, and compliance across multiple industries. He most recently served as vice president of internal audit at Gartner Inc. His previous experience also includes leadership roles at American Express Global Business Travel and Chiquita Brands International.

Rivera holds a Master of Business Administration in global management through the OneMBA program at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University in the Netherlands—a global partnership that includes the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, among others. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a focus in finance and accounting from Xavier University.