MLA Places Kim Upshaw as Drexel University’s Vice President & Chief Compliance, Privacy and Internal Audit Officer

Hanover, MD (July 9, 2019) — Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA), the world’s leading legal search firm, today announced the placement of Kim P. Upshaw as vice president and chief compliance, privacy and internal audit officer for Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. The search was led by managing directors Deborah Thompson and Elizabeth Long, both of MLA’s In-House Practice Group in Philadelphia.

In her new role, Kim will be responsible for establishing a University Data Privacy & Security Program as well as a University Corporate Compliance Program. She will also oversee all ongoing activities related to the development, implementation, maintenance of and adherence to the university’s policies and procedures covering the privacy of and access to sensitive information, student information, customer information, personally identifiable information and patient health information in compliance with federal and state laws.

“Kim was the ideal fit for Drexel’s chief compliance, privacy and internal audit officer role as she is mission-driven and has an extensive healthcare compliance background, which will be of particular value to Drexel’s health sciences schools and organizations, as well as the university at large,” said Deborah Thompson.

“Not only is Kim ethical, agile and strategic, she also possesses an innovative, genuine and executive presence that seamlessly fits with Drexel’s culture,” said Elizabeth Long.

Kim comes to Drexel with more than  20 years of regulatory compliance, privacy and data protection. Before joining Drexel, Kim spent nine years with TridentUSA Health Services as vice president, compliance and privacy officer where she established an enterprise-wide Compliance and Privacy Program for the nation’s largest ancillary diagnostic and medical healthcare services company. Kim’s background also includes various leadership positions with Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical R&D, LLC; Centocor, Inc.; Widener University School of Law; and PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP.

“Working as a candidate with Deborah, Elizabeth and the team at MLA has been a tremendous experience. Their expertise and professionalism is top notch,” said Kim. “Upon their timely advice, regular updates and relevant guidance during the search process, I am privileged to join Drexel University. It is with great anticipation and excitement that I look forward to this opportunity to make a difference in the Drexel University community.”

Kim earned her J.D. from Villanova University School of Law, an LLM in Health Law from Widener University School of Law and a B.S. from Georgetown University.