After a distinguished career in higher education and law, and an impactful tenure of more than 23 years of service to UC San Diego, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer (CECO) Judy Bruner will be retiring on June 27, 2025. I am grateful for her service and leadership, which have had a significant, positive impact on our university’s culture which will last well into the future.
As our inaugural CECO and key member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet, Judy has served as a transformational leader of UC San Diego, shaping our strategic decision making, risk management and strong culture of compliance.
Over the course of her tenure, Judy founded and developed what has become a best-in-class compliance program—a model now emulated by institutions across the country. Her strategic foresight led to the recognition of UC San Diego as a center of excellence in institutional Enterprise Risk Management, an innovative framework that continues to strengthen the university’s ability to proactively identify and address risk. A respected leader within the University of California system, Judy has been a trusted adviser and influential voice in matters of compliance, ethics and policy at both campus and systemwide levels.
Prior to her work at UC San Diego, Judy was an attorney, practiced labor and employment law, and was Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs and Academic Planning at the University of San Diego School of Law.
In 2002, Judy began at UC San Diego as the first Campus Ombudsperson, where she demonstrated her commitment to fostering respectful and inclusive environments, and provided a safe and confidential space for countless members of the university community. Her impact has extended well beyond campus. She served for five years on the Board of Directors of the International Ombuds Association (IOA) and was part of the historic effort that united The Ombudsman Association and the University and College Ombuds Association to become the IOA. Judy also hosted the inaugural IOA conference in San Diego in 2006, co-chaired the organization’s first Legal Committee, and helped lead national efforts to define and preserve the independent and confidential nature of the ombuds function.
Throughout her tenure as CECO, Judy led and supported several high-performing teams including Audit & Management Advisory Services (AMAS), the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD), the Ombuds Office, Athletics Compliance, CARE at the Sexual Assault Resource Center, and the Division of Ethics and Compliance. Her leadership has elevated these units and ensured that UC San Diego continues to advance its mission with integrity and compassion.
Her critical work has enabled UC San Diego to conduct world-class research, positively impact our community, and uphold our mission as a destination public university that is student centered, research driven, patient dedicated and service oriented.
Judy’s contributions have left an indelible mark on UC San Diego. We are grateful for her dedicated service and celebrate her outstanding contributions, which have paved the way for the continued success of our institution. Please join me in expressing our deepest appreciation for her leadership, vision and tireless service—and in wishing her all the best in this well-earned next chapter.
An announcement regarding an interim CECO and the search for a permanent CECO will be forthcoming.
