Chetna Koshy, Associate Vice President, Ethics, Compliance and Enterprise Risk & Chief Compliance Officer.
Chetna leads the Ethics, Compliance, and Enterprise Risk programs at Rice. She provides strategic direction and oversight for the Ethics and Compliance program and promotes the university’s ethical behavior and compliance culture. Chetna is responsible for bringing existing and emerging compliance and enterprise risk matters to the attention of university management and the board of trustees. She serves as the university policy manager and leads the Executive Compliance Committee that includes executives responsible for managing compliance with governmental laws and regulations in their respective areas.
Chetna received her B.A. from Rice in Political Science and Psychology and her J.D. from the University of Houston. She is a licensed attorney admitted to practice in Texas and the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Western Districts of Texas. She is a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional International (CCEP-I) and Certified in Healthcare Research Compliance (CHRC). Chetna is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Society of Ethics and Corporate Compliance, Health Care Compliance Association, and the National Association of College and University Attorneys. Before returning to Rice, Chetna served as NYU Abu Dhabi’s Chief Compliance Officer. She has also guest lectured in undergraduate courses on ethics, labor and economics, business and human rights, social responsibility, and international business law at NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai, and undergraduate and graduate courses in ethics at Rice.
Omer Ahmed, Senior Director, Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance, is responsible for designing and implementing a top-tier ERM and Compliance program that aligns with the university's strategic objectives. His work involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating risk across the university, fostering a proactive culture of risk management and compliance, ensuring adherence to regulatory frameworks, and embedding risk management practices into organizational decision-making. Omer also collaborates with key stakeholders to establish comprehensive frameworks for monitoring, reporting, and continuously enhancing risk and compliance initiatives.
Before joining Rice University last year, Omer was Director of Enterprise Risk Management at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where he spearheaded the university's ERM program and oversaw risks linked to major business transformations and strategic projects. Prior to UBC, he served as the Associate Director of Enterprise Risk and Internal Assurance at New York University (NYU), playing an instrumental role in establishing the ERM function at NYU's Abu Dhabi campus.
He is a frequent speaker at risk forums, sharing insights and best practices from his experience in the field.
Joanne Baptista, Assistant Director, Youth Protection and Compliance, joined Rice University in January 2021. Before joining the Office of Ethics, Compliance, and Enterprise Risk, she served as the Welcome Center Manager on campus. As the Assistant Director, Youth Protection and Compliance, she serves as the primary consultant for youth protection in programs on or off campus. Joanne manages Rice’s Youth Protection Compliance System and provides advice and guidance to the university community. She also provides guidance to address compliance inquiries related to Rice volunteers, student activities, and campus events. Joanne is a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) and is a college associate for Martel College.
Joanne has a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University – College Station.
Derek Bell, Assistant Director, Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management, is a proud native Houstonian. He holds a bachelor’s degree in general business from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and a master’s degree in Student Affairs and Higher Education from Texas State University. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at UTSA, Derek combines academic rigor with over a decade of professional experience in higher education. His expertise spans impactful roles in Residential Life, Student Conduct, and Title IX at institutions such as UTSA, UT Austin, Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), and UT Health San Antonio. In his role at Rice, Derek oversees the staff conflict of interest disclosure process and the policy management process in the Office of Ethics, Compliance, and Enterprise Risk. Derek joined Rice in November 2024 and is currently a community associate at Wiess College.
Maria Montemayor, Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management Coordinator, plays a key role in supporting the Office of Ethics, Compliance, and Enterprise Risk (OECE). In this position, Maria is responsible for coordinating compliance and enterprise risk records, maintaining databases, compiling metrics, and supporting various initiatives aimed at enhancing awareness of compliance risk, including OECE’s Annual Ethics and Compliance Symposium. With a strong focus on organization, written and visual communication, and strategic project execution, Maria contributes to the university's efforts in risk management while ensuring the OECE’s services run efficiently. Prior to this role, Maria served as the Assistant Director of MBA Recruiting at the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University. In that capacity, Maria led recruitment efforts, coordinated events, and managed relationships with prospective students, all while ensuring a seamless and professional experience for all stakeholders. Maria's diverse experience in higher education has equipped her with a strong ability to manage complex projects, prioritize effectively, and collaborate across various departments. Maria holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin.