Karen B. Dietrich

Karen B. Dietrich is the Director of the Office of International Affairs. She leads the PCAOB's efforts to negotiate and implement cooperative arrangements with non-U.S. auditor oversight bodies and represents the PCAOB internationally.

Ms. Dietrich has been with the PCAOB since 2007, when she first joined the Office of International Affairs. She served as the Acting Director from January to March 2022. Her responsibilities have included the negotiation and implementation of bilateral agreements with audit regulators in a variety of non-U.S. jurisdictions, participation in the PCAOB’s activities related to the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators, and coordination of the PCAOB’s International Institute on Audit Regulation. Between 2011 and 2017, she served as Special Counsel to PCAOB Board Member Jay Hanson. 

Prior to joining the PCAOB, Ms. Dietrich practiced law with firms in Boston and Washington, D.C., specializing in securities litigation, white-collar criminal and civil enforcement matters, and complex commercial litigation. Ms. Dietrich earned a B.A. with distinction and a J.D. with high honors, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a member of the Bar in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Massachusetts (inactive).