At the beginning of 2009 the Securities and Exchange Commission faced enormous challenges. Embarrassing revelations regarding its failure with the Bernie Madoff scandal were coming to light as the unraveling credit crisis assured that its next chairman would oversee a regulatory overhaul not seen since the Great Depression. The chairman would need vast experience and the ability to work well across the aisle and with fellow regulators. Mary Schapiro was a logical choice.

Treasury and Risk's sister publication Futures Magazine met with Schapiro for an in-depth interview about what she has been able to accomplish over several volatile years and what important missions are on the horizon for the SEC.