Director of Contracts & Compliance | Contract Strategy, Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

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Kathy Harrell-Latham is an attorney and certified Project Management Professional who brings extensive experience across legal, compliance, operations, and government programs. She specializes in contract strategy and lifecycle management, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, internal audit, and federally funded programs, helping organizations establish the disciplined frameworks and controls required to execute complex projects and manage risk effectively.

Kathy began her career in private practice with a leading regional law firm, where she focused on restructuring, bankruptcy, commercial litigation, and employment law. She subsequently held leadership roles overseeing legal, compliance, and operations for organizations serving government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and high-growth businesses. In these roles, she designed and implemented compliance programs, internal audit functions, and standardized contracting processes, while managing portfolios of federally funded projects and coordinating funding, reporting, and audit requirements across local, state, tribal, and federal agencies.

Her experience bridges law, operations, and project management, enabling her to translate complex contractual and regulatory requirements into practical processes that support disciplined execution. She brings a hands-on approach to identifying risk, strengthening controls, and aligning stakeholders around clear requirements, accountability, and execution.

As Director of Contracts & Compliance, Kathy works closely with National Real Estate Management Group's leadership and operating teams across the investment lifecycle. She leads contract strategy, negotiation, review, and risk mitigation across acquisitions, development and construction, property management, and strategic partnerships. She also advises on local, state, and federally funded work, helping protect funding eligibility, strengthen audit readiness, and support effective relationships with government, institutional, corporate, and nonprofit partners.

Kathy reinforces the operational discipline that underpins National Real Estate Management Group's operator-led approach. By integrating legal and regulatory expertise with practical project execution, she helps the firm identify and manage risk proactively, strengthen governance and accountability, and support consistent execution across its investment and operating activities.

A cum laude graduate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Kathy brings a collaborative, results-oriented leadership style grounded in integrity, transparency, and disciplined execution. Her work supports National Real Estate Management Group's ability to execute effectively for its investors and partners while creating long-term value for the communities it serves.