Maine Securities Administrator Judith Shaw has been chosen to lead the oldest international association of state securities regulators, the state Office of Securities said Thursday.

Shaw assumed the presidency of the North American Securities Administrators Association, or NASAA, on Tuesday, the department said in a news release.

NASAA’s mission is to protect consumers in the U.S., Mexico, Canada and other North American territories who purchase securities or investment advice. Its jurisdiction extends to a wide variety of issuers and intermediaries who offer and sell securities to the public.

It is a voluntary position that Shaw said will not interfere with her current responsibilities in Maine.