Jody Gilzene, Esq.

Founder & Senior Executive Officer
U.S. Air Force Veteran

Jody Gilzene is a distinguished strategist and advisor with over 20 years of experience navigating high-consequence legal, regulatory, and operational landscapes.

As the founder of Knapdale Group, she delivers a rare 360-degree perspective to senior executives, creative directors, and investigative teams, bridging the gap between technical complexity and mission-critical execution.

Executive Experience & Leadership
Prior to founding Knapdale Group, Jody served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for Global Financial Crimes at the nation’s largest financial institution. In this capacity, she provided high-stakes advisory to senior leadership on government investigations, cross-border financial crime, and enterprise-wide risk mitigation.

Her foundation in federal enforcement was built during her tenure as a Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice. There, she led complex federal investigations into corruption, fraud, and financial crimes, managing the intersection of justice and sophisticated regulatory frameworks.

Service & Global Perspective
A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Jody served on active duty as a Judge Advocate (JAG). Her service spanned multiple domestic and international assignments, including a deployment to the Middle East, where she operated in fluid, high-pressure legal and operational environments.

Academic Credentials
+ MBA, Cornell University
+ LLM in Securities & Financial Regulation, Georgetown University
+ JD, Cooley Law School
+ BA, Criminal Justice, University of Illinois at Chicago