Guidepost Solutions Launches National Security Practice Headed by Former Senior FBI Official, Stephanie Douglas Promoted to President of New Division

Stephanie Douglas / Ken Mendelson AIGP, CISSP, CIPP, CISA / Christopher R. Kim / Julie Myers Wood March 15, 2020

Guidepost Solutions, a global leader in compliance, investigations and security consulting, today announced the establishment of its National Security practice and the promotion of former senior FBI national security official Stephanie Douglas to president of the division. The group will assist companies and law firms in managing and meeting the challenges of complying with the ever-growing and complex array of government regulation in key areas including the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), sanctions and export controls, cybersecurity, and more. Douglas will split her time between the San Francisco and Washington, DC offices.

“Given her distinguished career in the public and private sectors, Stephanie is uniquely situated to assist those operating in the global business landscape,” said Julie Myers Wood, CEO, Guidepost Solutions. “Under her leadership, our National Security team will provide expert guidance and support to clients in mission-critical areas of their businesses as they navigate the complexities of building a compliant organization.”

Prior to joining Guidepost Solutions, Douglas served as the FBI’s executive assistant director for the National Security Branch, overseeing its global counterterrorism, counterintelligence and intelligence operations. She also served as the FBI’s chief intelligence officer. “The global nature of today’s business can often intersect with national security issues. We hope to work with businesses to better understand and mitigate those areas of concern, both for the client and for the government,” she said.

Douglas is joined by a veteran group of professionals with experience inside key agencies of the United States government, including the White House, Department of Justice, Department of the Treasury, Department of Commerce, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. Several still maintain high-level security clearances within the federal government.

“We are continuing to add talent to our highly qualified team,” added Douglas. “Kenneth Mendelson joined Guidepost Solutions earlier this year. He has worked for more than 25 years at the intersection of law, information technology and public policy. He specializes in compliance matters related to CFIUS and Team Telecom. And, last month Christopher Kim joined us with over 23 years of investigative and legal experience. Prior to joining Guidepost Solutions, his practice was focused on international financial institutions such as the World Bank Group sanctions matters, internal corporate investigations, and monitorships involving the U.S. government.

Stephanie Douglas wearing a black jacket and a necklace is smiling for the camera

Stephanie Douglas

President, National Security Practice

Stephanie Douglas focuses on sensitive internal and white-collar crime investigations, corporate security programs, intellectual property (IP) protection and investigations, and proactively educating executives about insider threats. She has extensive experience in the management of criminal and national security investigations, domestic and global security operations and policy development and strategy. Ms. Douglas has had a distinguished career in both the private and public sectors. After 23 years, she retired as a Senior Executive from the Federal Bureau of Investigations where she served in a variety of influential roles. She also served as the senior director of corporate security for Pacific Gas & Electric prior to joining Guidepost Solutions.

Ken Mendelson in a suit and tie smiling for a professional photograph

Ken Mendelson AIGP, CISSP, CIPP, CISA

Senior Managing Director

Ken Mendelson has spent more than 30 years at the intersection of law, information technology and public policy. As a member of the National Security Practice, Ken manages governance, risk and compliance projects and investigations, and conducts monitorships and third-party audits in connection with mitigation agreements enforced by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). In addition, he assists established and emerging companies with implementing and maintaining cybersecurity and privacy programs by developing cybersecurity policies, procedures and guidelines, and conducting risk-based cybersecurity assessments.

Christopher Kim in a suit and tie smiling for a professional photograph

Christopher R. Kim

Senior Managing Director

Christopher Kim is a senior managing director at Guidepost Solutions, and previously served as a senior investigator at the World Bank Group, where he planned, managed and directed multi-disciplinary teams in the audits of multinational corporations alleged to have been involved in fraud, corrupt and/or collusive practices.   Mr. Kim also coordinated numerous World Bank sanction complaints and/or cases with the other multi-lateral development banks and UN agencies.  He also managed a high profile investigation involving a World Bank staff member and parallel criminal investigations with several European criminal authorities.

guidepost solutions founder julie myers wood wearing a blue shirt and a black jacket

Julie Myers Wood

Chief Executive Officer

As the Chief Executive Officer of Guidepost Solutions, I focus on helping corporations resolve problems with government agencies, and ensure they are proactively addressing compliance requirements. Prior to joining the private sector, I held leadership positions with the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, Commerce, Treasury and Justice. This includes serving as the Head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security’s largest investigative component, as well as the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement and the Chief of Staff for the Criminal Division at the Department of Justice. Throughout my government and private sector career, I have helped develop, implement and execute compliance programs and crisis management plans and responses across a wide range of industries for numerous companies. I am nationally recognized as a speaker for my expertise on compliance, security, immigration and other law enforcement issues and have testified before Congress.

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