Donna Bucella

NAFUSA Sponsor Guidepost Solutions LLC announced on December 1, 2015 that NAFUSA member Donna A. Bucella, a former U.S. Attorney who served in several top government posts, has joined Guidepost Solutions as president of its compliance business in the company’s Washington, D.C. office.

“Bringing Donna on our team reflects our strong commitment to help companies strengthen and streamline their processes for addressing compliance, ethics and risk management,” stated Chief Executive Officer of Guidepost Solutions, Julie Myers Wood. “Her strong history of leadership and experience from the business and public sectors will greatly benefit our clients and complement our very talented team of compliance and investigative professionals.” Wood, who served as head of ICE in the Bush administration, was a participant on the panel on immigration at NAFUSA’s Atlanta conference in 2012. Wood is married to NAFUSA member John Frederick Wood (ED Missouri, 2007-2009).

In 2013, Bucella joined Education Management Corporation as senior vice president, risk and compliance, and chief compliance officer to create an independent compliance department; develop employee ethics and compliance training; and improve and expand its corporate compliance and internal investigations program. She practiced law with Foley & Lardner LLP and Steel, Hector and Davis LLP in the areas of complex business litigation, white collar defense, internal corporate investigations, and compliance.  Her private sector experience also includes serving as senior vice president at Perot Systems Government Services, and as senior vice president at Bank of America.

Previously, Bucella was the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida.  She also served as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Director of the Office of Legal Education for the U.S. Department of Justice, and Director of the Executive Office for the United States Attorneys.  Bucella’s additional government experience includes serving as Assistant Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Intelligence and Investigative Liaison; being selected by the President of the United States and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to become the first Director of the Terrorist Screening Center which she created from inception and led it to full operational capacity as it exists today; and joining the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, after 9/11, as the first Southeast Area Director responsible for the operations of 80 federalized airports. She retired at the rank of Colonel from the U.S. Army Reserves.

She currently serves as senior advisor for the Risk Assistance Network +Exchange (RANE) and is a member of various organizations including the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), Bureau of Diplomatic Security for the U.S. Department of State; Infragard; Stetson University College of Law Advisory Board for National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law; and the American Bar Association. For several of these organizations she has served in an advisory capacity or as a member of its Board of Directors.

Throughout her career, Bucella has been the recipient of numerous awards, decorations, and military medals including the Legion of Merit and the United States Attorney General’s Exceptional Service Award, the highest award given by the Attorney General.  She is a frequent speaker and instructor on topics related to investigations, compliance, intelligence and terrorism.  Bucella received a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law.

Guidepost Solutions (www.guidepostsolutions.com) is a global leader in investigations; due diligence; cyber and technology security consulting; immigration and cross-border consulting; and monitoring and compliance solutions.  Its professional team includes former federal and state prosecutors and law enforcement officials and leaders in the security, investigations, intelligence, and public safety communities. Guidepost Solutions is headquartered in New York and maintains offices and facilities across the globe including Chicago; Dallas; Honolulu; London; Los Angeles; Oakland; Palm Beach; Sacramento; San Francisco; Seattle; Singapore and Washington, D.C.