Melissa Purcell

Melissa is a seasoned General Counsel with a dynamic career spanning roughly 15 years at the intersection of technology, legal strategy, privacy, compliance, and risk management. With a strong foundation in IT, artificial intelligence (AI), domestic and foreign data privacy, and regulatory compliance, along with a long history of litigation, she brings a unique perspective to the complex challenges of modern corporate governance. Prior to her role as General Counsel, Melissa had a long and successful career at JPMorgan Chase, where she held progressively senior roles, driving innovation and ensuring compliance across the rapidly evolving landscapes of financial technology, consumer protection, and global operations. At Chase, she led initiatives in AI-driven risk management and oversaw major compliance programs in the technology space, solidifying her reputation as a forward-thinking leader adept at balancing innovation with regulatory rigor. Before entering the financial services sector, she began her career in IT, leveraging her technical expertise to develop systems and frameworks that enhanced operational efficiency and data security. Her transition into AI marked a pivotal moment in her career, as she became a recognized advocate for the ethical use of technology and its applications in risk assessment. She realized the demand for an intersection between law and technology, and her passion for both allowed her to span that bridge and provide new and leading edge legal strategy in interesting ways, reducing error, red tape, and time to market, among other things. Today, as General Counsel, Melissa combines her deep technical knowledge with a pragmatic approach to legal and regulatory challenges in the litigation world. She advises on corporate strategy, ensures robust governance frameworks, and champions the integration of emerging technologies into business practices, all while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and integrity. She supports human procedure, marketing, operations, and IT, as well as the litigation staff. An advocate for diversity in leadership and technology, Ms. Purcell mentors aspiring professionals, encouraging the next generation of leaders to embrace interdisciplinary expertise. She holds a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University, a doctorate from Ohio Northern University, an MBA from Ohio State University, a Masters of Science in IT from Purdue, and is currently studying data privacy at Harvard Business School. She holds certifications in privacy (CIPP), as well as multiple areas of AI from AWS in DevOps, Development, Solutions Architecture, and Cloud Computing, reflecting her commitment to lifelong learning. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Melissa is passionate about pro bono work in poverty law and access to justice for poor and those with language barriers, and provides pro bono services in both arenas in all jurisdictions where she holds licensure, further exemplifying her dedication to making a positive impact both in and outside the boardroom.