Full Name
Zara Gerald
Job Title
Managing Director & Chief Counsel
Company
Charles Schwab
Speaker Bio
Zara Roberts Gerald has spent the past 25 years helping companies grow and achieve their goals in evolving business, legal, and regulatory environments. Ms. Gerald has led multi-national, cross-functional teams of legal, government affairs, and security professionals on complex projects, providing strategic oversight following changes in control, business downturns, and M&A. She is a recognized expert in legal issues involving privacy, security, AI and digital transformation in the financial services, identity, and national security industries.
In 2020, Ms. Gerald joined Charles Schwab & Co. as Managing Director and Chief Counsel where she oversees a team of attorneys responsible for advising the company on technology, commercial transactions, privacy and cybersecurity, marketing and brand protection, and e-commerce. Ms. Gerald previously served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of IDEMIA North America and was a member of the board’s Risk Committee. At IDEMIA, she successfully oversaw restructuring and integration initiatives aimed at operational efficiency, talent development, and cost optimization. In addition, Ms. Gerald led board-level crisis committees that resolved issues of employee safety and business continuity arising from the global pandemic. Earlier, Ms. Gerald served as Vice President and General Counsel of a global business unit of Gemalto (now Thales) that sells encryption, authentication and software monetization products to technology, financial services, and government customers. During her time at Gemalto, Ms. Gerald was recognized for directing strategic communications when the company was named by Edward Snowden as a target of surreptitious government intrusions into company networks.
Ms. Gerald is a sought-after speaker on issues facing boards of directors including use of facial recognition algorithms, national security, and international relations. Ms. Gerald is a vocal advocate for and frequent panelist on achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition to her corporate board experience, she previously served on the Board of Trustees of KinderSmile Foundation and currently serves on the board of Girls on the Run of Montgomery County.
Ms. Gerald received her B.A. from Rutgers University and her J.D. from Fordham Law School. She is fluent in Spanish and proficient in French. During weekends, Ms. Gerald can be found spending time outdoors hiking with her husband, Larry, along the Appalachian Trail or completing chapters of her memoir.
In 2020, Ms. Gerald joined Charles Schwab & Co. as Managing Director and Chief Counsel where she oversees a team of attorneys responsible for advising the company on technology, commercial transactions, privacy and cybersecurity, marketing and brand protection, and e-commerce. Ms. Gerald previously served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of IDEMIA North America and was a member of the board’s Risk Committee. At IDEMIA, she successfully oversaw restructuring and integration initiatives aimed at operational efficiency, talent development, and cost optimization. In addition, Ms. Gerald led board-level crisis committees that resolved issues of employee safety and business continuity arising from the global pandemic. Earlier, Ms. Gerald served as Vice President and General Counsel of a global business unit of Gemalto (now Thales) that sells encryption, authentication and software monetization products to technology, financial services, and government customers. During her time at Gemalto, Ms. Gerald was recognized for directing strategic communications when the company was named by Edward Snowden as a target of surreptitious government intrusions into company networks.
Ms. Gerald is a sought-after speaker on issues facing boards of directors including use of facial recognition algorithms, national security, and international relations. Ms. Gerald is a vocal advocate for and frequent panelist on achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition to her corporate board experience, she previously served on the Board of Trustees of KinderSmile Foundation and currently serves on the board of Girls on the Run of Montgomery County.
Ms. Gerald received her B.A. from Rutgers University and her J.D. from Fordham Law School. She is fluent in Spanish and proficient in French. During weekends, Ms. Gerald can be found spending time outdoors hiking with her husband, Larry, along the Appalachian Trail or completing chapters of her memoir.
