Jill Sanborn

Retired Executive Assistant Director of National Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Jill Sanborn is a national security and geopolitical risk executive and strategic advisor who brings broad leadership and decades of national security experience to mission driven organizations. Her expertise helps executive teams navigate today’s global risk environment. She is an effective leader who builds collaborative teams and cross-functional solutions. Jill is qualified to serve CEOs and boards from start-ups to public companies seeking to maintain resilience and grow globally.

Jill recently served as the Senior Director for Geopolitical Strategy and Risk at Roku. Prior to joining Roku, Jill served nearly 24 years in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), where she provided valuable strategic and operational counsel. Jill retired as the executive assistant director (EAD) of the National Security Branch where she led a global workforce of 8,000 personnel, managed an operating budget of $330 million, and developed and led the FBI’s national security strategy.

As EAD, Jill made sure the FBI executed its mission to defend the United States and its interests from all national security threats. Jill represented the FBI on all national security matters, frequently engaged the National Security Council, appeared in front of Congress, and served on the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice.

Prior to serving as EAD, Jill served as the Assistant Director of the Counterterrorism Division, where she oversaw thousands of terrorism investigations, disrupted multiple plots, responded to crisis events, and extradited numerous terrorism subjects to the U.S.

Jill is a well-respected strategic leader known for her inclusive and collaborative approach to mitigating risk and developing strategic solutions. Throughout her 24-year career, Jill served the FBI, the Department of Justice, and the American people with a strong commitment to the mission, to partnerships, and to her colleagues.

After joining the FBI in 1998, Jill held a variety of leadership positions including serving as the Deputy Director of Law Enforcement at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), leading the Los Angeles Joint
Terrorism Task Force during the 2015 attack in San Bernardino, and serving as the Agent in Charge for
the FBI in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, where she also served on the Director’s advisory board.

As a career-long advocate of the importance of cultivating partnerships across the communities we
serve, Jill routinely collaborated with law enforcement and intelligence partners, academia, and private
sector partners to create a network of community engagement. In recognition of her collaborative
approach and exceptional service she received the 2022 Meritorious Presidential Rank award, the CIA’s
George H.W. Bush award, and a Department of Defense Joint Civilian Service Commendation award.

Jill earned a bachelor’s business administration in finance from the University of Portland. Prior to joining the FBI, she investigated fraud, waste, and abuse allegations at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.