Ms. Zilz brings over 25 years of accomplished legal experience to the role, with a particular focus advising nonprofits of all sizes on transactional, governance, and strategic matters. Ms. Zilz currently serves as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of FJC – A Foundation of Philanthropic Funds, a public charity with over $400 million in assets that offers a diverse menu of philanthropic services including donor advised funds and fiscal sponsorships. Prior to joining FJC, Ms. Zilz was a Partner at the firm Schlam Stone & Dolan where she was outside general counsel to companies and nonprofit organizations advising on business structuring, employment and intellectual property matters, and regulatory compliance. She also has experience overseeing and conducting internal investigations. While in private practice, her nonprofit clients included organizations in the fields of social services, education, arts, and housing. Earlier in her career, she served as General Counsel for private companies and was a commercial litigator at the firms Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and Cravath, Swaine & Moore. 

Ms. Zilz has a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. and M.A. from McGill University, all earned with honors. She is a member of the Non-Profit Organizations Committee of the New York City Bar and co-chair of its Not-for-Profit/For Profit subcommittee. Ms. Zilz has served on the Economic Justice Committee of the National Council of Jewish Women New York and on the board of New Light Theater Project, a New York based theater company. Ms. Zilz is legal counsel to the Board of Trustees of her synagogue.