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Jennifer Zachary

Executive vice president and general counsel

Jennifer Zachary joined Merck as executive vice president and general counsel in April 2018. She serves as a legal advisor to the board of directors and company executives, leads the company’s office of general counsel and sets the company’s global legal strategy. She is also responsible for the company’s global safety and environment, and global security functions.

Prior to joining Merck, Jennifer was a partner and associate at the international law firm Covington & Burling, LLP. She practiced in the area of pharmaceutical and medical device regulatory law and advised a wide range of manufacturers and trade associations on compliance with government requirements for the development, manufacture and sale of their products.

Earlier in her career, Jennifer served as an associate chief counsel for enforcement at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and as a special assistant U.S. Attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.

Jennifer serves on the board of directors for REGENXBIO Inc. and is a member of the audit committee. In addition, Jennifer is a board member of Code the Dream, a non-profit organization that teaches software development to youth from diverse, low income backgrounds.

She is a member of the bar associations for the District of Columbia, California and New Jersey. Jennifer holds a B.S. in biology and a B.A. in chemistry from Arizona State University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

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Steven C. Mizell

Executive vice president and chief human resources officer​

Steve Mizell is executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Merck. He has responsibility for all aspects of human resources including talent acquisition and development, employee wellness, and diversity and inclusion.​

Under Steve’s leadership, Merck has been recognized as a great place to work by Fortune, Fast Company, Working Mother, U.S. Veterans and People magazines. Steve joined Merck in 2018 from Monsanto, where he served as executive vice president, human resources, and was responsible for creating an industry-leading workplace for more than 20,000 employees around the world. Previously, he served as senior vice president and chief corporate resources officer for AdvancePCS, a pharmacy benefit management company, and has also held key human resources management roles at companies across the energy, defense, beverage and technology sectors. ​

Steve is currently a resident of New Jersey and Missouri. He serves on the boards of Allegion Plc. and Group 1 Automotive, and is a former board member of Oshkosh Corporation, where he chaired the human resources committee. Recognized as one of St. Louis’ most influential diverse business leaders, he is a longtime supporter of the National Kidney Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and Youth in Need.

Steve holds a B.S. from Georgia Institute of Technology and an M.S. in management from Carnegie Mellon University. He is also certified by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).​

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Richard R. DeLuca, Jr.

Executive vice president and president, Merck Animal Health

Rick DeLuca is executive vice president and president, Animal Health for Merck.​ Rick has worldwide responsibility for the Animal Health business, a position he has held since 2011. Under Rick’s leadership, Merck’s Animal Health business has become an industry leader that offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of digitally connected identification, traceability and monitoring products.

Prior to joining Merck, Rick spent more than two decades in positions of increasing scope and responsibility at Wyeth, including president of Animal Health, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Animal Health, vice president of finance global pharmaceuticals and director audit. He was also a member of Wyeth’s executive, operations, law and regulatory and human resources and benefits committees.​

Rick was board chairman of Health for Animals, the global animal health industry association, from 2017 to 2020. He is also board chairman of Animal Health Institute, the U.S. animal medicines industry association, a position he has held since 2016. ​Rick received his B.A. in business administration from Widener University. He is a certified public accountant and certified management accountant.

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Robert M. Davis

Chairman and chief executive officer

Rob Davis is chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Merck.

Previously, Rob served as Merck’s president, responsible for the company’s operating divisions — Human Health, Animal Health, Manufacturing and Merck Research Laboratories. Prior to that, he was executive vice president, Global Services, and the company’s chief financial officer.

Rob joined the company as chief financial officer in 2014 with additional responsibility for real estate operations, corporate strategy and business development. In 2016, his role was expanded to include responsibility for information technology and procurement, forming Global Services. He became president in April 2021, CEO and a member of the board of directors on July 1, 2021, and chairman of the board on December 1, 2022.

Prior to joining Merck, Rob was corporate vice president and president of Baxter’s medical products business. During his tenure at Baxter, he held several other positions, including president of Baxter’s renal business, chief financial officer and treasurer. Before joining Baxter in 2004, Rob held numerous positions of increasing responsibility over 14 years at Eli Lilly and Company.

Rob serves on the board of directors for Duke Energy Corporation, one of America’s largest energy holding companies, and is chair of its finance and risk management committee and a member of the corporate governance committee. In addition, Rob is a board member of Project Hope, a nonprofit organization focused on empowering health care workers to deliver expert care when and where it is needed most. He is also a board member of Catalyst, a global nonprofit that promotes equal access to career opportunities and corporate leadership for women.

Rob received his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law, his M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management and his bachelor’s degree in finance from Miami University.

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Sanat Chattopadhyay

Executive vice president and president, Merck Manufacturing Division

Sanat Chattopadhyay is executive vice president and president, Merck Manufacturing Division. He has responsibility for the company’s worldwide manufacturing and supply operations across a global network of sites for pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biologics and animal health products.

A proven leader in the biopharmaceutical industry, Sanat joined Merck in November 2009 as senior vice president of global vaccines and sterile manufacturing operations, spearheading the transformation of manufacturing and supply chain to grow and globalize its vaccine business. Under Sanat’s leadership, Merck is currently executing significant expansion of its biologics and vaccines manufacturing capacity to reach more patients around the globe.

Before joining Merck, he served as senior vice president, technical operations and product supply, for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, with responsibility for product supply, process development and operational excellence. Previously, he worked at Aventis and its predecessor companies as senior vice president, industrial operations, having served in many positions with increasing responsibilities for global supply chain, technology and manufacturing sites across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

A graduate chemical engineer from Jadavpur University and post-graduate industrial engineer from NITIE, India, Sanat is widely travelled, having lived with his family in five countries across three continents.