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 compliance, safety and environment, and 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 nonprofit 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.

Rick DeLuca is executive vice president and president of Animal Health at Merck and serves as a member of the company’s executive team.

Rick has global responsibility for Merck’s Animal Health business, a role he has held since 2011. Under his leadership, the business has grown into an industry leader, offering veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the broadest portfolios of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health-management solutions. The organization also delivers an extensive suite of digitally connected identification, traceability and monitoring products that support animal health and welfare worldwide.

Rick is a recognized leader within the global animal health industry. He served as board chair of Health for Animals, the global animal health association, from 2017 to 2021, and as board chair of the Animal Health Institute, the U.S. animal medicines industry association, from 2016 through 2025.

Prior to joining Merck, Rick spent more than two decades at Wyeth in roles of increasing scope and responsibility. His positions included president of Animal Health, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Animal Health, president of symbiosis medical, vice president of finance for global pharmaceuticals, and director of audit. During his tenure at Wyeth, Rick also served on the company’s executive, operations, law and regulatory, and human resources and benefits committees.

Rick received his B.A. in business administration from Widener University. He is a certified public accountant and a certified management accountant.

Rob Davis is chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Merck & Co., Inc.

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 is chair of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) board of directors and vice president of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA). He 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 member of the Northwestern Law Board at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. He is also 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, and of Catalyst, a global nonprofit that promotes equal access to career opportunities and corporate leadership for women. 

Rob received his J.D. from the Northwestern University Pritzker 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.