Jennifer Zachary is the Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Merck & Co., Inc., a position she has held since 2021. In this senior leadership role, she oversees the company's global legal organization, managing a broad portfolio that includes corporate governance, regulatory compliance, intellectual property protection, mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, litigation, and government investigations. As a key member of Merck's Executive Team, Zachary reports directly to CEO Robert M. Davis and plays a pivotal role in guiding the company's strategy to deliver innovative medicines and vaccines while navigating complex global regulatory landscapes. Zachary joined Merck in 2013 as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, bringing extensive experience from prior roles at Johnson & Johnson, where she served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel, and at Pfizer in various senior legal capacities. Her career spans over two decades in the pharmaceutical industry, with expertise in high-stakes M&A deals, FDA interactions, antitrust matters, and international compliance. She holds a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and a B.A. from Georgetown University. Under her leadership, Merck has achieved significant milestones, including the $11.5 billion acquisition of Acceleron Pharma in 2021 and robust legal support for the company's blockbuster COVID-19 vaccine development and distribution. Zachary has been honored as one of the "Top 50 General Counsels" by Corporate Counsel and serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Legal Affairs Committee, underscoring her influence in shaping industry standards for ethical and legal excellence.