Jessica Kelley

As Director of Integrated Project Delivery for Merck, Jessica Kelley uses her experience to grow and refine the organization’s IPD strategy to create structures and mindsets that support lean thinking and overall project health for global capital projects.

Ms. Kelley spent half of her career with a leading national Mechanical Design Build Trade partner designing and managing lifecycle solutions in a variety of industries, primarily focused on Lean Project Delivery and IFOA contracted work upwards of $200MM. Ms. Kelley transitioned to more strategic efforts focused on ERP selection and implementation, running a national Learning and Development Department, and developing an Operation Excellence role all during significant organizational growth, increasing her access to developing lean capabilities internally of the organization.

Ms. Kelley has been an active leader within the Lean Construction Institute (LCI), both nationally and locally since its inception. She served on the NorCal Community of Practice from 2007-2013 (Core Group Leader 2008-2012), served as the 15th Annual LCI Congress Chair, was the LCI Education Advisory Board Chair from 2016-2018 and served on the National Practice Committee from 2018-2020. Ms. Kelley contributed to the LCI Transforming Design and Construction and Target Value Delivery books, is a LeanIPD Board Member, and has been engaged by multiple owners for providing thought leadership on lean thinking in general and how trade/specialty contractor partners can contribute to the goals of a project.

Ms. Kelley received her bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering with a focus in mechanical from The Pennsylvania State University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of California.