The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) has announced that Jessica Zeller will be the next director of CTP’s Office of Compliance and Enforcement. Zeller is joining CTP from Edwards Lifesciences, where she has served as vice president, corporate counsel and general counsel for quality.
Zeller has over 20 years of experience leading large, nationwide compliance and enforcement, and legal and regulatory affairs programs. In her most recent role at Edwards Lifesciences, she advised on compliance strategy, governance and risk across global manufacturing sites in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Prior to her industry experience, Zeller served in senior leadership within CTP’s Office of Compliance and Enforcement, including as its inaugural deputy director, where she provided direction for nationwide compliance and enforcement planning and execution.
“Throughout her career, Ms. Zeller has turned complex challenges into mission-driven results,” the agency noted in a statement.
Zeller has served in other roles at the FDA including as the FDA Office of Regulatory Affairs inaugural ombudsman and as associate chief counsel and trial attorney in FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel, where she advised leadership on compliance and enforcement authorities.
Zeller received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Xavier University, her juris doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law and her master’s degree in Bioethics from the University of Virginia.
She was selected, the agency’s statement continued, after an extensive search, multiple interview panels and clearance through FDA ethics and security processes, as well as the Office of Personnel Management senior executive service process.
