Park Ridge, Illinois, United States
Dynamic, mission-driven executive with 35+ years of leadership success across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Recognized for driving measurable results in governance, advocacy, and business transformation within complex, fast-evolving environments. A visionary leader adept at inspiring teams, forging strategic alliances, and developing talent to ensure resilience and sustainable growth. Excels in high-stakes roles demanding innovation, strategic influence, and decisive action, aligning strategy, talent, and infrastructure to deliver transformative outcomes. Specialties include: Strategic Advocacy, Policy Influence, Stakeholder Engagement, Coalition Building, Organizational Transformation, Change Management, Global Leadership
As Chief Executive Officer, McNelly advances the organization’s mission to create safe work environments worldwide through the prevention of injuries, illnesses and fatalities. She works with the Board of Directors to execute ASSP’s strategic plan for growth while building on the Society’s legacy and addressing the evolving needs of the professional occupational safety and health community. She leads over 75 staff members and more than 38,000 safety and health professionals around the globe, strengthening the Society’s position as a leading voice while fostering a collaborative culture of member engagement, performance, accountability and innovation.
Building the manufacturing workforce one employer at a time. McNelly brings over 20 years of experience in building public-private partnerships to close the manufacturing skills gap. Skilled in leading and executing comprehensive initiatives to transform organizational and individual performance. A global spokesperson on education reform and workforce development on behalf of U.S. manufacturers.
For over a decade, Jennifer led national efforts to change the perception of manufacturing careers and reestablish the U.S. as the global leader of technical education. Jennifer led efforts to elevate the national dialogue on manufacturing with research; change national and state investments in manufacturing education to improve quality by aligning to industry standards; engage millions of students via National Manufacturing Day and the Dream It. Do It. Network; and, inspire an army of women leaders in industry to advocate for manufacturing careers, founding the national STEP Ahead initiative. A national champion leading a campaign to Close the Manufacturing Skills Gap through improving the perception of manufacturing careers; building a quality workforce pipeline; and, aligning public policy.
Appointed to the Senior Executive Service by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Managed diverse staff of over 300 Federal employees and contract staff in six Regional offices across the country. Led efforts to improve performance and management of a $15 billion annual Federal investment in workforce training. Served on the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy's Manufacturing Research and Development Working Group and the Working Group on Education.
Managed diverse staff of over twenty Federal employees and contract staff. Worked collaboratively with industry, education, and economic development to model industry-driven training for over 140,000 workers. Managed two Presidential-level programs representing over $500 million in 200 Federal investments in public-private partnerships.
Served as the Chief Administrative Officer responsible for financial management, staffing, and day-to-day operations. Guided and directed development of annual work plans for clients including Citigroup, Home Depot, IBM, MetLife, Bank of America, Allstate, Honeywell, AlliedSignal, and Shell. Secured over $25 million in incentives and cost offsets for clients annually from the public workforce system, economic development agencies, and educational institutions.