As the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Jessica Shirley leads the department in its mission to protect and preserve Pennsylvania’s environment while fostering sustainable and equitable practices.
Secretary Shirley has served in this role since October 2023, first in an acting capacity, then as the nominee for the role, and was confirmed by the Legislature in June of 2025.
Prior to becoming Secretary, Jessica served as the Executive Deputy Secretary, overseeing all programs and the day-to-day function of DEP.
Secretary Shirley has held several additional roles during her 15+ years at DEP. Immediately prior to serving as the Executive Deputy, she served as the Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator, overseeing how federal funds were used to benefit Pennsylvania’s environment, economy, residents, and communities.
She began her time at the department in the policy office, eventually becoming the Policy Director. During her time in the policy office, she helped develop groundbreaking and vital executive orders on key environmental topics such as PFAS, climate change, energy conservation, environmental justice and sustainability in Commonwealth operations, maintaining a focus on underserved communities. She also was involved in the development and publication of Pennsylvania’s first ever Litter Action Plan, which garnered national recognition.
Jessica's educational background includes a master’s degree in Public Administration from Pennsylvania State University and a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
