Big Business, Big Projects: Grad lands jobs at Wendy’s, Nike, Abercrombie & More

When it comes time in a young person's life to choose a college, any number of deciding factors might influence their decision. For 2005 graduate Lindsay Kelleher, there were two: first, the college needed to have her intended program of study, which was business. Second, it needed to be far enough away from her hometown in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, that her parents were close by but not too close by. Millersville University ticked off both of those boxes nicely for Kelleher, so in 2001, she headed to Millersville to start her college journey.

Those next four years turned out to be what Kelleher would describe as "some of the best times of my life." She lived in the former Lenhardt Hall, high up on the sixth floor with some of her soon-to-be closest friends, playing intramural soccer, studying for classes and letting loose on the weekends.

"I met my best friend, Thera (Paetzold) DeSantis, on the very first day that we moved into the dorms. We were both in the bathroom at the same time; she was brushing her teeth. I said, 'You must be doing something fun tonight if you're brushing your teeth at 4 p.m.' She laughed and invited me to attend the Millersville men's soccer game with her and her friends." The two became fast friends and remain so to this day. "I had the best time at Millersville," she shares. "I graduated on time, in four years, without changing my major - but the best part is that I always have my best friends from MU."

The daughter of two IT project managers, Kelleher wonders if going into the field of project management was inevitable in some ways. Fresh out of college, she accepted a job as a business analyst for a commercial real estate and mortgage banking company and worked her way into project management.

Today, she has her Project Management Professional® certification, the gold-star standard in the field, and an impressive résumé with a career that features several moves to major cities like Boston and Chicago, and a switch to becoming a consultant. She moved back to Philadelphia in 2025 and this June, she began work as the new program director for the fast-food company Wendy's, where she's leading the initiative to install a new point of sale system across their franchises.

In layman's terms, Kelleher describes project management as, "Leading an effort from start to finish. My job is to connect the dots, keep teams aligned, and help everyone work toward a common goal. The skills are more transferable than people realize. If you're planning an event, running a household, or even coordinating a party, you're already using many of the same skills a project manager uses every day."

Outside of her professional work, Kelleher is also a content creator. On Instagram and TikTok, her @lindsayinphilly accounts focus on her love of all things Philadelphia - including recently becoming an Eagles season ticket holder. She also gives advice about the corporate world for young professionals. This was how she unintentionally launched her social media side gig.

"I'm active on LinkedIn and I kept seeing project management advice online that simply wasn't accurate. What surprised me was how many students and early-career professionals were taking it at face value. So, I recorded a TikTok video offering a different perspective based on my own experience." That video took off and led to many opportunities for her in the industry, like speaking at conferences, doing brand deals and becoming a leader in the project management online community.

The role of project manager can be a challenging one, according to Kelleher. "In roles like mine, you're often balancing competing priorities, tight deadlines and executive visibility. Sometimes project managers get a reputation for asking tough questions or scheduling too many meetings, but the goal is always to help teams succeed. A big part of the job is building trust, solving problems and helping people work through challenges together."

Kelleher was scouted for her new role at Wendy's via LinkedIn. "It was one of those opportunities that felt like a perfect fit. The role aligns with the work I enjoy most, the skills I've built throughout my career and the experience I've gained implementing point-of-sale systems. I thought working with brands like Nike, Converse, Abercrombie & Fitch and Crate & Barrel was exciting, and now I get to help lead a major transformation at Wendy's next."

Since Kelleher is in the business of dishing out advice, here's what she says to Millersville students: "First, it's all about communication. Second, it's all about relationships. In my 20 years of doing this, every problem boils down to one of these. Relationships and networking - sometimes, you only get a job if you know someone. Don't burn any bridges. Those skills will serve you well in any industry."

To learn more about the Lombardo College of Business programs offered at Millersville University, click here.