diff --git a/.changeset/gold-geese-perform.md b/.changeset/gold-geese-perform.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0712fd3b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/gold-geese-perform.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@axis-backstage/plugin-jira-dashboard': patch
+---
+
+Refactor: Update default project lead name from 'key' to 'displayName' for clarity and consistency.
diff --git a/plugins/jira-dashboard/src/components/JiraProjectCard/JiraProjectCard.tsx b/plugins/jira-dashboard/src/components/JiraProjectCard/JiraProjectCard.tsx
index 41a0f536..65ab06ff 100644
--- a/plugins/jira-dashboard/src/components/JiraProjectCard/JiraProjectCard.tsx
+++ b/plugins/jira-dashboard/src/components/JiraProjectCard/JiraProjectCard.tsx
@@ -40,9 +40,13 @@ export const JiraProjectCard = ({ project }: JiraProjectCardProps) => {
         {project.description && (
           <ProjectInfoLabel label="Description" value={project.description} />
         )}
-        {project.lead?.key && (
-          <ProjectInfoLabel label="Project lead" value={project.lead.key} />
-        )}
+        {project.lead?.key ||
+          (project?.lead?.displayName && (
+            <ProjectInfoLabel
+              label="Project lead"
+              value={project?.lead?.displayName || project?.lead?.key}
+            />
+          ))}
       </Stack>
       <LinkButton
         color="primary"