Megan Henderson Email & Phone Number

Richland, Wa, Us

Spearhead strategic communications for the Electricity Infrastructure and Grid Sector at PNNL and serve as communications manager for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium, a partnership among DOE and 14 national laboratories. Develop and execute internal and external communications plans to enhance stakeholder engagement and advance the Lab’s reputation and mission in the energy sector. Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders (DOE, state government, academia, researchers, scientists, etc.). Collaborate with subject matter experts to distill complex technical information into digestible content for various audiences. Execute thought leadership through public relations, media relations, and social media. Influence policy, strategy, and drive business outcomes in the energy domain. Manage event planning and execution to showcase the Lab’s innovative and impactful work to make the electric grid more resilient, reliable, and secure. Offer specialized expertise to address complex problems and deliver innovative solutions. Launching DOE Office of Electricity’s first battery energy storage R&D facility in 2024.

Charlotte, North Carolina, Us

Serve as the internal communications manager and subject matter expert for the Distributed Energy Group (DEG) in the Customer Delivery organization. Lead the organization’s business transformation to create a greener energy grid and achieve decarbonization goals. Develop and manage internal stakeholder relationships with a focus on senior-level executives. Craft strategic messaging for and positioning of advanced distribution planning technologies and all distribution-tied battery energy storage and microgrid sites within the enterprise’s regulated footprint. Ensure consistent messaging among internal and external channels. Conceptualize and produce educational resources including time-lapse videos of Duke Energy’s regulated energy storage sites. Responsible for the creation and implementation of the DEG Employee Engagement, Recognition, and Inclusion Plan. Offer specialized expertise on a broad perspective to solve complex problems with innovative solutions.

Charlotte, North Carolina, Us

Responsible for issues management and crisis communications focused on energy, environmental, and emergent issues. Served as a spokesperson on contentious issues that could impact the corporation’s reputation. Served as a member of the company’s Transaction and Risk Committee scrub team, reviewing projects $50M+ and provided guidance to strengthen the project’s request for internal funding. Managed high-profile process improvement work to help the company build a culture that identifies and addresses potential internal and external impacts of its decisions and actions. Worked with senior leaders, provided strategic communications counsel, developed messages, deployed tactics to support emerging operations and customer issues, managed media relations (including news writing and pitching), and participated in corporate communications’ “on-call” rotation, holding an emergency response role.

Charlotte, North Carolina, Us

Responsible for industry and stakeholder engagement, education, and outreach activities to advance the policy and business development objectives of solar and other distributed energy resources in the Duke Energy footprint. Effectively positioned Duke Energy’s leadership in the renewable energy space. Identified and managed partnerships, conferences, sponsorships, and speaking opportunities with optimal engagement value. Developed collateral materials. Proactively co-developed videos that serve as educational tools for various stakeholder groups. Supported message development and collaborated with stakeholders to spotlight the work being performed in the regulated jurisdictions. Planned and orchestrated milestone events, educational and media tours. Managed external engagement activities.

Raleigh, Nc, Us

Retained for a short-term contract to provide strategic guidance, public relations, and event planning services to the NC Wine and Grape Council. Developed a short-term communications plan for the organization. Conducted media relations training. Served as keynote speaker at the 2015 NC Wine Summit. Directed media relations outreach and event planning for the Council’s joint legislative (House and Senate) wine and vineyard industry caucus wine tasting at the Lt. Governor’s office.

Raleigh, North Carolina, Us

Contracted for unique opportunity to establish foundation and direction for agency's public relations department and facilitate transition of the company from a brand/design agency to full-service marketing firm. Guided public relations department to act proactively and strategically in client relations and business development. Developed social media campaigns to create stronger virtual footprints and name recognition/brand awareness for clients. Performed content recommendations for social media assets including: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Assisted in creation of hashtag for social media campaign for Lenovo’s TINY M53: #Tinyismorethansmall. Managed strategic public relations campaigns and provided counsel and service for clients including: Yadkin Bank, Lonerider Brewing Company, Parker Poe, and Lenovo.

Founded and ran a successful small business enterprise focusing on public relations, brand development, event design and management, and marketing communications initiatives.Managed and grew client relationships for companies that include Waste Industries USA Inc., Novozymes North America, Gregory Poole Equipment Company, Dubose Nuclear Energy Services, Hand & Stone, Parker Hannifin Corporation, Southern Pharmacy Services, and a wide variety of other businesses in broad range of categories, including staffing services, real estate and property management, hospitality, entertainment, interior design and consumer products.Excelled in essential functions of successful marketing, public relations and advertising, including:-- Introducing new products to market-- Revitalizing decaying brands-- Directing and developing high-profile media relations initiatives -- Managing crisis communications and training-- Designing and implementing comprehensive marketing communications initiatives Possessed a core competency in managing projects of all sizes from start to finish, with an acute understanding of key processes in cornerstone marketing communications efforts (e.g., strategic communication planning, brand development, media relations planning and implementation, web development, etc.).Maintained key client relationships as clients attempted to adapt to their own periods of transition and organizational change.Served as the firm’s sole business development catalyst, cultivating new business with prospects and seeding new initiatives with ongoing clients.Grew the firm's client base and agency billings year-to-year throughout the “Great Recession.”Fortified a reputation earned among clients and referral partners as a trusted, relentless, “go-to, get-it-done” resource for strategic communications programs of all sizes and deadlines.

Bachelor'S Degree, Concentration In Public Relations

Associate Of Arts Degree

Social Media For Business

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Uplift For Aspiring People Leaders Certificate, People Leader Training