Melissa Mchenry Email & Phone Number

Strategic, results-focused communications executive with more than two decades of business counsel and crisis response for the power industry. DrivePath Advisors is a financial communications, corporate positioning and crisis management firm. Our senior team of experienced professionals have led financial and corporate communications teams under intense, high-profile public scrutiny. Having stood in the shoes of our clients, DrivePath’s team is keenly aware that a successful communications strategy must drive meaningful results aligned with business objectives.

Columbus, Oh, Us

Led 50-person corporate team for a $40B market cap electric company. Accountable for matrixed teams operating in 11 states. Monitored corporate reputation and emerging internal and external issues to provide strategic counsel to the executive and operational leadership teams, including the CEO. Developed and executed successful communications strategies for an executive leadership transition, asset sales, COVID response, an SEC investigation, DEI and a major human resources system upgrade. Enhanced crisis response with executive training and development of issue-specific response plans, including a shareholder activist playbook. Used analytics to increase adoption, engagement, ease of use and brand satisfaction for digital channels and to establish the corporate intranet as the second most valued information source for employees. Enhanced thought leadership and executive communications support including dedicated speechwriting and executive account management on social channels. Initiated a brand messaging refresh, including an agency RFP and the creation of digital, video, radio and brand extension assets, to enhance affinity with customers and key stakeholders. Developed and implemented a strategic process for determining when and how the company should engage on social issues. Worked closely with business unit leaders to build internal and external support for strategic objectives and achieve regulatory and public policy success.

Columbus, Oh, Us

Led external communications team with oversight for media relations, crisis communications, public policy communications, financial communications, corporate speechwriting, social media engagement and website development and design. Provided strategic communications counsel to executive leadership team, including the CEO. Built a centralized social media center combining reputational management and customer care response for social channels across the organization. Directed successful media engagement and responses to major environmental litigation, a viral social media crisis, data breaches, the purchase and sale of assets, corporate restructuring and downsizings, explosions, fires, accidents and fatalities. Established positive relationships with key reporters at national, business and trade media outlets. Pitched and placed exclusives in The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, The New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Forbes, Fortune, Financial Times and on NPR and Marketplace Radio.

Columbus, Oh, Us

Columbus, Oh, Us

Managed internal and external communications strategy for the Kentucky utility subsidiary of American Electric Power. Developed and implemented successful employee communications programs, public policy advocacy campaigns, crisis response, philanthropy and advertising programs. Provided issues identification and communications counsel for the Kentucky Power executive management team. Developed positive relationships with state, region and trade journalists. Supported public policy advocacy.

Developed and implemented strategic communications plans and measurement tools to help the region reach its business objectives, including handling communications of a significant downsizing of operations and developing the plan for re-establishing positive community relationships. Provided communications counsel to region management. Managed media relations, including crisis response, and served as primary media spokesperson. Oversaw region communications budget, philanthropy and advertising programs.

Charleston, West Virginia, Us

Directed communications for West Virginia Attorney General’s office including serving as primary media spokesperson and speechwriter. Provided communications council to the Attorney General and key staff. Developed and implemented proactive communications programs.

Developed marketing and public relations strategies for the medical center’s 160-member medical staff including developing and implementing marketing programs for physician practices. Spearheaded two award-winning, multimedia advertising campaigns. Key member of team that developed the medical center’s strategic and marketing plans and annual report. Coordinated physician office staff education programs, patient education programs and medical center special events.