Melissa McHenry

Melissa is a strategic, results-focused communications executive with more than two decades of demonstrated success in crisis response, media relations, public policy advocacy, brand and reputation management, and internal communications for the electric power industry.

She advises executive leadership teams and delivers metrics-driven campaigns to drive internal and external support for corporate strategy and to navigate high-stakes crisis situations, corporate reputation risks, and public policy opportunities. She has a proven track record in media relations, issues management, thought leadership, social media strategy, and employee engagement.

Over the course of her career, Melissa has successfully executed comprehensive communications programs across a range of complex and sensitive issues, including environmental litigation, an SEC investigation, industrial and environmental accidents, mergers and acquisitions, CEO transitions, major infrastructure investments, and system disruptions.

Prior to joining DrivePath Advisors, Melissa led the communications and marketing team at American Electric Power. During her time at AEP, she executed the communications strategy for two CEO transitions, the acquisition and divestiture of more than $12 billion in assets, the closure of 19 coal-fueled power plants, and multiple high-profile environmental, regulatory, and operating incidents. She also built a highly successful integrated social media response center for customer care and digital engagement. She was a member of the Edison Electric Institute’s Communications Executive Advisory Council and presented at industry conferences on crisis communications, media engagement, and social media strategy.

Melissa graduated from Marshall University as a Yeager Scholar. She currently serves as the chair of the Development Committee of The Women’s Fund of Columbus, Ohio, and is a member of the WOSU Advisory Board. She is also the past chair and a governing board member of Children’s Hunger Alliance.

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