Michelle McKenna

SENIOR ADVISOR

Michelle McKenna is a seasoned communications strategist, bringing 20 years of expertise in crisis response, media relations, reputation management and risk mitigation — particularly in the cyber and data security arenas. Her work has included managing a variety of communications and issues management projects for companies such as Procter and Gamble, Volkswagen Group of America, Merck, Target, UPS and Ford, as well as notable names in energy, healthcare, manufacturing and other industries. She has provided counsel during high-visibility data breaches, product recalls, financial restatements, public health issues and other crisis situations. Michelle has spoken on cyber issues at SXSW and other forums, and was named to PR Week’s “40 Under 40” list in 2016.

Most recently, Michelle was a Vice President in the Corporate Advisory & Risk / Crisis team with Hill+Knowlton Strategies (formerly Public Strategies, Inc.). Prior to this, Michelle planned communications, public relations and grassroots activities for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, a major national healthcare and retail trade association in Washington, D.C. Her responsibilities included media relations, crisis communications, public policy communications, helping launch a Medicare Part D discount card, and contributing to branding and marketing campaigns and public affairs coalitions. Before that, Michelle was a media relations specialist for a Washington group representing specialty chemical manufacturers, currently known as SOCMA. Her other experience includes freelance journalism, as well as volunteer work on Capitol Hill and with state and national political campaigns.