Kelli Parsons

As Global Chair of Corporate Affairs, Kelli Parsons leads the firm’s expertise across corporate brand and reputation, financial communications, crisis and issues management, employee engagement and change management, and ESG strategies. She provides strategic communication counsel and services to strengthen reputation and brand equity through periods of large-scale change such as 9/11, the Great Recession and the resulting decade of business transformation. Kelli particularly enjoys partnering with CCOs and advising executive teams and boards of directors to build stakeholder trust and create business and societal value in defining moments.

Most recently as Chief Communications Officer at United Technologies, Kelli created the multi-stakeholder communication strategy for the company’s transformation, including its integration of Rockwell Collins, spins of Carrier and Otis and $74 billion merger with Raytheon, while managing complex geopolitical issues.

As CCO of Fannie Mae following the financial crisis, Kelli rebuilt trust and reputation during the historic turnaround of the $3 trillion housing finance company. She authored the strategy and message to foster purpose among employees and communicate the company’s progress to policy makers and regulators, investors, and consumers, for which her team was awarded PRWeek Team of the Year.

Earlier in her career, Kelli led H+K’s US corporate practice, the firm’s largest global client relationship, and its New York and Washington offices through financial and cultural transformation.

Beginning her career as a television news reporter, Kelli’s assignments included U.S. presidential campaigns, the humanitarian crisis in Bosnia and Hurricane Andrew.

Kelli earned a master’s degree from Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism. She serves on the executive committee of the Page Society board of trustees.