Kelli Parsons is Global Chair, Corporate Affairs and Advisory at Hill + Knowlton. She advises executive teams and boards of directors to strengthen reputation, manage risk and grow business and societal value. She leads Hill + Knowlton’s global corporate advisory practice, integrating reputation strategy and management, ESG, crisis and issues management, public affairs, and transformation communication. She has a deep interest in partnering with clients to build stakeholder trust and create shared value.
As Chief Communications Officer (CCO) at United Technologies, Kelli created the multi-stakeholder communication strategy for the company’s transformation, including its acquisition and integration of Rockwell Collins, spins of Carrier and Otis and $74 billion merger with Raytheon. She led a strategic initiative to define the company’s purpose and implement a global platform to elevate its reputation for innovation and social impact.
At Fannie Mae, Kelli rebuilt trust and reputation during the historic turnaround of the $3 trillion housing finance company. As CCO, she authored the Progress platform, communicating the transformation to policy makers, regulators, investors, financial institutions and consumers. Working with Fannie Mae’s board, Kelli crafted a communication strategy for its CEO transition, building belief in the company’s leadership, purpose and priorities and achieving strongly positive media coverage, employee affinity and stakeholder confidence. She navigated a hostile political climate and managed complex governance, policy and regulatory matters. For these achievements, PRWeek recognized Kelli as a most powerful leader and Fannie Mae as team of the year.
As CCMO at New York Life, Kelli created its first integrated, purpose-centered marketing strategy, making the 170-year-old global insurance and investment management firm relevant to millennial clients and attaining record levels of brand awareness and client engagement. She also created a transformation communication strategy, achieving 90 percent positive employee opinion.
Earlier, Kelli led H+K’s U.S. corporate practice, the firm’s largest global client relationship, and its New York and Washington markets through financial and cultural transformation.
She began her career as an Emmy and Murrow award-winning television journalist.