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Kristen McKenzie

Kristen McKenzie

Policy Advisor

Meridian
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
T 803.255.5146
kristen.mckenzie@nelsonmullins.com
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Kristen is a seasoned public affairs leader with more than 15 years of experience shaping legislative strategy, community investment initiatives, and high-impact communications across the energy, healthcare and higher education sectors. She is recognized for her ability to build bipartisan support, forge strong coalitions, and elevate issues through strategic earned media. 

Kristen’s experience spans work across investor-owned utilities; utility-scale renewable...

Kristen is a seasoned public affairs leader with more than 15 years of experience shaping legislative strategy, community investment initiatives, and high-impact communications across the energy, healthcare and higher education sectors. She is recognized for her ability to build bipartisan support, forge strong coalitions, and elevate issues through strategic earned media. 

Kristen’s experience spans work across investor-owned utilities; utility-scale renewable energy and natural gas transmission projects; healthcare systems; a major university; along with substantive engagement in political campaign strategy and operations.  She has advanced multimillion-dollar initiatives and advised C-suite leaders on legislative risk, crisis management, infrastructure growth projects, strategic communications, and complex M&A public affairs. 

Kristen McKenzie

energy and natural gas transmission projects; healthcare systems; a major university; along with substantive engagement in political campaign strategy and operations.  She has advanced multimillion-dollar initiatives and advised C-suite leaders on legislative risk, crisis management, infrastructure growth projects, strategic communications, and complex M&A public affairs. 

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience 

  • Pine Gate Renewables, Senior Director, Public Affairs and Philanthropy (March 2025-Jan. 2026); Senior Director, Government and External Affairs (March 2024–March 2025); Director, Government and External Affairs (June 2022–March 2024) 

  • BHE GT&S, Director of External Affairs, Southeast (2020–2022)  

  • Dominion Energy, External Affairs Manager (Feb. 2019–Nov. 2020); External Affairs Representative (April 2015-Feb. 2019) 

  • Republican Party of South Carolina, Director of Finance and Spokesperson (2014-2015); Regional Field Director (2013-2014)  

  • Pruitt-Health Corporation, Senior Community Relations Representative (2011-2013) 

  • University of Georgia, Government Relations Associate (2009-2011) 

 

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience 

  • Pine Gate Renewables, Senior Director, Public Affairs and Philanthropy (March 2025-Jan. 2026); Senior Director, Government and External Affairs (March 2024–March 2025); Director, Government and External Affairs (June 2022–March 2024) 

  • BHE GT&S, Director of External Affairs, Southeast (2020–2022)  

  • Dominion Energy, External Affairs Manager (Feb. 2019–Nov. 2020); External Affairs Representative (April 2015-Feb. 2019) 

  • Republican Party of South Carolina, Director of Finance and Spokesperson (2014-2015); Regional Field Director (2013-2014)  

  • Pruitt-Health Corporation, Senior Community Relations Representative (2011-2013) 

  • University of Georgia, Government Relations Associate (2009-2011) 

 

Media

Visit Insights

Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Pine Gate Renewables’ Creativity Award Winner 
  • Phenom, Inaugural List of Icons and Phenoms, Columbia Regional Business Report 
  • Woman of Influence, Columbia Regional Business Report  
  • Best and Brightest, 35 and Under, Columbia Business Monthly  

Professional Activities

  • Board Member, Advanced Power Alliance 
  • Board Member, Texas Solar and Storage Association 

Community

  • Advisory Board Member, Leadership South Carolina (2017–Present) 
  • Board Member, College of Charleston Alumni Board of Directors (2016–2020) 
  • Advisory Board Member, American Red Cross – South Carolina (2014–2017) 

Leadership

  • Inaugural Chair of the Board and Founder, Carolinas Natural Gas Coalition 

Kristen is a seasoned public affairs leader with more than 15 years of experience shaping legislative strategy, community investment initiatives, and high-impact communications across the energy, healthcare and higher education sectors. She is recognized for her ability to build bipartisan support, forge strong coalitions, and elevate issues through strategic earned media. 

Kristen’s experience spans work across investor-owned utilities; utility-scale renewable... energy and natural gas transmission projects; healthcare systems; a major university; along with substantive engagement in political campaign strategy and operations.  She has advanced multimillion-dollar initiatives and advised C-suite leaders on legislative risk, crisis management, infrastructure growth projects, strategic communications, and complex M&A public affairs. 

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience 

  • Pine Gate Renewables, Senior Director, Public Affairs and Philanthropy (March 2025-Jan. 2026); Senior Director, Government and External Affairs (March 2024–March 2025); Director, Government and External Affairs (June 2022–March 2024) 

  • BHE GT&S, Director of External Affairs, Southeast (2020–2022)  

  • Dominion Energy, External Affairs Manager (Feb. 2019–Nov. 2020); External Affairs Representative (April 2015-Feb. 2019) 

  • Republican Party of South Carolina, Director of Finance and Spokesperson (2014-2015); Regional Field Director (2013-2014)  

  • Pruitt-Health Corporation, Senior Community Relations Representative (2011-2013) 

  • University of Georgia, Government Relations Associate (2009-2011) 

 

Education

  • University of Georgia, Terry College of Business, MBA
  • College of Charleston, BS, Business Administration

Areas of Focus

Industries

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Pine Gate Renewables’ Creativity Award Winner 
  • Phenom, Inaugural List of Icons and Phenoms, Columbia Regional Business Report 
  • Woman of Influence, Columbia Regional Business Report  
  • Best and Brightest, 35 and Under, Columbia Business Monthly  
  • Board Member, Advanced Power Alliance 
  • Board Member, Texas Solar and Storage Association 
  • Advisory Board Member, Leadership South Carolina (2017–Present) 
  • Board Member, College of Charleston Alumni Board of Directors (2016–2020) 
  • Advisory Board Member, American Red Cross – South Carolina (2014–2017) 
  • Inaugural Chair of the Board and Founder, Carolinas Natural Gas Coalition