Her Story
About Megan
Megan Henderson serves as communications manager for the electric grid at a United States Department of Energy research laboratory. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, she brings more than two decades of experience in communications, having entered the field immediately after graduating from North Carolina State University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations. She earned an Associates of Art degree from Peace College between 1991 and 1993. Her professional journey includes early roles as a marketing associate, serving as the youngest Chamber of Commerce CEO in the state, and owning Looking Glass Communications, a public relations firm in Raleigh that grew steadily and ranked among the top five agencies in the area from 2006 to 2014. At Duke Energy she advanced through positions as stakeholder engagement manager for solar initiatives starting in 2015, corporate spokesperson, and lead for battery energy storage communications before moving to her current national laboratory role. Henderson specializes in public relations, stakeholder engagement, energy communications, and corporate events. She attributes her success to a servant's heart, authenticity, curiosity, and a commitment to lifting others up, values instilled by her father. Outside her professional work she has dedicated seven years as a board director for the SPCA of Wake County and actively supports animal rescue organizations including the Lenoir County Animal Shelter, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Control, Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue, and Southeast German Shepherd Rescue.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Megan
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having a servant's heart, authenticity, curiosity, and genuine care to make things better. It is truly a team sport where we lift each other up. My father taught me that you can have anything you want as long as you lift enough other people up to get what they want. I surround myself with people that lift me up and create opportunities to lift others.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was from my father: you can have anything you want as long as you lift enough other people up to get what they want. When you do good, you get good.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If there's an opportunity, take it. Imagine possibilities, see results. Be your authentic self. Try all the new things. As women, sometimes we are so humble and we don't really put our voices out there, so I encourage young women to imagine and do it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The communications field is hot with lots of opportunity but also a lot of competition, with 1,500 applications for one job. We are inundated with messages, so strategic communicators must figure out how to get their message heard. AI has impacted jobs but the human element is critical and will not be replaced.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Service with a servant's heart, authenticity, lifting others up, and helping animals and underserved people. I use my communications skills and influence for the good of the nation in my job and to help animals and people in need. I believe in working together and trying to lift each other up along the way.
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