In today’s high-stakes environment, trust isn’t just a communications goal—it’s a brand imperative that spans marketing, operations, and customer experience. Join Keith Stephens, Senior Vice President and Chief Communications & Marketing Officer at CenterPoint Energy, for a compelling look at how utility companies are rewriting the playbook on customer trust, brand reputation, and stakeholder engagement.
Drawing on decades of leadership across global energy companies—including PG&E, National Grid, and Fluor—Keith will share how coordinated efforts across communications, branding, and operations are essential to not only maintaining credibility, but also rebuilding it when it’s lost. He’ll highlight the power of empathy, transparency, and deep audience understanding in helping organizations recover from reputational setbacks and emerge stronger.
Whether you’re in a consumer-facing brand or navigating the complexities of regulated industries, you’ll leave this session with practical strategies to strengthen trust, unify messaging across departments, and lead with purpose in moments that matter.
Speaker
Keith Stephens
Senior Vice President and Chief Comms & Mktg Officer
 Keith Stephens serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Communications & Marketing Officer at CenterPoint Energy. He joined the company in September 2024. In this role, he is responsible for driving and sustaining improvements in how the company communicates and engages with customers, stakeholders, media and the public across the company’s multiple states. He oversees all external and internal communications including marketing and advertising.Prior to joining CenterPoint, Keith was Senior Vice President and Group Corporate Affairs Director for National Grid plc where he was based at the company’s headquarters in London, UK. Previously, he served in several leadership roles at Pacific Gas and Electric Company in San Francisco where he was Chief Corporate Relations Officer. Keith also spent eight years at global engineering firm Fluor Corporation where he ran media and external affairs.
Earlier in his career, He also spent more than a decade at large, global public affairs agencies like Burson-Marsteller and Edelman Worldwide. Keith is a senior leader with deep utility industry experience who has been delivering best-in-class communications throughout his career. He is the immediate past chair of the Edison Electric Institute’s Executive Advisory Committee for Communications and a member of the American Gas Association’s Communications & Marketing Committee. He is also a former member of the Page Society. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Brigham Young University and a Master of International Journalism degree from Baylor University. |
WHEN:
June 11, 2025
11:30 am- 12:00 pm Networking
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Luncheon
WHERE:
The Ballroom at Tanglewood
5430 Westheimer Way, Houston, TX 77056
PARKING:
Free Parking and Valet Parking Available-
ADA Accessible Parking is in the covered garage, take the elevator up to the ballroom
PRICING:
Early Bird Pricing Ends June 3
AMA Member: $40 / $45 after Early Bird
Non-Member: $57 / $64 after Early Bird
Student: $25 / $30 after Early Bird