Helen Bow
Houston
Summary
Strategic communications leader with extensive experience in media relations, earned media strategy, and reputation management within regulated financial services and energy sectors. Skilled in crafting compelling narratives from complex topics for national and trade media, driving impactful campaigns that achieve significant coverage. Provide expert guidance on crisis communications and sensitive reputational matters, ensuring effective messaging and stakeholder engagement.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal Consultant
Mothership Creative, LLC
01.2024 - Current
- Provided senior-level external communications, PR, and brand advisory services for organizations in regulated industries, enhancing brand perception in wealth management and professional services.
- Advise leaders on high-stakes communications moments, including growth initiatives, organizational change, and reputational risk.
- Advised leaders on high-stakes communications during growth initiatives, organizational change, and reputational risk, enabling informed decision-making and strategic alignment.
- Integrate AI-enabled workflows into research, content development, and media strategy to improve efficiency, insight, and execution.
- Developed press releases, executive commentary, and strategic narratives, securing national and trade media coverage to amplify organizational messaging and visibility.
Executive Director, Senior Communications Advisor
Wells Fargo
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Led external communications and media relations strategy for Wealth & Investment Management, advising senior executives on reputation, visibility, and enterprise messaging.
- Acted as primary media contact for high-profile issues, handled press inquiries, rapid response, and on-the-record communications.
- Advised senior executives on reputation, visibility, and enterprise messaging while leading external communications and media relations strategy for Wealth & Investment Management.
Vice President, Senior Communications Advisor
Wells Fargo
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Co-founded Media Relations Center of Excellence, shaping and implementing enterprise-wide external communications strategy.
- Advised technology, digital innovation, wealth, and corporate banking teams on effective media engagement strategies, enhancing brand visibility.
- Partnered cross-functionally with legal, compliance, marketing, and internal communications to ensure aligned external messaging.
- Supported executive media engagement and crisis response, safeguarding business reputation during sensitive matters.
Vice President, Communications Advisor
Wells Fargo
01.2016 - 01.2021
- Led integrated external communications and earned media strategies for major business initiatives and enterprise programs.
- Supported corporate transformation initiatives by enhancing communications during acquisition integration and portfolio optimization.
- Developed executive messaging and briefing materials to strengthen leadership visibility and enhance stakeholder engagement.
- Designed and delivered media training programs that equipped senior leaders and spokespersons with effective communication strategies.
Assistant Vice President, Communications Consultant
Wells Fargo
01.2006 - 01.2016
- Led regional and enterprise external communications initiatives and executed press events across multiple Texas markets, enhancing brand visibility and stakeholder engagement.
- Acted as spokesperson and communications lead for incidents, business continuity, and reputational issues.
- Led enterprise Speaker’s Bureau and executive visibility programs, aligning messaging and managing media-facing opportunities to elevate senior leaders' presence.
- Led regional and enterprise external communications initiatives and press events across multiple Texas markets.
Communications Manager
Shell Oil Company
01.2000 - 01.2006
- Directed internal and external communications aligning messaging across leadership, employees, and external stakeholders, for all of Shell’s lines of business for five years and for Shell Lubricants for one year.
- Facilitated corporate transformation initiatives, including acquisitions, divestitures, and organizational change, enhancing stakeholder alignment.
- Managed media training programs and coordinated media events across domestic and international markets.
- Developed and managed media training programs and coordinated media events across domestic and international markets, improving media engagement.
- Oversaw a $1MM budget and managed the PR team and external agencies.
- Coordinated town halls, media tours, press conferences, and conventions, fostering communication and engagement with diverse audiences.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English & Mass Communications
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
LafayetteSkills
- Strategic Messaging
- Media & Analyst Relations
- Leadership Engagement
- Crisis Communication
- Crisis communication
- Corporate communications
- Reputation & Risk Management
- Stakeholder Communications
- Measurement & Communications Insights
Accomplishments
Add in later...
Certification
- Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), Public Relations Society of America
- Excellence for Nonprofit Leadership Certification, Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce
- AI Unleashed Summit
Timeline
Principal Consultant
Mothership Creative, LLC
01.2024 - Current
Executive Director, Senior Communications Advisor
Wells Fargo
01.2022 - 01.2024
Vice President, Senior Communications Advisor
Wells Fargo
01.2021 - 01.2022
Vice President, Communications Advisor
Wells Fargo
01.2016 - 01.2021
Assistant Vice President, Communications Consultant
Wells Fargo
01.2006 - 01.2016
Communications Manager
Shell Oil Company
01.2000 - 01.2006
Bachelor of Arts - English & Mass Communications
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Houston Chronicle – Correspondent & Photographer