With nearly 20 years of experience in public affairs and strategic communications, Meghan Pennington guides corporations, non-profits, and advocacy organizations through complex regulatory environments and reputation-defining moments. As founder of Forest Drive Strategic Partners, she architects comprehensive public affairs strategies that align enterprise objectives with stakeholder expectations and public interest.

Before starting FDSP, Meghan was a parter at Penta Group, a stakeholder solutions firm, where she led teams advising clients on corporate reputation, issue management, crisis management, policy communications and media relations.

Prior to joining HPS, Meghan served in top communications roles on Capitol Hill for a decade. Most recently, Meghan was the communications director for U.S. Senator Tom Carper, a Democrat and ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Before joining Senator Carper’s staff, Meghan served as communications director for Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Prior to her time in the House of Representatives, she spent four years in the Senate working as press secretary for the late Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), as well as deputy press secretary and press assistant for former Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D–MD). Meghan also served as regional field director in Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley’s successful gubernatorial reelection in 2010.

A native of Hagerstown, MD, Meghan studied philosophy and political science at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she also served a term as the Student Government Association’s Vice President of Academic Affairs. She was also the founding chairperson of the Provost’s Student Advisory Council.

Meghan has lives in Washington, D.C., where she participates in a mentorship program for children and teens in the city’s foster care system.