February 3, 2021 – Today, DC Water CEO and General Manager David L. Gadis announced the hiring of Kirsten B. Williams to fill the new role of Chief Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Officer, effective March 1, 2021.

In this newly created role, Williams will be responsible for developing a strategic communications plan for the Authority and overseeing marketing, media relations, crisis communications and reputation management.  Serving as a member of the executive leadership team, she will advise the CEO and other senior officers on a broad range of internal and external communications, while also setting the vision and strategy for stakeholder engagement.

“As we focus on delivering the six strategic program areas and values of The Blueprint, our new strategic plan, Kirsten’s impressive portfolio of experience, combined with her steadfast dedication to our community, make her the perfect executive to assume this important role,” said David L. Gadis, DC Water CEO and General Manager. “Her expertise will position us for future success as we continue to tell DC Water’s story and enhance our relationships with our employees, customers and key stakeholders,” Gadis said.

Williams has a demonstrated history of helping utilities build innovative community programs and collaborate with key stakeholders to support organizational goals and improve the customer experience. She began her public affairs career at Duke Energy where she provided strategic external and internal communications support to the Customer Service, Sales and Marketing division and McGuire Nuclear Station. Locally, Williams was a Senior Public Affairs Manager at Pepco, addressing policy and legislative matters in the District as well as stakeholder relations. She was also the Vice President of Government Affairs for the Apartment and Office Building Association, executing the development and implementation of the association’s regulatory and legislative campaigns. Most recently, she serves as the Deputy Executive Director at the D.C. Public Service Commission, which regulates the gas and electric companies in Washington, D.C.

Williams said she’s eager to join DC Water and explore new ways to communicate and engage with customers and employees. “My entire career has been guided by a singular purpose - to contribute positive change in the communities I serve,” Williams said in a statement. “I consider it as much a calling as it is a privilege to be given this opportunity to join DC Water. I share the Authority’s commitment to raising the bar on stakeholder engagement and look forward to communicating its story of operational excellence.”

Williams is a graduate of Appalachian State University where she holds two Bachelors of Science degrees in Public Relations and Public Communications and a Master of Public Administration. Williams also holds a Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law.