Marti Powers is the recently retired vice president of Communications for Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) where she was responsible for leading communications strategy and planning.

Powers oversaw a global team managing a broad range of communications work spanning employee and executive communications, media and public relations, digital and social, issues management and advocacy, advertising, and brand positioning. She led several successful campaigns and launched a new brand ‘look and feel’ campaign during her tenure.

Before joining Boeing, she was the external relations country manager at Shell Oil Company, where she oversaw the development and implementation of reputation strategies that supported the country and multiple lines of business license to operate objectives in the United States. In addition to these responsibilities, Powers also served as the external relations general manager for Shell’s Upstream Global Shales business, which included assets in the United States, Canada and Latin America.

Previously, Powers held a variety of senior public and government affairs roles at BP, supporting a range of upstream, midstream, downstream and deal closure businesses across the United States. Her tenure at BP included coordinating the development of a national corporate reputation program and membership on BP’s U.S. Policy Reputation Council.

Powers began her career over 35 years ago as a reporter moving into chamber of commerce economic development before taking a role with ExxonMobil. Her industry start began with the company’s chemicals business, quickly moving into roles that supported reputation communications across the entire business value chain in Latin America, major project development in China, operations integrity management initiatives, mergers and acquisitions, and joint venture support.

Powers maintains an active leadership role in business associations and community organizations, having held board positions with Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and American Leadership Forum and committee membership with American Petroleum Institute, The Conference Board, and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Inside Boeing, she was the executive sponsor for the newly formed Military Spouses Employee Resource Group.

An Air Force daughter and Navy wife, Powers has a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Midwestern State University and an Executive Master of Business Administration from Grand Canyon University, where she graduated summa cum laude and was inducted into the Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business. She is also a graduate of the American Leadership Forum Class of XLII. # # # 125%