Andrea Elder-Howell was named vice president of Legal Services of PSEG Long Island in July 2018. In this role, Andrea leads the legal team on Long Island and provides legal guidance on a variety of issues to key stakeholders at the utility.
Previously, Andrea served as senior commercial counsel at PSEG Long Island, where she advised and represented the utility in legal matters and commercial transactions, supported the company’s strategic business plan and strategically addressed potential legal issues and concerns.
She also reviewed, drafted and negotiated various commercial agreements while primarily supporting energy-related projects.
Prior to joining PSEG Long Island in 2014, Andrea served as vice president and assistant general counsel for RBS Sempra Commodities and senior commercial counsel for KeySpan Energy/National Grid.
In addition to her legal achievements, Andrea also made a lasting impact in academia as an associate director and professor for the First Year Experience and Community Action and Leadership Program (“CALL”) at the State University of New York at Old Westbury.
Here, she dedicated herself to the development and success of over 400 undergraduate students, fostering a community of learning and leadership excellence.
Andrea was recently appointed to serve on the board of The Old Westbury College Foundation. She also serves on the board of Mentor New York and as Girl Scouts of Nassau County vice president and chief volunteer officer.
She previously served on the executive boards of the New York State Bar Association and the Nassau County Chapter of Jack & Jill of America Inc. She is a 2018 graduate of the Energeia Leadership program and a 2019 recipient of the Herald Premier Business Women of Long Island Award.
She earned the Samuel B. Traum Achievement Award from The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants for her devotion to creating programs to assist high school students of color obtain knowledge of the business world.
She has also received awards from Jack and Jill of America and the New York State PTA for her dedication to promoting opportunities for youth on Long Island.
Andrea is admitted to the state bars of New York and New Jersey. She received her master of law in taxation from New York University School of Law, a juris doctorate from Rutgers University School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Queens College.
She lives with her husband John Howell, a retired partner of Ernst & Young, and has two sons, Jonathan and Evan.
What advice would you give other business leaders?
“Successful business leaders make informed decisions and set examples for their teams, partners, clients and customers. To build a thriving organization, I recommend five key steps: Firstly, prioritize integrity and ethics, which are foundational to trust and credibility in business.
“Secondly, cultivate a culture that values diversity and inclusion. Diversity in all its forms, from diversity of thought to cultural diversity, enhances decision-making and innovation.
“Thirdly, encourage open communication and transparency. The best teams I have been part of are those in which everyone is comfortable sharing their thoughts and, this is essential for effective teamwork and customer satisfaction.
“Fourthly, mentor others: You learn from those you mentor as much as they learn from you and sharing knowledge is crucial to shaping our next generation of leaders.
“Lastly, promote community engagement and volunteering. PSEG Long Island is committed to giving back to the communities it serves, and I have had great opportunities to get involved, meet new people and transform perceptions.
“This work is personally fulfilling, but more importantly, it enables me to use my experience and knowledge to make life better for people who deserve it.”
