Communications and Engagement Officer

• Jan 2021 - Present

Brandon Capital is Australasia's leading life science VC firm. We have supported more than 50 biotech start-up companies to date, the majority of which were founded by us. As the firm's Communications and Engagement Lead, I direct and manage development and implementation of innovative communications and engagement strategies for Brandon Capital and Brandon BioCatalyst.Achievements:• Directed, developed and implemented the firm's inaugural communications and engagement strategy• Developed and implemented integrated communication and social media processes, frameworks, issues management matrixes, and policies• Established the firm's digital channels and implemented digital creative and engagement tools company-wide• Led the firm's brand review and refresh project, which involved interviewing 70+ stakeholders, developing recommendations on communications and company activity, advising on rebrand solutions, and project managing identity rebrand, key messaging development and brand launch• Developed communications & PR playbook for portfolio companies and template resources which can be repurposed and implemented by portfolio companies• Led brand development and creative + comms set up of 7 Brandon-backed companies• Supported the public launch of more than 9 Brandon-backed companies• Provided strategic communications and brand project management for launch of CUREator, Australia's national biotech incubator Other responsibilities include:• Developing communications and social media strategies for Brandon Capital and Brandon BioCatalyst;• Providing strategic communications, PR, media and brand development support to Brandon Capital and investees;• Directing and delivering engagement strategies for internal and external stakeholders, including LPs, government and investees;• Producing strategic content for a range of print media, digital channels and audiences; • Relationship management (stakeholders and service providers)

Communications and Engagement Officer

• Oct 2020 - Jan 2021

Engagement Advisor

• Apr 2020 - Oct 2020

Contractor at Infracom/Te Waihanga – the Crown entity developing New Zealand’s 30-year infrastructure strategy and providing major project and infrastructure pipeline support to procuring agencies. Responsible for developing and implementing strategic stakeholder engagement strategies, Māori engagement, relationship management, event coordination and media relations to support the Commission’s key functions. Contractor at Infracom/Te Waihanga – the Crown entity developing New Zealand’s 30-year infrastructure strategy and providing major project and infrastructure pipeline support to procuring agencies. Responsible for developing and implementing strategic stakeholder engagement strategies, Māori engagement, relationship management, event coordination and media relations to support the Commission’s key functions.

Strategic Communications Consultant (freelance)

• Nov 2019 - Oct 2020

Freelance writer, strategic communicator and content creator open for commission - Strategic communications - communications strategy and tactical plans - Strategic regional, national & international media relations - Stakeholder engagement - News writing - Technical writing (health and biomedical) - Video production Freelance writer, strategic communicator and content creator open for commission - Strategic communications - communications strategy and tactical plans - Strategic regional, national & international media relations - Stakeholder engagement - News writing - Technical writing (health and biomedical) - Video production

Senior Communications Advisor

• Dec 2019 - Apr 2020

A part of the core NZIST Establishment team responsible for setting up the New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology (now Te Pūkenga) - a sustainable, national network of regionally-accessible vocational education and training that supports New Zealand’s work-based, provider-based and online learning in a unified system. Responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies and tactical plans, content production, developing stakeholder engagement strategies, government relations, media liaison, and reputational risk management and mitigation.

PR Account Manager

• Jan 2017 - Nov 2019

PR Account Manager responsible for accounts and projects relating to biotechnology, healthcare, ecology, Māori development, innovation and commercialisation, enterprise, patient advocacy, venture capital, higher education, technology, ecology, social issues (pro bono). Responsible for the handling of B2B and B2C client accounts based in New Zealand, Australia, United States and United Kingdom working in New Zealand, Australia, Asia Pacific, European and North American media markets. I provide strategic PR, media, and engagement support for clients on both a retained and project basis. Experienced in: media relations, strategic communications (internal and external), stakeholder engagement, government relations, news writing, medical writing, developing communication strategies and implementing tactical plans, client relations and reporting, video creation, social media management, identifying new business opportunities, creating PR business proposals.

Reporter

• Jul 2016 - Jan 2017

News editor and reporter for Bay Harbour News (Lyttelton, Sumner, Banks Peninsula weekly community newspaper). Fashion writer and columnist for The Star newspaper (weekly Christchurch newspaper). Contributor to CTV (Canterbury Television) daily news bulletin. News editor and reporter for Bay Harbour News (Lyttelton, Sumner, Banks Peninsula weekly community newspaper). Fashion writer and columnist for The Star newspaper (weekly Christchurch newspaper). Contributor to CTV (Canterbury Television) daily news bulletin.

Reporter

• Sep 2015 - Aug 2016

Television reporter for Channel 39 Dunedin Television’s daily evening news bulletin. Responsible for finding and reporting on news stories in the Dunedin area for Allied Press television department in Otago. Daily responsibilities included: finding news stories, interviewing, story scripting, voice over and audio recording, video editing. Television reporter for Channel 39 Dunedin Television’s daily evening news bulletin. Responsible for finding and reporting on news stories in the Dunedin area for Allied Press television department in Otago. Daily responsibilities included: finding news stories, interviewing, story scripting, voice over and audio recording, video editing.

Student Journalist

• Feb 2014 - Aug 2015