Senior Communications Advisor

• May 2022 - Present

Communications Specialist

• May 2018 - May 2022

Owner and CEO

• Jan 2017 - Jan 2018

I provide communications advice and change management consultation on an ongoing or project-basis. Typically there is a suite of services offered which may include researching and writing original content for newsletter, blogs and websites. I can also offer social media support, assistance with surveys, polls, and some media relations. My focus is storytelling and internal communications. I can provide some photography and video-related services as well. Researching and creating a strategic communications plan or change management plan is also part of the services I offer. Show less

Communications Specialist (Contract)

• Feb 2017 - Oct 2017

• Built and improved upon the Union’s communication practices during the board election (politically sensitive time), such as establishing monthly messaging, developing a social media policy, creating a newsletter and producing consistent web content • Developed consistently monthly message from leadership (Business Manager) • Produced key messages, and created and analyzed member polls and surveys • Acted as web liaison between the Union and their web developer to answer any questions and track any feedback/suggestions for website improvement • Distributed multiple notices every month (required excel) to nearly 10,000 stakeholders • Created and distributed a member newsletter that had an average open rate of over 50% • Produced articles for the web and the monthly newsletter including one article that was published in the IUOE international newsletter • Provided social media monitoring and content management which resulted in a 25% increase of Facebook likes • Provided an extensive communication and change management strategic plan during the onboarding of the new Executive Board Show less

Communications Advisor

• Oct 2013 - Jun 2016

• Provided communications support to the Corporate Culture Office in their City-wide culture transformation initiative—the aim was to provide training, support and excellent communication to employees in order to transform the City into a more inclusive, positive and productive workplace • Developed a variety of communication products such as key messages, briefing notes, polls, social media content, web content, surveys, creative briefings, newsletter articles, speaking notes, presentations, videos, photos and provided strategic communications plans that had a focus on change management • Assisted with event planning for the Great City Event—the City's only corporate-wide event • Participated on an internal communications committee which was focused on improving our communication within our branch and also to communicate more effectively with staff inside the City of Edmonton • Cultivated relationships with stakeholders which including clients, members of the web team, and colleagues across the City • Involved in the management of corporate communication tools such as the front page of the City’s intranet, the weekly employee newsletter Great City News, and the weekly polls • Developed human interest stories for City-wide intranet/newsletter which included photography and videography—some stories contained political and sensitive information • Edited and uploaded content to the City-wide intranet using OpenText (Red Dot) and distributed the weekly employee newsletter using Industry Mailout • Worked extensively with Google products, including Sites, Calendar, Hangouts, Drive, Sheets and Gmail. • Led the creation of a new internal Google Site for the Communications branch that would allow employees to find shared documents, communicate with one another and celebrate successes Show less

Public Affairs Officer

• May 2011 - Oct 2013

Ministry: Justice and Solicitor General • Monitored various types of media for any issues related to ministry, then crafted report for morning meetings • Wrote a variety of content for the external GOA website as well as the JSG intranet • Drafted content for social media according to communications plan • Prepared key messages, briefing notes and speaking notes for clients, senior leaders and JSG Minister • Monitored QP and reported on any relevant content that would require issues management • Developed and handled media releases and inquiries for various clients including the Medical Examiner’s Office • One Canada-wide media release resulted in the identification of a John Doe who had been unidentified for years Ministry: Corporate Human Resources • Supported the entire CHR Ministry whose mission was to organize and support HR professionals embedded across the province in various ministries • Developed speaking notes for the Public Service Commissioner, Minister and Premier. • Participated in event planning and communications support for the Premier’s Award of Excellence and HR Professional Development Day. • Organized, edited and wrote the CHR monthly newsletter, as well as submitting content to the province-wide newsletter • Updated and edited the CHR Sharepoint sites • Worked collaboratively with graphic designers, photographers and videographers to produce marketing material for recruitment campaigns • Created strong relationships with stakeholders and provided consultation to senior leaders • Developed and executed strategic communications plans for events and program launches • Provided communications support for the launch of the Health Spending Account for provincial employees • Assisted with communications support during the Slave Lake Wildfires • Participated in focus groups and provided communications support for the GOA corporate culture initiative, Reaching Our Full Potential Show less

Transcriber

• Aug 2010 - Jun 2011

• Transcribing and timecoding production tapes for the Quon Dynasty television show. • Content was often difficult to understand as many actors had heavy accents • Required attention to detail, speed and accuracy • Transcribing and timecoding production tapes for the Quon Dynasty television show. • Content was often difficult to understand as many actors had heavy accents • Required attention to detail, speed and accuracy

Executive Assistant

• Mar 2011 - May 2011

• Greeted guests, answered phones, booked travel arrangements and meetings • Assisted with web content writing and RFP writing/editing • Ordered office supplies, updated contacts and assisted in various research projects • Greeted guests, answered phones, booked travel arrangements and meetings • Assisted with web content writing and RFP writing/editing • Ordered office supplies, updated contacts and assisted in various research projects

Librarian

• Sep 2009 - Jun 2010

• Prepared programming for children from various backgrounds and ages • Managed and ordered educational materials and books for teachers • Checked out books for children and provided a daily reading for younger students • Order and catalogued books and tracked any lost books • Implemented reading programs for both elementary, middle and high school students • Arranged for an international author to do a book reading tour with elementary students • Collaborated on structural changes for the library for the following year Show less

Community Support Worker

• Mar 2009 - Jul 2009

Provided support and assistance to adults with developmental disabilities in their homes. Provided support and assistance to adults with developmental disabilities in their homes.

Reporter/Photographer

• Mar 2008 - Dec 2008

• Assisted in organizing weekly edition, by generating story ideas, interviewing subjects, writing stories, and proofreading final copies • Provided photos and videos for online content as needed • Wrote a variety of stories including hard news, feature, sports, crime, politics, arts and music • Assisted with layout and design using QuarkXpress. • Cultivated relationships with sources in order to have a continuous flow of stories. • Role required excellent time management skills due to tight deadlines Show less

Freelance Writer for Here Magazine

• Apr 2006 - Apr 2008

• Wrote a variety of articles such as news, feature stories, arts, opinion, food and tourism • Networked with a wide range of contacts • Submitted articles to meet deadlines • Wrote a variety of articles such as news, feature stories, arts, opinion, food and tourism • Networked with a wide range of contacts • Submitted articles to meet deadlines

Customer Service Representative

• Sep 2007 - Mar 2008

• Provided customer service in a call center environment • Scheduled pick-ups for customers and handled inquiries • Tracked lost packages for customers that were sometimes irate • Resolved customer problems and complaints • Position required emotional intelligence, conflict resolution skills and excellent computer skills • Provided customer service in a call center environment • Scheduled pick-ups for customers and handled inquiries • Tracked lost packages for customers that were sometimes irate • Resolved customer problems and complaints • Position required emotional intelligence, conflict resolution skills and excellent computer skills

Sales Associate

• May 2006 - Jun 2007

Provided customer service and calculated final sales for customers. Provided customer service and calculated final sales for customers.

Communications Assistant

• Oct 2006 - Apr 2007

• Wrote communications pieces for STU Communications Department including press releases, articles for their alumni magazine, and the STU website • Assisted with reviewing other recruitment and promotional documents for publication • Wrote communications pieces for STU Communications Department including press releases, articles for their alumni magazine, and the STU website • Assisted with reviewing other recruitment and promotional documents for publication