State Committee Member Victoria

• Mar 2023 - Present

I feel privileged to be selected to join the State Committee Victoria of Women in Media Australia and work alongside passionate and highly experienced journalists as well as media and communications professionals to support and empower women working in all facets of media in Victoria and across the country. Women in Media (WIM) - currently having 6000 members nationwide - is a not-for-profit industry body developed by and for women in media across Australia. WiM exists to help women in media excel, learn, contribute, and connect. The State Commmittee will - amongst other duties - run a series of events to allow women in media to network, further their skills and receive support catering to their specific needs. Currently, I am taking the lead in organising a hybrid (in-person and streaming) event that will empower women to "stand up" in challenging situations that we have identified in an industry where women are severely underrepresented.

Board Member

• Feb 2023 - Present

I'm honoured to have been elected to serve on the board of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Victoria. IABC Vic is one of the world's largest chapters of the IABC outside North America. Since 1970, the IABC has set the standard of global excellence for communication professionals, with thousands of members and organisations adhering to the standards and trusting its expertise. We run an active program of events, networking opportunities, professional development, international certification and global industry awards. Our members are part of a rapidly growing communication association that is fiercely focused on the needs of Victorian communication professionals. I invite you to follow us here on LinkedIn and come along to our events which will be one of my areas of focus as co-chair of events.

Senior Advisor Media and Communications

• Jan 2023 - Present

Founder | Communications Advisor | Social Media Consultant | Communication and Media Coach - DIAKLA

• Jul 2016 - Present

It can be hard to stand out in saturated markets and noisy channels. Diakla is a niche communications consultancy specialising in digital brand building, PR, content, community, and campaign creation, and communications coaching. My clients include not-for-profits, start-ups and small to medium size businesses, as well as corporates, entrepreneurs, researchers, scientists, technical experts, and business founders. Over the past five years I’ve helped my clients grow their visibility, online presence and authority through innovative marketing and social media campaigns, responsive data-driven communication strategies and targeted media content. With structured methods to community building, paired with authentic storytelling and messaging approaches, my clients have rapidly elevated their followers - as much as 200 to 400% within the first few months. During COVID, this included helping a new restaurant opening amid the pandemic, to sell out its launch events despite foot traffic being at a fraction of normal levels. As a coach I have transformed clients with no online presence into recognised authorities attracting speaking engagements, international media coverage and sales - all from LinkedIn. Liaising with the media and influencers to secure coverage for my clients and managing their content calendars, content creation (images, videos, graphics) and data analysis also belong amongst my achievements. I also facilitate social media workshops and train clients´ staff members to promote the organisation’s mission, campaigns, achievements, fundraisers, or services. Diakla was also the marketing leader behind Melbourne´s Inaugural German Week. I led the communication strategies, stakeholder engagement, website build, media engagement and event promotion in a vibrant program of sell-out-events.

Publicist and Media Relations Specialist

• May 2022 - Jan 2023

Jean Hailes is a national government-funded, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the health of women, girls & gender-diverse individuals. The organisation provides trusted, evidence-based health education in various forms - from podcasts to downloadable fact sheets & educational kits - in plain English & a growing number of languages. It also offers accreditated training to health professionals. I’m thrilled that in this newly created role, within a short time, I have proactively & successfully placed a consistently growing number of stories, interview partners & women with lived experience in programs ranging from popular local to well-respected national shows, like ABC's "The Conversation Hour" and on national TV including Channel 9 and 10 news, the ABC and renowned publications like "The Age", "The Australian", Mamamia and Women's Agenda, Coles and Medibank magazines. I have also created opportunities for features, articles and opinion pieces in, e.g. "The Canberra Times" Tapping into my network of members of the media and connections in the culturally & linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, I have achieved reoccurring coverage - amongst others - on SBS (English) digital and several SBS in-language programs as well as major media outlets like "The Indian Sun." By proactively approaching First Nations media & contacts with cultural fluency & respect, I have gained ongoing coverage for Jean Hailes & culturally sensitive issues. I have also brought Jean Hailes first trans-gender champion on board helping the organisation to amplify key messages and grow its profile. I also create media alerts & releases, co-created new media kits including sound and video grabs, social media tiles & various story angles, talking points and briefing notes, social media posts and pitches to main- and off-stream media, laisie with key journalists and internal and external spokespeople and stakeholders and provide media advice and monitoring and reporting.

Senior Communications & Marketing Coordinator

• Jan 2022 - Apr 2022

Variety - the Children's Charity supports kids and families facing challenges through illnesses, disadvantages or living with special needs to live, laugh and learn - regardless of their backgrounds. Now in the wake of COVID, this mission is more imperative than ever. I am proud as Senior Communications and Marketing Manager to have helped the organisation in this important work and to have had the honour of sharing its vital marketing messaging and life-changing stories. Together with the organisation's dynamic Board and team, my focus was on building awareness of the challenges facing many children and families in the community and promoting Variety's events, programs and brand through compelling storytelling, clear marketing strategies and effective messaging across all digital and media channels. If you'd like to find out more about Variety and how you can support its work, please connect.

Founder and Editor in Chief

• 2007 - 2021

Deutsche in Melbourne (“Germans in Melbourne”) was a unique and popular Online Lifestyle & News Portal for Germans speakers based in Melbourne, Australia, and worldwide. I founded this popular site to connect fellow German speakers with each other, as well as with resources, activities, and job opportunities in Melbourne. It grew to become the most reputable and trusted site for German speakers seeking information about Australia, as well as organisations and institutions seeking to connect with this niche market. As founder and Editor-in-Chief, I built all the communication strategies, content and events that saw it evolve into this popular globally appreciated community. Highlights and memorable moments in this role include: • Being invited by German Embassy to accompany the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, during her 2-day visit in Sydney. • Shaping an active social media community, a rich library of web-based content, and a bi-weekly newsletter that has been truly valued by DiM’s local and international audience. • Planning, delivering, and participating in dozens of sell out networking events, with topical speakers that engaged with our vibrant Expat community. • Transitioning what started as a community site to a revenue-generating entity supported by organisations, government, consulates, schools, Chambers of Commerce, and community groups. • Sourcing content, editing, and writing information-rich articles that not only attracted visitors to the site but saw these people commonly browse more than half a dozen different pages and spend 5 - 15 minutes on the site.

Communications & Engagement Coordinator (Part Time)

• May 2018 - Jun 2019

Women in Super (WIS) is a not-for-profit national advocacy group that works to achieve better and fairer retirement outcomes for Australian women who currently retire with 47% less superannuation than men. Working closely with the CEO and Communications Manager my role was focused on increasing brand awareness and engagement, improving media coverage, and managing WIS’s digital platforms. Together I’m proud to say we grew awareness of the organisation’s critical work, identifying underutilised social media channels, and creating engaging content that dramatically lifted post engagement, extended message reach and heightened media coverage. I also helped WIS to convey the immense value of its work, tell the stories of its members and bring awareness of the financial plight of Australian women stemming from superannuation inequity. I am also proud of my contribution through my work with WIS to the WIS Mother's Day Classic - the national fun run & walk event that has raised more than $35 million for breast cancer since its foundation in 1998.

Freelance & Contract Journalist - International newspaper, print & online publications

• 1996 - 2017

Over many years in international journalism, I successfully pitched story ideas and generated articles for various international newspapers, magazines, news agencies and online publications in editorial departments, such as Current Affairs, News, Arts and Culture, Business, Finance, Lifestyle and Sports written in German and English. Over many years in international journalism, I successfully pitched story ideas and generated articles for various international newspapers, magazines, news agencies and online publications in editorial departments, such as Current Affairs, News, Arts and Culture, Business, Finance, Lifestyle and Sports written in German and English.

Co-Director - Raab & Raab Performance Consulting

• Oct 2004 - Dec 2006

Raab and Raab was a small private consultancy offering strategic planning advice, change and specialising in improving communication skills to trigger desired outcomes. Services were provided as public seminars, in house training and private coaching. In this role I coached our clients in the art of communication including how to write and present with impact. This included the design and delivery of tailored coaching assisting professionals of all levels and backgrounds to elevate their communication skills. This included assistance with writing for grants, interview coaching, speeches, and presentation delivery. I also ran monthly seminars, including “communication for women”.

Corporate Newsletter Reporter for “The Village”- publication for Athletes & Team Officials

• 2006 - 2006

I was selected to work as a voluntary Corporate Newsletter Reporter for "The Village" - a publication for the Athletes and Team Officials of the 2006 XVIII Commonwealth Games Athletes' Village. The publication served as the “face” and reflected values of the Commonwealth Games and Australia as host nation. All selected team members were highly qualified journalists with extensive national and international experience at leading international newspapers and magazines. My role was to educate, entertain, inform, involve and motivate the publication’s international audience, and to contribute to the production of this prestigious publication. Drawing from my experience as a daily newspaper journalist, I worked closely with high profile celebrities including politicians, royalties and dignitaries to generate numerous written and photographic storylines aimed at appealing to the newsletters diverse, international audience.

Founding Board Member (Media, Marketing, Public Relations)

• 2004 - 2006

Deutsche Schule Melbourne is a specialist German-English bilingual immersion school. As a founding Board Member, I played an instrumental role in setting up the school’s initial communication strategy, website, and brand identity. I also led media, marketing and public relations strategies and internal communications strategies; along with attracting potential students and sponsors. I also built relationships with German and Australian Government officials, businesses, and communities; created content for school’s internet; and secured invaluable coverage in media including “The Age”, “German-Australian Chamber of Commerce” publications, “Melbourne Child” and German newspapers and radio in Australia

Cross Cultural Awareness Trainer, Teacher for German & French

• 1998 - 2004

I planned and facilitated Cross-Cultural Awareness Training and Language Courses and One-on-One tuitions to a broad range of clients who were e.g. being part of higher management of multinational companies like Siemens and Bosch, Australia, to individuals. I planned and facilitated Cross-Cultural Awareness Training and Language Courses and One-on-One tuitions to a broad range of clients who were e.g. being part of higher management of multinational companies like Siemens and Bosch, Australia, to individuals.

International Flight Attendant

• 1997 - 1998

Freelance Journalist

• 1997 - 1997

After securing a highly sought-after internship with Associated Press in London I continued to work for the international news agency as a freelance Journalist generating articles in English and German (for Associated Press in Germany). After securing a highly sought-after internship with Associated Press in London I continued to work for the international news agency as a freelance Journalist generating articles in English and German (for Associated Press in Germany).

Lecturer for Practical Journalistic Skills (Part time)

• 1996 - 1997

Driven by my passion for transferring my knowledge and skills and after having identified a lack of opportunities for practical studies in journalism at my Alma Mater, I educated Journalism Students in Practical Journalistic Skills. This included making them familiar with various journalistic genres and giving them the opportunity to gain first-hand experience producing articles in these genres as well as providing constructive feedback. I planned and facilitated the course as well as organised - amongst others - high profile interview partners for the students. The course was exceptionally well received by students, gaining outstanding feedback that triggered a subsequent course the following semester. About Georg-August-University Göttingen Founded in 1737, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen is a research university of international renown with strong focuses in research-led teaching. The University is distinguished by the rich diversity of its subject spectrum particularly in the humanities, its excellent facilities for the pursuit of scientific research, and the outstanding quality of the areas that define its profile. Around 45 Nobel laureates' names are associated with the city. After the end of World War II, Göttingen University was the first in Germany to resume its teaching operations and it went on to become one the largest higher education institutions in the country.

Cadetship & Editor

• 1995 - 1997

The Hessische Niedersächsische Allgemeine - one of the first German newspapers founded or respectively re-established after World War II in 1945 - is a renowned regional newspaper with various offices in Germany´s states of Hessia, Lower Saxony and formerly in Thuringia. During a sought-after two year cadetship at the Hessische Niedersächsische Allgemeine - at that time an independent newspaper sold over 250,000 copies daily - I received a thorough journalistic training in various departments in various cities, the well-known major German regional daily newspaper had established offices. Claudia was accepted into the cadetship although she had not yet finished her MA at Georg-August-University, Göttingen, which was a very rare occasion and tribute to her outstanding writing skills and work attitude which she had proved while working part time for various HNA editorial offices while studying. The cadetship also included an intense month long training at Germany´s renowned "Akademie für Publizisitk" in Hamburg, Germany. She successfully completed her MA while working full-time at the HNA. During her cadetship, some of Claudia´s articles were selected to be published in an journal for journalists that published stories of exceptional standard and as inspiration for peers. After having finished her cadetship, Claudia was offered a position at one of the editorial offices of the HNA.