At the dynamic Fabienne Colas Foundation, I work with a movie star creating opportunities for Black filmmakers in the Canadian independent film industry. My work at the foundation spans two departments: Social Media and Grant Writing. I also manage two part-time workers, one in each department.Social MediaI currently manage 21 profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for six film festivals and one filmmaker incubation program.Grant WritingI currently write grants for the same six festivals and filmmaker incubation program, completing all integral administration and management tasks, from opportunity research, application writing and submission, to preparing final reports for funders and building and maintaining a database of opportunities, applications, and results. In 2021, I secured a substantial amount for the organization through compelling and professional grant writing.

GoFish! Communications is a full-service PR firm serving local not-for-profits and small businesses in the HRM who do not have an internal communications department. My focus is empowering my clients to communicate effectively on their own, so they may amplify their voice and message across the crowded mediascape.

My background in public relations and journalism makes me a formidable freelancer, with the ability to take on a variety of topics for varying audiences. Please see the links below for some examples of my published work.

In addition to my main roles at Admiral (Risk-Based Monitor and Customer Care Representative, please see below), I took on the additional position of voluntary Content Contributor for the Marketing Department located in Wales, UK. Chosen to participate based on the caliber of my writing samples, I produced two articles a month for the 'magazine' sections of the consumer websites of Admiral’s various brands, on topics related to personal car and home insurance.Please follow the links below for a few examples of my articles, published on the Admiral and Diamond websites.

As the only Risk-Based Monitoring (RBM) Executive on the Compliance Team in the Halifax Renewals Department, I had a wide range of responsibilities. My main priority was listening to calls between our agents and customers, ensuring agents were properly managing the customer experience as per applicable laws and regulations, as well as our internal values of respect and fairness. I also represented the agents’ interests to management, striving for their equal treatment and a fair distribution of the incentive pot.I was also wholly responsible for the administration of the RBM activities, creating and maintaining a monthly tracker for the RBM workload.My position required:Conducting investigations to locate and mitigate potential risks to customers and the business, primarily by analyzing statistical anomalies in agent-performance statistics and certain types of high-risk policy changes. I also conducted ad-hoc investigations at the request of management.Highly developed decision-making skills. I was responsible for deciding what behaviors to investigate, what agents and/or policies to investigate, the criteria by which to mark individual decisions made by agents, and whether the decision caused concern or not.A high respect for confidentiality, as was privy to sensitive employee performance and disciplinary information.Communicating and interacting with all levels of internal stakeholders, from front-line employees to upper management, through PowerPoint presentations, written reports, info-graphic sheets, and face-to-face interaction.Extensive use of Excel for data collection, organization, and analysis, as well as for time- and task-management. My position also required the use of Microsoft Outlook and PowerPoint, and call-playback applications Ultra and Verint.In addition to my monitoring and administration duties, I continued to fulfill my duties as a CCR (below) by actively taking phone calls for a minimum of four hours per week.

As a CCR, I was responsible for the management of our customers' experiences with the company by delivering exceptional customer service. Located within the Renewals Department, I handled in-bound calls from customers whose car insurance policies would soon be expiring, attempting to recapture as much business as possible.This position required:Active listening skills.Attention to detail and the adherence to rules and regulations set by our industry regulator.Balancing the sometimes competing priorities of the company and the customer by displaying dedication to the values of fairness and respect.Embracing change and swiftly implementing new processes and procedures on a frequent basis.

Co-op Work Term IIIConceptualized and wrote the first draft of the IWK Foundation Centennial strategic communications plan.Prepared the weekly employee media update newsletter.Participated in meetings of the IWK Centennial planning committee and facilitated communications between members.Aided in the creative conception and planning of the IWK Centennial internal launch.Prepared display materials and conducted set-up for the IWK Centennial launch.Secured pricing and delivery of various promotional materials (aprons, bags, etc.) for the IWK Centennial launch.

Co-op Work Term II2008 World ConferenceCreated the promotional strategy for the ICSB world conference official launch event.Managed promotional activity for the launch event by preparing and distributing the conference media package, including fact sheets on ICSB, the 2008 conference, and small business statistics. I also actively contacted and followed-up with the media regarding these communications.Organized a time-line and activity list for those working on the launch event.Compiled and maintained the launch event invitation list in Excel; sent invitations and reminders via email
.Wrote and distributed weekly emails on conference events and news.Wrote articles for ICSB’s affiliate’s newsletters and websites.Wrote copy for paid advertisements.Designed the layout of the launch event invitation.Answered delegate queries about the conference, accommodations, Halifax, etc.

Co-op Work Term IPitched stories about CCOA activities, such as the gallery’s artist trading card event and the theatre’s costume department, that were picked up by local print and radio outlets.Acted as liaison between employees and print, radio, and TV reporters, ensuring all Equity media-appearance standards were being met.Wrote and distributed press releases, public service announcements, and actor profiles that were printed in local newspapers and arts publications on behalf of the CCOA.Produced the content of the weekly e-newsletter.Re-wrote and edited the bulk of the website copy.Requested and received information from all CCOA departments on their activities to maximize exposure for the entire centre.Maintained an organized file of local, regional, and national print media clippings on activities and events.Proofread advertisements and various promotional and business documents.