Leanne Ritchie, M.A. Email & Phone Number

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

Working with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure to build a positive working relationship with the Mi’kmaw of Prince Edward Island.

Charlottetown, Pe, Canada

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Upward career in BC government communications since 2008.Positions include:November 2014 - CurrentCommunications Manager, Aboriginal Relations and ReconciliationSupporting Natural Resource Sector Ministries and community renewal partnerships with BC's Aboriginal communities. Focuses include increasing media profile of Aboriginal communities' cultural and economic contributions to provincial health, intercultural communication and mediation. January 2013 - November 2014Strategic and Proactive Communications Manager with Emergency Management BC. Working with a talented group of social media experts, our goal is to increase preparedness and awareness among British Columbians and enhance people and community resiliency in the face of emergency events.In addition, my team provides training and materials for a roster of more than 90 information officers who can be deployed to meet public information needs during emergency events.From May 2012 to January 2013Senior Public Affairs Officer - Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliations working on communications for strategic cross government files, with a heavy focus on issues management.From March 2011 to May 2012 Strategic Communications Advisor - Government Communications and Public Engagement writing and coordinating written products and speeches for the Premier's Office.From March 2010 to March 2011Senior Public Affairs Officer - Ministry of Education working on the $144 million capital works roll out to support full day kindergarten as well as working on the design and implementation of the online stakeholder engagement process, "BC's Education Plan" including a supporting social media strategy.From September 2008 to March 2010Public Affairs Officer - Ministry of Community Development working on media relations and issues management during municipal elections and writing keynote speeches.

Prince Rupert Bc

Responsibilities: - Afternoon editor managing a staff of 25 people, newspaper content and editorial stance.Tasks:- Interviewing professionals and the public, researching and writing news articles, columns, editorials, photography and editing. Police and court reporting, investigative journalism features, sports photography and human interest pieces.- Stakeholder and First Nations relations at community events.Results: - Increased the local newspaper content by 100 per cent, including the sourcing editorials and columns from community representatives.- Increased community coverage through the development of staff, interns and freelancers.Publication credits:Over the course of my journalism career I produced more than 9,000 byline stories with publication in every major Canadian daily newspaper as well as the bulk of B.C. papers including Black Press, Canwest and Canadian Press newswire services.

Vernon, Bc

Responsibilities/Tasks:- Researching and writing news articles, columns, editorials, photography and editing.- Police and court reporting, investigative journalism features, sports photography and human interest pieces.- Layout- Building relationships with the public, business owners and politicians.Results:- Reinvigorating the business section with added content, new columnists and a new design as well as engaging additional participation from the business community.- Recognized for award-winning service and excellence in community reporting.

Tofino/Ucluelet

Responsibilities/Tasks:- Researching and writing news articles, columns, editorials, photography and editing- Covering the interests of two polarized communities in Clayoquot Sound and topics ranging from First Nations relations, the UNESCO biosphere reserve, Clayoquot Sound Central Region Board, forestry, tourism, aquaculture and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Master Of Arts, Professional Communication

Journalism

Communications