Melissa Quesnel

Creative Communications Professional

I think of myself as a storyteller. I have a passion for telling the story of companies that make an impact on people around the world. With experience spanning an array of communications disciplines for more than 15 years, I have put this passion to work at several global organizations.

MelissaQuesnel@gmail.com

(518) 944 1016

LinkedIn

 

Experience

Communications & engagement Manager
SI Group

July 2019 to present
 

Responsible for SI Group’s global employee communications strategy and culture building. This requires working closely with the CEO and leadership team to develop and execute creative communication solutions for a rapidly evolving company.

The pandemic fundamentally changed the employee experience. Internal communications have never been so important but so challenging at the same time. At the start of the COVID crisis, I developed several strategies to keep SI Group’s employees connected to safety information and the business’ mission. One of my largest initiatives was introducing a weekly video communication from our CEO and executive leadership team. Executing these weekly episodes required me to develop topic ideas, coordinate a virtual recording, edit the video, create an email communication that featured key messages written in the CEO's voice, and get all required approvals in less than a 24-hour period. Since starting in March 2020, I created more than 100 weekly episodes. My efforts were recognized with a 2020 SPARK award, the highest recognition in the company across 3,000 employees.

I also deployed the company's first employee engagement survey, which garnered 79% participation across a majority manufacturing population. 

 

Digital & Customer Communications Manager
GE Power

Feb 2015 to May 2019

In this newly created role, I was responsible for developing strategies and creative content for GE Power's external digital channels including social media, website, targeted marketing campaigns, and interactive customer experiences. This entails working with internal and external specialists to develop attention-grabbing content such as infographics and sharables, videos, and customer testimonials to clearly communicate complex and highly technical information. I also support our events team by helping to develop conference booths including messaging, graphics, and digital content such as videos, apps, and unique interactive experiences. Another important role is driving a social media strategy for key leaders in addition to creating thought leadership and positioning pieces for them.

I served as a manger in this role with a full-time direct report as well as a trainee. I acted as the press relations manager for more than a yearand was also appointed interim team leader during a leadership transition for a team of four while planning a significant business event in partnership with a customer. This event included achieving a Guinness World Record.  

While managing the GE Power LinkedIn channel, I grew the followers to over 1 million. I enjoyed the unique challenge of putting a modern spin on one of the businesses that birthed the GE company more than 131 years ago. This includes everything from a virtual reality tour of our manufacturing facility to creating the sassy voice of the world’s largest gas turbine on Twitter.  

LinkedIn . TwitterFacebook . Instagram . YouTube 

ge.com/power

Internal Communications Leader
GE Renewable Energy

May 2011 to Feb 2015

I led the development and execution of business-wide internal communications plan that reflected GE Renewable Energy's unique culture. I drove an internal communications strategy to connect employees to the business strategy while celebrating successes at all levels of the organization through the eyes of our customers. I worked hand-in-hand with the HR organization to guide organization changes through proactive, clear communications, and identified communication needs and drove the development of unique, engaging, and effective solutions. I supported and coached many of the business leaders, helping them find their voices and develop communication strategies that were tailored to their teams’ specific needs. 

I loved the opportunity to lead internal communications for this business because I got to be the employees' biggest cheerleader. And the rapidly evolving energy space of Renewable Energy afforded a unique environment to take creative risks.

I was appointed interim team leader during a leadership change as well as overseeing an employee on a temporary assignment. This included leading a team of three people while planning a significant business announcement and event. 

Communications Specialist: Writer
Granite Services assigned to GE Power & Water

Oct 2008 to May 2011

In addition to continuing to support Schenectady site communications, I was responsible for writing and editing internal and external communications including intranet articles, email newsletters, customer magazines, product fact sheets and brochures, and other communication plan collateral across each business that made up GE Power & Water. I enjoyed the opportunity to dive head-first into each power generation type including gas power, renewable energy, and nuclear power. I served as the team leader, managing three employees. 

Internal Communications Specialist
Adecco Staffing assigned to GE Energy

July 2007 to July 2008

I led Schenectady site communications where I could often be found “playing reporter” across a site of over 3,000 employees - split between professional and manufacturing employees. I loved having the opportunity to make connections with employees across every business on site and finding unique stories to illustrate the impact of their work.

NewsRoom intern
WNYT Newschannel 13

Jan 2007 to May 2007

Assisted in script writing, researching story ideas and sources, setting up interviews, assignment desk duties, and shooting and editing video. 


Public Relations Intern
Cherry Communications

Sept 2006 to Dec 2006 

Developed PR materials and promotional campaigns for clients to obtain local, state, and national coverage including a feature in Everyday with Rachael Ray.

Recommendations

Areas of Expertise

  • Employee engagement
  • Culture communications
  • Script writing
  • Executive coaching
  • Copy writing & editing
  • Video creation & editing
  • Creative content creation
  • Strategic communication campaigns
  • Working with creative agencies & designers
  • Live event broadcasting
  • Web content development & management
  • Targeted marketing campaigns
  • Interactive experiences
  • Virtual & augmented reality
  • Event planning
  • Social media
  • Press relations
  • Collateral development
Programs & platforms
  • Adobe Experience Manager & Analytics
  • Adobe Premiere
  • Microsoft O365, Teams, 
    SharePoint
  • Canva
  • Trello
  • Zoom
  • WordPress
  • Drupal
  • Sprout Social
  • Hootsuite
  • Tweet Deck
  • Kapost
  • DotNetNuke CMS
  • PR Newswire

Education

B.A. Communications

Minor: Journalism
University at Albany
Summa Cum Laude

Achievements:

  • Top 1% of graduating class: Nominated for the Wilkie Award for outstanding graduating senior in the field of Communications
  • Officer in Lambda Pi Eta, official communication studies honor society of the National Communication Association (NCA)
  • Member of the Presidential Honor Society
  • Member of Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society
  • Member of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars

Training & Awards 

  • GE Foundations of Leadership
  • GE Leadership Development
  • GE Change Acceleration Program
  • SI Group's Spark Award 2020 recognizing top 25 performers across company
  • Cine Golden Eagle Award for "Communicator in Chief" video
  • GE Renewable Energy's Best of the Best Award:
    • Hugger (2012)
    • Renewatude (2013)

Just for fun...

This is Dexter. He's a goofy goldendoodle who brings a smile to everyone he meets, including our family. He has a very different story to tell.

© Copyright Melissa Quesnel