Executive communications, speechwriting, and strategic messaging supporting public engagement, institutional leadership, and high-profile initiatives.
Developing clear, credible, and audience-focused communications that inform, inspire, and strengthen public trust.
Overview
From 2021 to 2025, Melissa Goertzen served as Communications Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, supporting two Lieutenant Governors during her tenure.
She held direct responsibility and delegated authority for the development, review, and approval of communications materials supporting official programs, public engagement initiatives, ceremonial events, and recognition programs aligned with the Canadian Honours System.
Work included executive speechwriting, inductee biographies, media releases, annual reports, briefing materials, official program content, web communications, and stakeholder-facing materials developed for public, institutional, and government audiences.
Additional public-sector experience includes policy, research, and executive communications work with Service Nova Scotia, Government of Nova Scotia (2018–2021), where responsibilities included preparation of briefing notes, presentations, media briefing materials, and requests related to legislative amendments supporting policy modernization initiatives.
Decision Environments
Communications were developed within high-profile public-sector and institutional environments requiring:
- alignment with protocol, governance, and public expectations
- responsiveness to evolving government and stakeholder priorities
- coordination across government departments, community organizations, and ceremonial stakeholders
- management of sensitive, time-sensitive, and publicly visible communications
- preparation of materials supporting executive leadership and ministerial decision environments
Work frequently supported senior public officials, ministers, executive leadership, award recipients, community organizations, and public engagement initiatives involving provincial stakeholders.
Assignments required balancing accessibility and public engagement objectives with institutional standards, operational timelines, and political and ceremonial considerations.
Approach, Methodology & Contributions
Melissa Goertzen developed communications through a research-informed and audience-focused approach emphasizing clarity, structure, accuracy, and alignment with institutional objectives.
Responsibilities included:
- executive speechwriting and formal communications
- preparation of briefing notes, presentations, and executive support materials
- development of public-facing and institutional communications products
- drafting of requests related to legislative amendments and policy modernization initiatives
- preparation of media briefing materials and stakeholder communications
- development of annual reports, web content, ceremonial programs, and official publications
- editorial oversight, review, and approval of communications products
- communications planning for public engagement and recognition initiatives
- coordination of messaging across digital, print, media, and event environments
Communications materials were developed to support consistency across platforms while ensuring accessibility, institutional credibility, and alignment with strategic and operational objectives.
Outcomes & Impact
Work supported the successful delivery of official programs, public engagement initiatives, policy modernization efforts, and ceremonial events across Nova Scotia.
Outputs contributed to:
- consistent and coordinated communications across official platforms
- effective support for executive leadership and ministerial communications environments
- strengthened accessibility and clarity of public-facing institutional materials
- successful delivery of high-profile ceremonies and recognition initiatives
- development of structured communications and reporting materials supporting continuity and operational efficiency
Communications products were used in official ceremonies, annual reporting, ministerial and executive briefing environments, media engagement, stakeholder communications, and public-facing digital and print publications.
Relevance to Clients
This experience demonstrates the ability to:
- provide executive communications support within complex public-sector and institutional environments
- develop briefing materials and communications products for senior leadership and ministerial use
- translate complex policy and institutional subject matter into clear public-facing communications
- support legislative modernization and stakeholder engagement initiatives through structured communications and reporting
- maintain consistency, discretion, professionalism, and accuracy across high-visibility communications environments
- operate effectively within settings requiring public trust, protocol awareness, and responsiveness to multiple stakeholder audiences
The project reflects experience supporting executive leadership through structured, insight-driven communications developed for complex governance and public engagement environments.
Project Samples
Annual Report:
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Official Remarks:
National Apology (2023)
News Release:
Order of Nova Scotia (2023)
Official Message:
The Coronation (2023)
Summary:
Developed a public-facing annual report highlighting official programs, public engagement initiatives, ceremonial events, and constitutional duties delivered through the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.
Summary:
Prepared executive speech materials supporting a nationally significant public engagement and recognition initiative involving descendants of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, senior public officials, and national media coverage.
Summary:
Developed a public-facing media release announcing recipients of the Order of Nova Scotia, the Province’s highest honour, recognizing individuals whose contributions have shaped Nova Scotia’s social, cultural, academic, and public life.
Summary:
Developed a public-facing Coronation message on behalf of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, supporting ceremonial, stakeholder, and public engagement communications distributed across official channels.
Supporting organizations through research, communications, and strategic advisory services.
From institutional assessment and policy modernization to executive communications and implementation guidance, services are tailored to help organizations navigate complexity and move initiatives forward.
Melissa Joy Goertzen 