Melissa Halliwell
Hamilton,ON
Summary
Focused crisis management professional successful at developing comprehensive corporate and community-centric disaster plans and oversee multiple stakeholders dealing with crisis response with detailed protocols and clear communication of specific tasks. Decisive project manager with the ability to make a significant impact on established structures, improve service quality and contain costs in order to optimize program reach.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Corporate and Community Crisis Manager
Airbnb
03.2020 - Current
- Analyzed data from past incidents in order to inform future decisions regarding crisis management strategy.
- Assessed individuals' risk levels and leveraged de-escalation techniques to manage crisis situations.
- Collaborated with senior management team members to develop strategies for mitigating risks associated with crises.
- Assisted in developing policies and procedures related to emergency preparedness and response planning.
- Monitored media coverage of crises in order to identify emerging issues and respond quickly.
- Facilitated meetings between internal teams as well as external partners when dealing with complex crises.
- Implemented continuous improvement processes for crisis management strategies, leading to more efficient responses over time.
- Incorporated lessons learned from industry best practices and global trends in crisis management to continually evolve organizational capabilities.
- Advised senior leadership on emerging threats and recommended adjustments to current policies or procedures to mitigate potential impacts.
- Established strong relationships with external partners such as law enforcement agencies, enhancing cooperation during times of crisis.
- Managed complex projects under tight deadlines while maintaining focus on long-term strategic goals related to crisis management capabilities.
- Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
- Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks.
- Mentored junior team members in project management best practices to enhance their skills and contribute to better overall performance.
- Conducted regular audits of existing policies and procedures, ensuring their continued effectiveness in addressing organizational goals related to mitigating risks.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement in risk management, encouraging feedback from employees to identify areas for enhancement.
- Assisted with minimizing risk exposure by reviewing claim validity and viability against coverage standards.
- Trained staff in risk management policies and monitored compliance to control company liability.
- Encouraged stakeholders to approach assessments analytically and offer unique insights to bring new understanding to risk management programs.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to establish clear roles and responsibilities during crisis scenarios, ensuring effective coordination of efforts.
Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) Coordinator
Developmental Services Resource Centre
08.2019 - 03.2020
- Assessed needs for each person to ascertain suitable services.
- Liaised with ministry officials to ensure project funding was prioritized
- Provided referrals to community resources such as rental assistance, public benefits, legal services, employment programs.
- Identified environmental challenges to client progress through interviews with patient and caregivers.
- Entered data, generated reports, and produced tracking documents.
- Improved team productivity with regular communication and progress updates, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Enhanced operational workflows by maintaining well-organized documentation systems and updating records accurately as needed.
- Optimized program retention rates by addressing any concerns or challenges faced by participants in a timely manner.
- Negotiated with landlords and real estate agents to obtain vacant apartments for clients with histories of homelessness, mental illness and substance abuse, occupying over 20 apartments by providing direct, hands-on support services.
- Streamlined housing processes for increased efficiency and reduced wait times for applicants.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, ON05-2019
Skills
- Project Management
- Community Relations
- Emergency Response Coordination
- Partnership Development
- Resource Coordination
- Incident Command
- Business Continuity
- Contingency Planning
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Professional Working
Timeline
Senior Corporate and Community Crisis Manager
Airbnb
03.2020 - Current
Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) Coordinator
Developmental Services Resource Centre
08.2019 - 03.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Ottawa