Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
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Melissa Natividade

Atlanta,GA

Summary

Resourceful bilingual Conservation and Communications Specialist with over 7 years of outreach organization and development success, geared at driving natural and community resource protection and preservation initiatives. Highly analytical and organized with intuitive coordinating and program development abilities. Welcoming and personable with a keen eye for detail. Excellent technical, project management, and communication skills dedicated to environmental conservation and historical preservation.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

NSF Rare Plant Conservation Coordinator

Atlanta Botanical Garden
11.2022 - Current
  • Developed a $3M Rare Plant Conservation Mentorship grant proposal for the National Science Foundation, which was approved and awarded in full fall of 2022.
  • Recruited three additional high profile national botanic gardens to create a coalesced, geographically dispersed network to support dynamic, societally relevant botanical conservation research.
  • Utilized intuitive project management skills to self-design a four year project roadmap and operational guidelines.
  • Balanced internal administrative rhythms and scheduling, participating mentee research support, and external public facing information distribution needs, while ensuring a collaborative nature among all 45 direct project participants, as well as tangential, though essential, program collaborators and volunteers.
  • Increased applicant participation by 57% from 2023 recruitment season to 2024 recruitment season through creative and intentional outreach practices for program demographics.
  • Researched and networked nationally and internationally for program expansion opportunities, as well as unique and effective research opportunities for participating mentees.
  • Managed project timelines for successful completion of all tasks and outreach, ensuring milestones were met and deadlines were adhered to.
  • Increased efficiency by streamlining coordination processes and implementing new organizational systems.
  • Improved team productivity with regular communication and progress updates, fostering a collaborative work environment.
  • Coordinated cross-functional teams, resulting in seamless project execution and enhanced outcomes.
  • Managed budgets skillfully by tracking expenses diligently and allocating resources appropriately based on priority needs.
  • Participated in and organized workshops, conferences, and mentoring sessions to enhance personal growth, professional development, and better understanding of diversity, equity, and accessibility.

Communications and Outreach Strategist

Ruby Brick
10.2021 - 11.2022
  • Project management of wrap around weekly content creation across all platforms for 5+ nonprofit organizations, including Friends of Refugees.
  • Consulted, drafted, edited, and published professional blog posts, thought leadership pieces, social media content, graphic design, videos, LOIs, website copy and design, email newsletters, and mass email campaigns to further organizational communications strategies.
  • Designed company outreach, development, and fundraising campaigns to optimize donor and business engagement, as well as to increase brand awareness.
  • Designed and copyedited print collateral materials and coordinated branding across multiple communications channels, such as social media, email, and web.
  • Managed all internal company correspondence, as well as client correspondence by delivering documents, memos, and analytics to appropriate personnel.
  • Prepared event communications, took high quality photographs during events, and promoted on web and periodical channels, such as donor updates.
  • Mastered and launched direct marketing techniques to boost brand reach and increase donor engagement.
  • Improved internal team performance and efficiency via monthly training sessions centered around outreach strategies, marketing shifts, web development, and quarterly trends.
  • Offered friendly, efficient, and accurate responses to clients and customers, handled challenging situations with ease.

Outreach Coordinator and Science Presenter

Science From Scientists
08.2018 - 10.2021
  • Responsible for the original witty writing, production and performance of Epcot’s Growing the Future and Spectaculab science presentations, utilizing scientific concepts and applications, while catering to a Walt Disney World tourist spectator base.
  • Pioneered and cultivated WDW’s first three-party partnership with an external non-profit and sponsor.
  • Responsible for interviewing, training, and scheduling for all newly hired science presenters and Disney Equity actors.
  • Partnered with local scenic studio to design venue and overall theming, while also designing appealing show branding elements and graphic designs.
  • Utilized knowledge of audio, lighting and general event planning to coordinate audio and visual effects as well as replenishment and inventory of tear-away props daily, at a minimum of 5 sets per day.
  • Established and maintained exceptional safety standards and cleanliness of all shared articles and surfaces during the longevity of presentation during COVID-19 era.

Guest Relations Coordinator

The Walt Disney Company
06.2019 - 05.2021
  • Designed and successfully introduced enhanced environmentally conscious protocols and prototype programs within department- programs integrated within all Walt Disney World Park Arrival Departments within one year.
  • Served as point of contact for internal department operations- facilitating communication between upper management, corporate offices, employees and all international and domestic interns.
  • Coordinated and formed working relationships with over 70 teams and departments- domestic and international- to provide the most accurate and specialized services, experiences, and recovery to guests and workers.
  • Utilized 16+ computer programs for recovery of any guest issues across 6 US theme parks, 32 resorts.
  • Prepared a variety of weekly written communications, daily reports, performance reviews, and legal documents to ensure smooth operations.
  • Excelled working within tight deadlines and fast-paced, challenging atmosphere- balancing team needs, administrative duties, and escalated guest scenarios.
  • Distributed promotional items and coordinated special guest engagement events.
  • Recruited by Animal Kingdom proprietor as one of five park representatives for new "Diversity and Inclusion" cast member program-focusing on generational inequity within the company, as well as creating dynamic solutions for more equal and unbiased treatment and opportunities for all cast members.
  • Exceeded department goals through effective task prioritization and exceptional work ethic expected from The Walt Disney Company.
  • Remedied any guest issues efficiently and effectively through active listening, conflict resolution and dynamic communication skills.
  • Worked closely with guests, often VIP or celebrity, with high degree of respect for privacy and guest expectations.

Conservation Education Administrator

The Walt Disney Company
07.2017 - 05.2019
  • Directed day-to-day operations of education program and supervised staff and Disney Professional Interns for optimized daily events.
  • Developed weekly deliverables and communications for training sessions, clearly presented educational programs, and donor engagement sessions.
  • Actively engaged and educated guests on specific wildlife and conservation initiatives worldwide.
  • Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities and experiences such as live presentations during veterinary checks and procedures.
  • Collaborated with animal care team to maintain general wellbeing of both guests and animals, enforcing all ASE, HSSE, and OSHA requirements of a zoological operation.
  • Planned and delivered monthly staff and leadership development and in-service training programs to enhance knowledge of constantly evolving ecosystems and AZA breeding initiatives on property.
  • Monitored and assessed participant progress throughout learning process and made adjustments to verify knowledge transfer and understanding.

Editorial and Design Administrator

Terracycle
10.2016 - 05.2017
  • Developed community outreach programs to involve locals- particularly young residents- within the sustainability movement, tailoring workshops and events showcasing feasible everyday conservation initiatives.
  • Designed and produced press releases and graphic design layouts for both printed and digital publications and product releases.
  • Responsible for curating, composing, and editing weekly articles and blogs on environmental sustainability projects pioneered by the company.
  • Entered and maintained departmental records in company databases.
  • Responsible for drafting, pitching, executing designs for modern apparel, signage, and products.
  • Utilized telephone etiquette skills to provide superior support in both inquiry services as well as product initiative proposals.
  • Improved office efficiency by effectively managing internal communications and correspondence.

River- Friendly Program Coordinator

The Watershed Institute
05.2015 - 11.2016
  • Developed, led, and participated in newly designed, diversified educational outreach programs such as school outreaches, workshops, stream-cleanups, and soil sampling analyses; to boost audience interest.
  • Worked with residents, schools, businesses, and golf courses to develop conscious actions and business habits to conserve water and restore local habitats for wildlife.
  • Maintained the RF database and website, updating with relevant information and upcoming programs to cultivate optimized information access.
  • Collaborated with other Watershed science and stewardship teams to advance the goals of RF programs.
  • Scheduled virtual and in person staff and participant meetings to discuss future projects and guide participants on program paths and milestones.
  • Designed and organized digital and printed materials for events, meetings, website, and donor outreach.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Environmental Sciences

The College of New Jersey
Trenton, NJ

Bachelor of Arts - Journalism And Communications

The College of New Jersey
Trenton, NJ

Skills

  • Bilingual with native proficiency in English and Portuguese
  • Professional working proficiency in Spanish and Italian
  • Reading proficiency in Japanese
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • Mailchimp
  • Google Suite
  • Canva
  • WordPress
  • Zendesk
  • Zoom
  • Asana
  • Monday
  • Square
  • Eventbrite
  • Microsoft Office
  • Video Production
  • Editing
  • Copy Writing
  • AP Writing
  • Ghost Writing
  • Team Oriented
  • Project Management
  • Volunteer management
  • Social and Interactive Media Skills
  • Client needs assessments
  • Planning and Coordination
  • Training and Development
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Self-directed
  • Strong Presentation Skills
  • Outreach and Diplomacy
  • Strong Organizational Skills
  • Spatial Awareness
  • Interviewing skills
  • Facility and docent tours
  • Event Coordination
  • Strategic Planning
  • Project Coordination
  • Permit applications
  • Budget Planning

Languages

Portuguese
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Limited Working
Japanese
Elementary

Timeline

NSF Rare Plant Conservation Coordinator

Atlanta Botanical Garden
11.2022 - Current

Communications and Outreach Strategist

Ruby Brick
10.2021 - 11.2022

Guest Relations Coordinator

The Walt Disney Company
06.2019 - 05.2021

Outreach Coordinator and Science Presenter

Science From Scientists
08.2018 - 10.2021

Conservation Education Administrator

The Walt Disney Company
07.2017 - 05.2019

Editorial and Design Administrator

Terracycle
10.2016 - 05.2017

River- Friendly Program Coordinator

The Watershed Institute
05.2015 - 11.2016

Bachelor of Science - Environmental Sciences

The College of New Jersey

Bachelor of Arts - Journalism And Communications

The College of New Jersey

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Melissa Natividade