> Carmen Kinniburgh Writing & Editing Services (freelance)

(September 2010–present)

• working on a variety of writing and editing projects, for a variety of clients including the Canadian Cancer Society, Lakehead University, the University of Toronto, the Luxus Group, Vincent Design, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Biothermic Inc., Community Futures Partners of Saskatchewan and more.
• contributed a feature article to the flagship print issue of Almost Fearless magazine.
• regular contributor to the Parentwise Canada blog.

>Canadian Cancer Society (National Office)

(July 2008– August 2010)

Internal Communications Specialist

• developed and implemented the Society’s internal communications strategy
• worked with senior leadership to craft and disseminate internal news and messaging to national and divisional staff

Editor

• copyedited, proofread and substantially edited cancer information (print & web)
• promoted the use of plain language principles in Society publications and launched the first-ever CCS Writing Manual workshop series for national staff

> National Cancer Institute of Canada (@ Canadian Cancer Society National Office)

(December 2002–July 2008)

Acting Senior Communications Manager

• played a leadership role in the implementation of communications and marketing                                    strategies for promoting Canadian Cancer Society-funded research
• directly supervised the Communications Officer and Coordinator, Special Projects

Senior Writer & Communications Specialist

• researched and wrote engaging, custom cancer research stories for 10 provincial Canadian Cancer Society offices
• wrote and produced the annual Terry Fox Foundation research magazine, and edited more than 250 scientific progress reports per year for style and readability

Communications Officer

• successfully promoted cancer research by developing engaging material for media releases, advertising supplements, fact sheets, websites and annual reports
• fielded dozens of information requests per day from staff, media and the general public regarding cancer and cancer research in Canada

> The University of Western Ontario 

(September 2000–August 2002) 

Media Relations Coordinator

• increased positive news coverage by writing and pitching media releases, organizing media conferences, fielding media and public inquiries, preparing communications plans, writing speeches and promoting Western as a source of expertise for journalists
• managed Western’s media web page and media contact lists

> University of Calgary

(May–September 2000)

Communications Intern

• promoted University research by writing stories for the weekly staff and faculty Calgary                     paper, The Gazette, and assisted with media relations

> The Calgary Herald

(May–August 1999)

Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Media Fellow

• increased local coverage of science and medical news in the Calgary Herald by              researching and writing daily science and medical stories                           

> Kananaskis Field Station

(May–September 1998)

Forestry Interpreter

• led tours about the WWII P.O.W. Camp historically located at the field station and                  developed engaging pamphlets and trail signage about local flora and fauna

***

Education and professional development

Copyediting 1; Plain Language Writing & Editing; Eight-Step Editing (Editors’ Association of Canada)

Mini-Med School & Mini-Law School (University of Toronto)

Medicine in the Media (US National Institutes of Health)

Communicating University Research (Georgetown University)

Bachelor of Science, Honours, Environmental Science (University of Calgary)