Socom celebrates International Women’s Day

On March 8, 2018

Socom is proud to say that our team is more than 50% women! To celebrate International Women’s Day, we want to share a little bit about the power-force that are the women of Socom! 

 

Kath Christie, Senior Consultant

With more than 10 years of experience in both public relations and issues management, Kath is an expert when it comes to crisis communication. Kath’s qualifications include  Bachelor of Journalism and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Business (Public Relations).  

Kath has worked at Socom for over 5 years and during this time she has managed crisis preparedness simulations for major Australian brands including Westfield Shopping Centers and Funlab. As a communication and issues management specialist, Kath is responsible for developing and delivering communications strategies and assisting clients plan and respond to unexpected events.  

During her time at Socom, Kath has developed communication strategies and guided issues and crisis response for clients including Veolia, Bald Wind Farms, Transpacific Cleanaway, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Banyule City Council, Darebin City Council and Casey City Council.

Before joining Socom in 2013, Kath was the Communication Manager at the Australian Retailers Association.

 

Stina Webb, Senior Consultant

Stina Webb joined Socom in 2014 after completing her Bachelor of Strategic Communication.  

Stina focuses on implementation of communication and engagement campaigns for a variety of clients. She now plays a key role in delivering Socom’s core issues and crisis management and crisis communication services including developing plans, training clients in best practice crisis response, preparing and delivering relevant and tailored crisis simulation exercises, as well as providing crisis response support to clients in crisis situations. She brings with her expertise in social media management and other online communication tools, and is an accredited crisis communication planner trained in best practice international standards for business continuity, ISO 22301.  

Since 2015, Stina has led the development of Socom’s online crisis simulation platform, SimX, which allows clients to experience the pressure of crisis situations and test their response, in a real-time and interactive cloud-based environment. When Stina is not helping clients prepare for or respond to issues and crises, she is responsible for managing the development and implementation of communication and advocacy campaigns for government and corporate clients. 

 

Zoe Forbes, Consultant

A recent graduate with a double Masters in Journalism and International Relations, Zoe currently focuses on government relations, stakeholder engagement and crisis communications. She has been part of crisis simulation exercises involving Westfield, Funlab and the Level Crossing Removal Authority. She brings with her a keen eye for detail as she works closely with the ten outer suburban councils of Melbourne, known as the Interface Councils, on a day-to-day basis as their Secretariat. She also coordinates media relations for digital marketing company, StewArt Media, on a regular basis. 

During 2016, Zoe worked as part of a small media team at UN Women Headquarters in New York City. There, she created and published daily media reports, maintained and expanded media databases, compiled weekly internal newsletters and supported media outreach. She assisted with media preparations for the Rio Olympics and United Nations General Assembly, supported the American Gender Standards for Media workshop and reported for the UN Women website. Zoe also collaborated on a special report on Wonder Woman as the United Nation’s honorary ambassador which focused on stakeholders and public sentiment. 

 

Taylor Bree, Intern

Taylor is currently in the final stages of completing a double degree with a Bachelor in Arts (Public Relations) and Commerce.

With a strong interest in crisis communication and social media, Taylor has helped to assist Socom execute advocacy campaigns for local government and support projects on an ongoing basis. Recently, Taylor has worked to help rebrand a Melbourne-based boutique recruitment firm.

After retiring as a professional ballerina in 2013, Taylor is excited to complete her studies and start her new career in mid-2018.