Daniela Benavides Reiss
Enmore,New South Wales
Summary
Daniela is a professional science communicator with more than 10 years of experience engaging a diverse range of expert and community audiences, combining an environmental science background and a passion for sharing science stories.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Science Communicator
NSW Dep Planning And Environment, Science Division
01.2022 - Current
- Developed and delivered content and campaigns for specific audiences, across multiple platforms
- Developed and reviewed communications plans to drive business objectives
- Organised and managed external and internal events to increase the profile in the division
- Systematized guidance, templates and files into shareable resources using Sharepoint sites, and supported onboarding communicators.
- Promoted to Senior Communicator in July 2023
Program Manager - Stories For Impact
Digital Storytellers LTD
12.2017 - 01.2022
- Created online education courses combining video and templates.
- Designed “Climate Storytellers”, presented at COP26 Glasgow, and “Storytelling for Strategy”, “Storytelling for Action”, “Storytelling for Conservation” presented at the IUCN World Conservation Congress
- Delivered 100+ workshops in Australia, Canada, Nigeria, and the US, to thousands of changemakers
- Wrote and acquitted grants from City of Sydney, DFAT and ING Dreamstarter
Environmental Producer
Digital Storytellers
07.2016 - 12.2017
- Directed, produced 20 films translating environmental concepts for general audiences, servicing OEH, Great Barrier Reef Foundation, IUCN, among others.
- Delivered complex film projects to dozens of clients, with careful communication at each stage of the delivery process
- Developed audience-centric stories, scripts and release plans.
- Managed risk, permits and legal responsibilities for small production teams.
Co-Chair, #NatureForAll
IUCN
01.2020 - 01.2023
- Designed and co-facilitated a collaborative process to create our 5 year strategy document involving 40 conservation professionals from every region
- Leading the creation of a member engagement and communications strategy.
Regional Vice-Chair, Education and Communication
IUCN
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Leading the creation of a member engagement and communications strategy
- Co-created the Australian membership prospectus
- Regularly engage membership through newsletters and events.
Independent Consultant
12.2015 - 06.2020
- Strategy Consulting, Media and Campaign Production
- Developed research-based films and creative communications plans for councils and environmental government bodies
- Clients: DPIE, LGNSW, NPWS, Councils www.danielabenavides.com
Director
ConCiencia
01.2010 - 01.2015
- Designed, delivered and tracked a 5-year communications strategy successful at effective change in environmental education policy.
- Managed daily operations while overseeing multiple projects on the ground, fundraising and policy work
- Involved over 100 volunteers and managed staff of 5 in environmental education projects spanning the arts, sports and science fields.
Program Specialist
Peruvian Protected Area Trust Fund
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Managed a combined 30 million US$ in Protected Area financing
- Supported the overhaul of our website, including advice on structure, written content and licensing
- Supported the creation of the first Island Network Protected Area
- Supervised & supported every marine protected areas project
- Prepared annual report for AGMs, reporting on 30 projects.
Education
Advanced Diploma - Scriptwriting, Directing And Producing
International Film School
Sydney 2017
Graduate Diploma - Environmental Communication
Duke University
Nicholas School For The Environment2016
Bachelor of Arts - Ecology And Evolutionary Biology
University of Colorado
06.2010
Skills
- Translating complex topics to plain english
- Knowledge transfer
- Workshop facilitation
- Film and photography
- Digital engagement analysis
- Project management
- Building consensus
- Establishing networks and collaboration
Certification
Australia Award
Multimedia Storytelling, Columbia University
Human-Centered Design
Storytelling for Social Change
Adaptive Leadership
Marine Protected Area Management & Planning
Coral Reef Conservation Specialist diver
Women Divers Hall of Fame
Timeline
Senior Science Communicator
NSW Dep Planning And Environment, Science Division
01.2022 - Current
Regional Vice-Chair, Education and Communication
IUCN
01.2021 - 01.2023
Co-Chair, #NatureForAll
IUCN
01.2020 - 01.2023
Program Manager - Stories For Impact
Digital Storytellers LTD
12.2017 - 01.2022
Environmental Producer
Digital Storytellers
07.2016 - 12.2017
Independent Consultant
12.2015 - 06.2020
Program Specialist
Peruvian Protected Area Trust Fund
01.2011 - 01.2013
Director
ConCiencia
01.2010 - 01.2015
Advanced Diploma - Scriptwriting, Directing And Producing
International Film School
Graduate Diploma - Environmental Communication
Duke University
Bachelor of Arts - Ecology And Evolutionary Biology
University of Colorado
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