Heather Wallace
Mentone,Victoria
Summary
Senior communications, stakeholder engagement, and fundraising professional with experience across the UK, Australia and Asia. Proven success in leading strategic communications, media liaison, stakeholder management, and delivering high-impact campaigns that promote organisation reputation. Skilled in advising executive leadership, developing messaging and producing accessible content across digital and traditional platforms.
Overview
2017
2017
years of professional experience
Work History
Partnerships & Communications Manager
Association for Children with Disability (ACD)
Melbourne, VIC
2017 - 2025
- Led development and implementation of external communications strategy, promoting the organisation to government, philanthropic and community stakeholders
- Provided strategic communications advice to CEO and leadership team on disability policy, NDIS reforms, and sector positioning
- Acted as media liaison, drafting media responses and briefing materials for the CEO
- Directed multi-channel campaigns, publications, and digital content to support systemic advocacy and stakeholder engagement
- Oversaw internal communications and intranet content for staff and volunteers
- Managed a high-performing team across marketing, events, digital media and volunteer coordination
- Rebuilt the website to meet accessibility and multilingual standards - tripling monthly traffic
- Developed and executed a digital media strategy that grew Facebook followers from 1,000 to 12,000 over six years
- Produced high-quality content for reports, government funding submissions, presentations, media releases and social media
- Delivered bi-monthly board reports and annual presentations
- Managed communications for high-profile events, including those involving government and sector leaders
Fundraising Manager
St Kilda Mums Inc
Melbourne, VIC
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Identified and secured grant funding to sustain programs
- Designed and delivered digital fundraising campaigns to support program sustainability and growth
- Identified and secured philanthropic grant funding, raising over $400K in a year
- Developed donor journey maps and engagement strategies to deepen stakeholder relationships
- Provide line management for the Corporate Partnerships Manager
Fundraising Manager
St John Ambulance Victoria
Melbourne, VIC
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Led direct mail campaigns and donor acquisition programs, raising over $200K in a year
- Conducted donor profiling and data analysis to diversify income streams
- Developed and implemented regular giving and legacy programs, achieving 30% conversion to monthly giving in first six months
- Reported on fundraising performance and budgets to senior executive team
- Collaborated with internal stakeholders to identify funding priorities and prepare compelling grant applications
Business Development & Marketing Manager
Kwik Kopy
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Developed and executed marketing strategies to enhance brand visibility and drive sales, gaining business from clients including Miele and Priceline Pharmacy
- Conducted competitor analysis and identified 35 new business opportunities
- Coordinated promotional campaigns and client engagement initiatives to support the sales team
Fundraising Manager
Alfred Health
Melbourne, VIC
01.2009 - 01.2013
- Formalised fundraising processes and built long-term donor relationships
- Secured major gifts and capital support from high-net-worth individuals and corporate sponsors
- Led community fundraising campaigns and events, raising over $250,000 in the first year
- Built relationships with local media to secure coverage of events and appeals
- Collaborated with senior staff to translate complex medical needs into compelling content for funding applications
- Managed donor database and campaign budgets
Freelance Public Relations Consultant
Nanjing, China
01.1999 - 01.2002
- Delivered PR strategies for clients including Sheraton and Jinling Hotels
- Built relationships with expatriate and local stakeholders to support brand positioning
- Produced marketing collateral and coordinated executive engagement and events
Public Relations Manager
British American Tobacco, UK
, New South Wales
01.1994 - 01.1997
- Oversaw global corporate communications across 52 markets with diverse regulatory and cultural contexts
- Ensured corporate brand consistency and stakeholder alignment across international campaigns
- Co-led crisis communications and media training for senior executives
- Produced content for newsletters, reports, and global initiatives
Education
Post-Graduate Diploma - International Public Relations
West Herts College
UKBA (Hons) - English
University of Essex
UKDiploma - Print Technology
British Printing Federation
UKSkills
- Strategic communications & media liaison
- Stakeholder engagement
- Leadership & team management
- Digital media & content strategy
- Team leadership & capacity building
- Brand & reputation management
- Project & event management
- Data analysis & performance reporting
- CRM, CMS, web content & accessibility
- CRM, CMS & campaign platforms
- Data analysis, reporting & performance monitoring
Timeline
Fundraising Manager
St Kilda Mums Inc
01.2016 - 01.2017
Fundraising Manager
St John Ambulance Victoria
01.2014 - 01.2016
Business Development & Marketing Manager
Kwik Kopy
01.2013 - 01.2014
Fundraising Manager
Alfred Health
01.2009 - 01.2013
Freelance Public Relations Consultant
Nanjing, China
01.1999 - 01.2002
Public Relations Manager
British American Tobacco, UK
01.1994 - 01.1997
Diploma - Print Technology
British Printing Federation
Partnerships & Communications Manager
Association for Children with Disability (ACD)
2017 - 2025
Post-Graduate Diploma - International Public Relations
West Herts College
BA (Hons) - English
University of Essex
Awards
Most Innovative Volunteer Program
Volunteering Victoria 2024