Natalie Tan

Communications Strategy & Planning • Managed day-to-day operations of the comms desk; set comms direction and objectives for projects and events, developed various campaigns for event publicity & spiritual growth, managed the editing and approval process of content • Implemented new social media strategies, such as focusing more on creating dynamic, high-visibility reels over static posts; developing content & style guidelines to increase message effectiveness and reach; packaging content in more audience-centric formats Content Creation • Developed several multimedia projects — created a short film that was broadcasted at the Papal Mass in Sep 2024; produced our first-ever podcast ("Well in the Word", a series on scripture); designed social media graphics, wrote/edited social media copy, captions & other content pieces, produced publicity & post-event videos, photography coverage • Produced the top performing posts on our Instagram page, achieving 380-540% higher engagement rates than average Public Speaking & Presentation • Organised and presented a communications workshop for office staff and youth leaders, which covered communication principles, as well as basic design, writing & photography skills • Presented various talks at youth retreats on topics about faith and spiritual growth Team Leadership & Personal Mentoring • Provided leadership and guidance to youth leaders in their roles to fulfil the spiritual, pastoral & logistical needs of their university community; reviewed and approved plans for community initiatives/events • Worked collaboratively with youth leaders to identify and tackle challenges/areas of need in their community • Mentored individuals for their spiritual growth and emotional wellbeing, and provided encouragement and support to help them face personal, leadership, or other life challenges • Led and organised planning committees for youth events, setting the direction & overseeing the planning/execution process

Media Relations • Organised press events for high-level meetings, visits and engagements involving senior political officials • Lead staffer on publicity for Singapore's flight delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza — crafted press release; worked closely with RSAF to coordinate strategy for the high-profile send-off; achieved extensive coverage across major local media outlets; developed social media collaterals • Lead staffer on publicity for the Foreign Minister's official visit to Laos in Jan 2024 — liaised with media on the ground to facilitate reporting, negotiated with Lao officials to secure media access, coordinated media briefings/materials • Organised doorstop/media interviews (e.g. the Foreign Minister's doorstop on his Laos visit; interviews with Palestinian, Lao officials during their study visits here) • Pitched and organised media features on Singapore's technical assistance to developing countries • Assessed & responded to media requests; worked with political desks to coordinate approach; frequently liaised with reporters Strategic Communications & Policy Work • Collaborated closely with political desks to develop & execute comms plans for high-level meetings • Spearheaded MFA's comms strategy for the parliamentary motion on the Israel-Hamas conflict in Nov 2023 — developed media plan & led team through its execution; worked closely with the ME desk to prepare press kits & engage media; crafted social media collaterals • Drafted talking points for speeches/engagements; handled letters from the public on foreign policy; worked on national education resources; assessed engagement requests from external organisations • Worked on inter-agency collaborations to enhance public messaging on foreign policy; staffed Comms Director at secretariat meetings Social Media • Introduced a new format to improve branding, which was adopted as standard practice • Produced posts with exceedingly high engagement rates; top post achieved 1300% higher engagement

• Mentored youth leaders, providing spiritual and emotional support to help them fulfil their leadership roles and face life/personal challenges • Oversaw the planning & execution of youth events • Presented talks on faith topics for university students • Supported various communications projects

• Wrote over 50 published articles for the national broadsheet, including several that made it to the weekly 10 most-read articles (e.g. the high-profile dispute between DJ Jade Rasif and the Manpower Ministry, Grab worker killed by a PMD fire in a lift) • Pitched and sourced my own leads for a number of widely-read stories (e.g. healthcare workers being shunned by service providers; what the side effects of Covid-19 vaccines indicated; the rise in mental health issues during the pandemic, etc.) • Wrote a scoop on medical students receiving early access to Covid-19 vaccines, ahead of the general population • Met tight story deadlines; responded quickly to emerging events and produced timely reports • Conducted street interviews; sourced for newsmakers; assisted reporters through extensive legwork • Guided newer interns through the news-gathering, reporting and writing process

• Wrote over 70 published food reviews, scoops and listicles, with the most popular article reaching over 1000 shares (Blind Taste Test: We Find Out Which Bubble Tea in Singapore Is Truly The Best) • Pitched article ideas and formulated fresh story angles weekly that would inform and excite readers about the latest food trends • Produced and edited hundreds of high-quality photos for food reviews and client work

Awards & Achievements: Singapore Press Holdings Gold Medal (2022) Singapore Press Holdings Book Prize (2021) Dean's List (2018-2019), (2020-2021) Nanyang Scholarship Recipient Relevant Modules Taken: Photojournalism, Online Journalism, Science and Health Reporting, Image and Sound Production, News Writing and Reporting, Print and Digital Publications, Persuasion and Social Influence, Marketing Behaviour