Testimonials
A selection of endorsements from supervisors, colleagues and collaborators across United Nations, non-governmental, intergovernmental, academic and media contexts, highlighting professional contributions in communications, reporting and successful project and programme delivery.
Catholic Relief Services – Moldova
“Working with Alanna has been one of the best experiences I have had working with a communications consultant. She understands and appreciates what we do and has done a wonderful job capturing our development stories in Moldova. I very much hope to work with Alanna again!”
—Ludmila Ungureanu, Program Manager, Catholic Relief Services, Chisinau, Moldova
“Working with Alanna has been one of the best experiences I have had working with a communications consultant. She understands and appreciates what we do and has done a wonderful job capturing our development stories in Moldova. I very much hope to work with Alanna again!”
—Ludmila Ungureanu, Program Manager, Catholic Relief Services, Chisinau, Moldova
ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force – Post-Cyclone Nargis
“Alanna is a very committed, passionate, hard worker and results-oriented professional.”
—Dr. William Sabandar, Special Envoy of Secretary-General of Association of Southeast Asian Nations for post-Nargis Recovery, Jakarta, Indonesia
“We are happy with the books (documenting the response by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to Cyclone Nargis). We had a very good response from the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Dr. Surin Pitsuwan and conference participants [when the books were officially launched]. We could have not done it without Alanna. It was because of her editorial touch … that we had presentable books.”
—Adelina Kamal, former Head, ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force for the Victims of Cyclone Nargis Coordinating Office in Myanmar
“Alanna is a very committed, passionate, hard worker and results-oriented professional.”
—Dr. William Sabandar, Special Envoy of Secretary-General of Association of Southeast Asian Nations for post-Nargis Recovery, Jakarta, Indonesia
“We are happy with the books (documenting the response by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to Cyclone Nargis). We had a very good response from the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Dr. Surin Pitsuwan and conference participants [when the books were officially launched]. We could have not done it without Alanna. It was because of her editorial touch … that we had presentable books.”
—Adelina Kamal, former Head, ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force for the Victims of Cyclone Nargis Coordinating Office in Myanmar
Economics Today Magazine – Cambodia
“Our staff is entirely Cambodian, and Alanna was the only native English-speaking person at the magazine. During the 10 months that Alanna worked with us, the quality of our magazine greatly improved, not only thanks to her editing skills but also her journalistic ethics and sense of teamwork. She coached our reporters in writing structure, source verification, analytical framing and ethical reporting practices. She also contributed to the layout process and was resilient in completing editing and proofreading by printing deadlines. I am confident she would be a great asset for any team where collaboration and experience-sharing are valued.”
—Natacha Kim, Editor-in-Chief, Economics Today, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
“Our staff is entirely Cambodian, and Alanna was the only native English-speaking person at the magazine. During the 10 months that Alanna worked with us, the quality of our magazine greatly improved, not only thanks to her editing skills but also her journalistic ethics and sense of teamwork. She coached our reporters in writing structure, source verification, analytical framing and ethical reporting practices. She also contributed to the layout process and was resilient in completing editing and proofreading by printing deadlines. I am confident she would be a great asset for any team where collaboration and experience-sharing are valued.”
—Natacha Kim, Editor-in-Chief, Economics Today, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Black Press Vancouver Island – Canada
“For 10 years, Alanna was an extremely valued employee of Island Publishers. She progressed from reporter to editor, demonstrating strong leadership and mentoring skills and consistently achieved high editorial standards. She is conscientious, hard-working and creative. She has strong leadership skills and is a 'doer' , someone who can be relied upon to complete the task.”
—Jim Tighe, Former President, Black Press Vancouver Island, Victoria, Canada
“For 10 years, Alanna was an extremely valued employee of Island Publishers. She progressed from reporter to editor, demonstrating strong leadership and mentoring skills and consistently achieved high editorial standards. She is conscientious, hard-working and creative. She has strong leadership skills and is a 'doer' , someone who can be relied upon to complete the task.”
—Jim Tighe, Former President, Black Press Vancouver Island, Victoria, Canada
Royal Roads University – Canada
"I was Alanna's instructor for her master's level course in organizational communication and cultural development. In every assignment, her work was flawless, exceeding the learning criteria set out, including research, writing and composition, presentation and applied knowledge skills. Her final project entailed a research-based, theoretically-informed communication strategy for an international organization struggling with values conflicts arising from cultural differences. She deftly parlayed her brilliant analysis of the situation into a strengths-based communication strategy for cultural development, complete with objectives, key messages, timelines and metrics, all grounded in her analysis of expressions of organizational culture and a realistic strategic goal. Always prompt, supportive of others and insightful in all of her contributions, Alanna can be depended on as a highly ethical, creative self-starter and humble leader with an acumen for helping organizations thrive."
—Dr. Virginia McKendry, retired Associate Professor, School of Communication and Culture, Royal Roads University, Victoria, Canada
“From an academic perspective, Alanna demonstrated enthusiasm, autonomy and intellectual curiosity, producing insightful research papers and class presentations. She is a dedicated learner with outstanding writing and critical thinking skills, consistently delivering insightful and well-structured academic work.”
—Dr. Alejandro Palacios, Associate Faculty Member, Royal Roads University, Victoria, Canada
“Alanna quickly established herself as one of our most outstanding learners. Her academic work shows foresight, leadership and a keen understanding of human security and peacebuilding issues.”
—Dr. Paz Buttedahl, Former Program Director, MA Human Security & Peacebuilding, Royal Roads University, Victoria, Canada
"I was Alanna's instructor for her master's level course in organizational communication and cultural development. In every assignment, her work was flawless, exceeding the learning criteria set out, including research, writing and composition, presentation and applied knowledge skills. Her final project entailed a research-based, theoretically-informed communication strategy for an international organization struggling with values conflicts arising from cultural differences. She deftly parlayed her brilliant analysis of the situation into a strengths-based communication strategy for cultural development, complete with objectives, key messages, timelines and metrics, all grounded in her analysis of expressions of organizational culture and a realistic strategic goal. Always prompt, supportive of others and insightful in all of her contributions, Alanna can be depended on as a highly ethical, creative self-starter and humble leader with an acumen for helping organizations thrive."
—Dr. Virginia McKendry, retired Associate Professor, School of Communication and Culture, Royal Roads University, Victoria, Canada
“From an academic perspective, Alanna demonstrated enthusiasm, autonomy and intellectual curiosity, producing insightful research papers and class presentations. She is a dedicated learner with outstanding writing and critical thinking skills, consistently delivering insightful and well-structured academic work.”
—Dr. Alejandro Palacios, Associate Faculty Member, Royal Roads University, Victoria, Canada
“Alanna quickly established herself as one of our most outstanding learners. Her academic work shows foresight, leadership and a keen understanding of human security and peacebuilding issues.”
—Dr. Paz Buttedahl, Former Program Director, MA Human Security & Peacebuilding, Royal Roads University, Victoria, Canada
UNOPS Afghanistan – Operational Excellence & Leadership
“Alanna provided outstanding leadership within the PMO, ensuring project documentation, reporting, and workflow processes were consistently accurate and aligned with contractual and governance standards. Her ability to coordinate multiple projects and provide guidance to project managers enhanced overall portfolio performance.”
“She demonstrated a strong commitment to delivering results, setting the standard for reporting across the operational hub by proactively addressing risks and streamlining reporting processes. Alanna’s structured approach and attention to detail significantly strengthened donor visibility and project oversight.”
“Alanna effectively mentored staff, as needed, and supported project teams, fostering professional development and ensuring high standards of reporting and communications. Her guidance contributed directly to the PMO’s ability to meet strategic objectives under demanding conditions.”
—Paul Cruickshank, Head of Programmes, UNOPS Afghanistan (later Director / Representative, UNOPS Afghanistan)
“Alanna provided outstanding leadership within the PMO, ensuring project documentation, reporting, and workflow processes were consistently accurate and aligned with contractual and governance standards. Her ability to coordinate multiple projects and provide guidance to project managers enhanced overall portfolio performance.”
“She demonstrated a strong commitment to delivering results, setting the standard for reporting across the operational hub by proactively addressing risks and streamlining reporting processes. Alanna’s structured approach and attention to detail significantly strengthened donor visibility and project oversight.”
“Alanna effectively mentored staff, as needed, and supported project teams, fostering professional development and ensuring high standards of reporting and communications. Her guidance contributed directly to the PMO’s ability to meet strategic objectives under demanding conditions.”
—Paul Cruickshank, Head of Programmes, UNOPS Afghanistan (later Director / Representative, UNOPS Afghanistan)