Welcome to my e-portfolio
Janine (Bressette) Saunders
Projects
The Longest March
Celebrating Success
During March of 2018, the people of New England endured a series of pummeling storms that disrupted the lives of millions.
For those in the energy industry, the result was an intense three weeks of storm recovery.
My assignment was to develop a commemorative booklet that would be mailed home to employees and their families showcasing our collective efforts. Following my own storm assignment, I had five business days.
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The final product, which was unique from any piece developed by this conservative energy company, was delivered to the printer on April 2 and arrived in employee homes on April 9.
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Giving Leaders Their Voice
Executive Communications
Executives hold the important responsibility of personifying their corporations. Executive speech writing requires an understanding of the person, their passion and their unique vision for the company's future.
The words and tone they use must instill confidence, show leadership, while demonstrating authenticity that keeps them within their own comfort zone. An effective speech must also connect with the audience and maintain their interest.
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An invitation to speak to young adults at their commencement is an honor. I may be in the minority, but I actually remember my college commencement speaker: Joan Benoit Samuelson. While a utility executive may not be nearly as interesting as an Olympic gold medalist, I set out to create a unique message tied to the energy industry. Since students were receiving their associates degrees in a variety of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curriculums, the theme: Life Lessons from the Energy Industry certainly worked.. T
The Best Things Come in Pairs
A News Release to Promote Corporate Giving
Drafting a news release announcing a grant provided to an avian rescue organization was a thrill for me. I am awed by all wildlife - especially birds of prey.
The company's donation would support the funding of a new bald eagle nest-cam (camera) located within a wildlife refuge. As I considered the details, I opined about the grant being presented by my organization's renewable energy team whilst building its largest U.S. wind farm in the same Oklahoma county.
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Wind farms are reputed as known hazards to large flying birds, namely bald eagles. The avian research group is renowned for restoring the state's bald eagle population since the species' near obliteration in the 1970s. When I was asked to highlight the wind farm project within the release, the elephant in the room did not escape me. No doubt, the bird-loving supporters of the research center would have a more visceral reaction.
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After research with my environmental colleagues on the renewables team, I found the angle I needed, ultimately incorporated in the news release.
Here Comes the Sun
The impact of behind-the-meter solar on New England's power system
In 2021, New England's power grid operator provided new data on its website, enabling users to view the impact of all those rooftop solar units on the region's energy demand.
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I was tasked with promoting the new information on the organization's digital channels, ensuring awareness across internal and external audiences.
I worked closely with internal subject matter experts to identify key messages, draft a digital newsletter article and corresponding social media posts. The article was then shared with employees on the company's intranet site and externally, with elected officials and regulators.
Communicating Difficult Subjects
Proposing Increases in Rates
No one likes a price increase, and explaining why one is necessary is always a challenge. It's especially difficuIt in the highly-regulated energy industry where billing statements include complex line items about as clear as alphabet soup.
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Using an active outreach strategy that includes carefully prepared messaging, approved by leadership for all stakeholders is key.
Pushing that information out in a meticulously coordinated manner is essential. That Coordination must respect the regulatory process, while ensuring the details are communicated in understandable terms. The goal is to seek customer understanding through a compelling "why."
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More materials associated with this project can be found in the "Additional Writing Samples" below.
Humanizing an Organization
There are people working here!
Let's face it, some industries are just not beloved. The real people who do the good work behind the scenes are cloaked behind the formal correspondence, legal language, acronyms, and highly technical web content. That makes it very easy for outsiders, including important stakeholders, to mischaracterize a company's efforts in favor of an alternate agenda.
Using social media to introduce employees, promote open positions, and humanize an organization that might otherwise seem like a black box. It's easy to take aim at a faceless organization. Showing audiences the talented, passionate people who bring a mission and vision to life, is a strategy worth pursuing.
Additional Writing Samples
"The two words information and communication are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through."
- Â Sydney Harris
