Meet the Ambassadors
Juliet Green
I have over 17 years’ experience of working in internal comms and passionately believe that IC plays a critical role in building trust, enhancing employee experience, supporting culture change and deepening engagement. I’m an Institute of Internal Communications (IoIC) mentor helping internal communicators to flourish and grow their careers and an IoIC Ambassador helping to promote Internal Communications as a career because it’s not always a career that comes to mind when thinking about where to start in the world of work and we need more fabulously talented people joining our profession!
Melanie Hinds
A 25 year career in professional communications with 14 of these dedicated to internal communications. I have helped organisations to achieve their strategic objectives and include the role of internal communications as a critical part of their business success.
Internal communications advice and strategic delivery can work across all business areas, helping employees to understand their organisation and feel better connected to it. It can work two-way, in that it can also support employees to be positive advocates and influencers, to enrich organisational culture and the employer brand.
Within a team, internal communications professionals can diversify and nurture specific skills around technology, audio-visual media, best practice copy delivery, strategic planning, project management, accessibility, event management and more.
Having our key stakeholder group (employees) right alongside us allows us to easily collaborate, question, test and measure our work, so that it can be as efficient and effective as possible and continuously improves.
The range of work can be very diverse, challenging but also rewarding. We can support organisations through major change, including growth, restructures and rebrands; we support with learning and improvement approaches to diversity, inclusion and well-being; we support employee recognition, learning and development; and we can implement and manage a range of channels and communication touch points.
Internal communications as a career can develop many workplace and personal skills that support your ongoing work journey too, including:
- Developing clear, valuable and measurable strategy
- Planning and delivering timely, effective, collaborative and engaging work
- Expertise in accessibility, professional copywriting and editing, online content planning and delivery, online channel design and management
- Crisis response, strategy and leadership
- Strategic counsel, steering and advising others
- Well-being, diversity and inclusion knowledge
Disengaged employees can cost businesses millions of pounds in lost training, recruitment costs, sick days, creativity and innovation. As internal communications can have a direct impact on how colleagues feel about their organisation, it pays to invest in it. Join the internal communications movement and see what you can bring to the table to help make organisations even better places to work!
Gemma Woolley
I began my role in Internal Comms in 2022 and haven’t looked back. I love that you never stop learning. The world is constantly changing and there is always something new to explore. I’m proud to be an #IChooseIC ambassador and hope to help others discover this exciting industry that I am truly passionate about.
Laura Colantuono CIIC
Laura is a communications professional with over 12 years of experience gained in global organisations.
She’s Italian but has lived abroad for most of her life. Laura started her career as a journalist to then join Unilever Italy in 2010, where she discovered her passion for Internal Communications.
In 2014, she joined the luxury fashion brand Fendi to lead the global IC function and in 2019 she moved to London, where she joined Harrods as Internal Communications Manager. In 2020, she returned to the FMCG sector and joined The Kraft Heinz Company as Head of Internal Communications, International. After a short assignment at the fintech Klarna, she has recently joined the media company Fremantle, where she leads the global Internal Communications team.
Kirsty Bowen FIIC
Kirsty has 16 years’ experience leading internal communications functions and teams, and has been at Coventry Building Society since 2013. Her role spans colleague comms, engagement, diversity and inclusion, and wellbeing, alongside overseeing people policies and employee voice.
Working for a purpose-led organisation with high employee engagement may suggest there’s not much to do from a colleague experience perspective, but this isn’t true. Continuing to improve, add strategic value and develop with a small budget and within a regulated financial services environment presents interesting challenges!
Kirsty is an IoIC Fellow and Former Board Director. In addition, she regularly supports the judging of IoIC’s National Awards and is an #IChoseIC Ambassador.
Misty Oosthuizen
With over 30 years of experience in communications, people engagement, and people change management, I am dedicated to creating inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive authentically. My journey began in South Africa, where the vibrant culture and diverse communities shaped my passion for people and storytelling. This passion led me to a career in internal communications (IC), where I could combine my love for creative storytelling with strategic thinking to drive meaningful change within organisations. Throughout my career, I've led global communication initiatives at major organisations like DHL eCommerce and Santander, enhancing people engagement and fostering inclusive cultures. My approach is hands-on and practical, always putting people first and ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.
I chose internal communications because effective communication is the heartbeat of a thriving workplace. It’s not just about sharing information - it's about building authentic connections, inspiring teams, and creating a genuine sense of belonging. As an #IChoseIC Ambassador, I champion this career because it allows for creativity, innovation, and a focus on people. It's about building trust, ensuring everyone feels secure and valued at work. Through IC, I help organisations align their values and strategies with the needs and aspirations of their people, driving both engagement and business success.
Kayleigh Jackson
In the world of IC Kayleigh is still seen as a newbie with less than 10 years’ dedicated experience to comms and engagement. But what she lacks in years’ experience she makes up for with a hands-on, sleeves up approach to get to know her target audience. With expertise in Internal Communications strategy, digital solutions, culture building her passion to build relationships helps to deliver communications with purpose! Kayleigh has worked in a range of industries from the energy market, transport and insurance in both UK and global companies. Whilst it wasn’t the original career path Kayleigh thoroughly enjoys creating stories, content hunting and helping improve the overall employee experience. And does so much more than make a comms look pretty.
Cathy Lee
I worked in publishing, as a journalist on local papers and then in various press officer and head of communications roles before I moved into internal comms more than 10 years’ ago. I enjoy internal comms the most, but it wasn’t a career I knew much about before I moved into it!
Therefore, I wanted to be an #IChoseIC Ambassador, so I can share with others what this career offers. As it’s all about people, it can be fun, demanding, inspiring and frustrating in equal measure, but is never dull.
There are many routes you can follow to start out and then progress in internal comms, and I’m keen to support anyone who wants to find out more.
Kate Goodman
Kate has over 20 years’ experience working in communications. Starting out in marketing communications, Kate enjoyed a senior in-house internal communications role with the RAC for almost 9 years before deciding to explore freelance opportunities.
She’s provided in-house communications support to brands including Molson Coors (Carling, Doom Bar, et al), Inchcape, Dignity Funerals, Sopra Steria, Wolseley, and West Midlands Railway, among others, and has also worked agency side supporting household names with IC campaigns.
Kate’s strong track record has seen her win numerous awards - from recognition at the film industry’s EVCOM for video content, to a myriad of accolades at the Institute of Internal Communications for strategic and creative solutions. In addition, she has been a guest speaker and contributor to industry publications and podcasts, including the Institute of Internal Communications and Silicon Reef.
Kate is also co-author of Woman of Our Time. Released in 2023, the book is about using reflective practice to help women take small steps to take control and find their way.
Outside of work, Kate enjoys yoga, walking her dog and learning languages (her latest addition is Old English!). She’s also part way through her next book project.
Volunteering as an #IChoseIC Ambassador was a natural choice for Kate.
“So many people ‘fall into’ IC, when actually it’s a rewarding career choice in itself. By letting young people know about the roles, routes into the profession, and the career progression, we can give IC the gravitas and reputation it deserves alongside its more well-known cousins of PR and marketing communications. I’m delighted to get involved and hopefully my passion for our profession will spark inspiration in others on the cusp of making their career choices.”
Jo Bland FIIC
With a 30-year career working across a variety of communication disciplines, Jo is the proud recipient of a Comms2Point0 Lifetime Achievement Unaward, and an even prouder mum to a talented next generation communicator.
She has extensive experience in strategic organisational and transformation communications, although her passion has always been change and internal communications.
Jo has led strategic communications for a number of high profile and complex national public sector programmes and national bodies. Her career highlights include working on the internal transformation communications for the Scottish Government following devolution; establishing and leading a multidisciplinary department delivering events, public affairs, international relations, change and internal communications for NHS Digital; and leading communications for the new NHS England programme, one of the largest public sector change programmes of the last decade.
As a fellow of the Institute of Internal Communications, and member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and Accredited Practitioner, Jo is an advocate for continuous learning. With an MSc in Strategic Communications and Public Relations, her current development focus is on AI, accessibility and inclusion.
An ambassador for communications, Jo is keen to support anyone considering whether an internal communications career pathway could be for them.
Stephanie Hodgson
I’m an Internal Communications Manager at Nuclear Transport Solutions, bringing a fresh perspective to the field with three years of experience. I began my career as an apprentice, choosing a different path from the traditional university route. In September 2023, I proudly completed my Foundation Diploma with the Institute of Internal Communication
I love my role and I’m passionate about being an #IChooseIC ambassador, where I aim to inspire others to explore this often-overlooked industry. Living in Cumbria, I’ve noticed a lack of internal communication roles in the North, and I’m committed to working towards changing that.
In my personal time, I enjoy walking my cocker spaniel, Nellie, and have a keen interest in travelling.
Are you interested in becoming an #IChoseIC Ambassador?
In order to reach as many people as possible and spread the #IChoseIC message, we are always looking for volunteers.
If you're passionate about your profession and want to use that passion to encourage others to consider a career in IC why not get involved?