Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.”
~ Charles Mingus (1922-1979) Jazz Musician
Acappella Communications Inc. is Elizabeth MacDonald – writer, strategist and communicator – and making the complicated simple is what she does. And does well.
With more than 25 years of blue-chip experience in communications and public relations, both across Canada and abroad, Elizabeth brings a range of experience and depth of knowledge to her consulting practice.
After a first career as a political staffer to provincial and federal cabinet ministers, Elizabeth moved to the private sector as a communications manager with several of Canada’s leading corporations in both the petroleum and financial services sectors. While living in Germany from ’03 to ’07, Elizabeth worked with the Canadian Forces community in several capacities, including as director, Remote Personnel Family Services for Europe. (You can read Elizabeth’s full biography on her LinkedIn page.)
As a “professional generalist,” Elizabeth specializes in learning new subject matter quickly – and then making it sing. And through Acappella Communications Inc., she gets to do what she enjoys most: helping dynamic, forward-thinking clients tell their stories clearly and persuasively.
Since 2007, Elizabeth has focused her consulting practice in two areas:
- Major writing projects, both print and online, and
- Strategic communications and stakeholder engagement plan design for business, university and not-for-profit clients.
She’s also taught writing, business communications and management at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Seneca College (for the Canadian Forces) in Niederheid, Germany.
While writer and editor for the IABC Belgium website, Elizabeth was part of a team that won two IABC Chapter Management Awards – two years in a row – for Website of the Year and Website That Best Supports the IABC Brand.
Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Francis Xavier University, a Master of Public Administration degree from Queen’s University, a Diploma in Marketing and International Business from Saint Mary’s University, and a Certificate in Adult Education – Staff Training & Development from Seneca College. She is also a member of the International Association of Business Communicators, the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Editors’ Association of Canada.
An active community volunteer and board member for many years, Elizabeth currently serves on the Salvation Army Advisory Board for Halifax, where she chairs the fundraising committee.
When not working, Elizabeth is usually dancing – or teaching others to dance. You can find out more about that side of her life at Scaip na Cleiti and Re-Jigged Festival.