Melissa MacKinnon

Biography

Melissa has a background in communications and community development. She was Associate Deputy Minister of Communications Nova Scotia and held communications roles in several departments, including the Department of Health and Wellness, Department of Finance and Treasury Board and Executive Council Office. She was also Director of Communications and Community Relations for the Halifax 2011 Canada Games.

Melissa is a community volunteer and coaches sports. She’s also served as a board member for a number of community organizations, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Halifax and the Canada Games Centre.

She has a Bachelor of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University and a Master of Adult Education (Community Development) from St Francis Xavier University.

Current role

Deputy Minister, Department of Community Services

The deputy minister is responsible for a wide range of social services that are delivered directly by the department or by organizations receiving funding from the department.

Responsibilities Include:

• carrying out government policies
• implementing decisions made by the minister and the Executive Council
• providing advice and information to help the minister make decisions
• securing the necessary resources to enable the department to carry out its mandate
• overseeing all aspects of the administration of the department

Previous roles

• Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
• Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage
• Associate Deputy Minister, Communications Nova Scotia
• Managing Director, Corporate Communications, Communications Nova Scotia
• Director, Communications and Community Relations, Halifax 2011 Canada Games