Melissa Seguin Whissell
Ottawa,Canada
Summary
Administrative professional with extensive experience at Canadian Heritage, specializing in financial tracking and reporting. Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and manage high-volume environments, ensuring timely project completion. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail have facilitated successful event logistics and effective stakeholder communication. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and SAP.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Administrative / Production Assistant
Canadian Heritage
10.2013 - Current
- Managed and controlled information flow including executive correspondence, QP notes, ATIP requests, translation requests, and internal inquiries.
- Ensured all deadlines were met by tracking, following up, and prioritizing tasks.
- Interpreted departmental and central agency policies related to HR, finance, and administration and provided guidance to staff and managers.
- Coordinated contracts, prepared RFPs and Letters of Agreement, tracked deliverables, and validated invoices to ensure compliance and accountability.
- Selected cost-effective suppliers and recommended contract approvals in accordance with the FAA.
- Verified receipt of goods/services and recommended payment authorization.
- Reviewed financial reports from RMD and reconciled against internal budget tracking to maintain financial integrity.
- Prepared monthly financial forecasts for the Director.
- Led year-end closing tasks with RMD; reviewed SAP-generated financial reports.
- Managed year-end purchasing deadlines and planning.
- Prepared budget planner tool and operational plans for upcoming fiscal year.
- Developed budget distribution formulas based on historical expenses and multi-year contracts.
- Gathered and organized detailed information to support an 18-month reporting plan for Policy, Planning & Research.
- Created and maintained a parallel reporting timeline calendar to ensure accuracy and timely submissions.
- Coordinated team travel arrangements and processed travel claims.
- Analyzed cost data (repairs, purchases, expenses) for the Service Fees Act.
- Liaised with senior managers, Members of Parliament, industry representatives, and other officials regarding program requests.
Telecommunications Operator / Dispatcher
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
08.2024 - 09.2025
- Coordinated and monitored police response activities for effective incident management.
- Analyzed information and relayed critical details to responding officers.
- Handled public calls for police and emergency assistance, ensuring timely response.
- Extracted and analyzed database information to provide critical support for investigations.
Administrative Assistant (RE-03)
National Capital Commission
10.2008 - 09.2013
- Facilitated communication with MPs, diplomats, and senior officials to strengthen stakeholder relationships.
- Coordinated travel arrangements and prepared meeting materials to ensure smooth administrative operations.
- Managed correspondence, reports, executive documents, and filing systems.
- Supported senior managers and production teams in executing successful events for Capital Celebrations and Program Operations.
Artistic Production Assistant (Canada Day 2011)
National Capital Commission
04.2011 - 07.2011
- Administered artist contracts (Equity, ACTRA, NCC) while tracking payments to ensure timely compensation.
- Managed artist logistics, coordinating hotel bookings, travel arrangements, food allergies, and security clearances to facilitate smooth operations.
- Collaborated with agents, managers, and NCC finance teams to ensure seamless communication and project alignment.
- Maintained artist documentation and prepared information kits to support production staff and enhance artist experience.
- Assisted in coordinating and orienting backstage volunteers to ensure effective support during events.
- Collected and analyzed carbon footprint data for artists and suppliers.
Production Assistant
Canadian Heritage
Current
- Coordinated logistics for major events including Winterlude, State Funerals, Canada Day, and Winter Lights Across Canada to ensure smooth execution.
- Developed and maintained emergency/operations manuals with site plans, contact lists, emergency procedures, and communication structures for effective crisis management.
- Executed operational support through schedule coordination, document preparation, and stakeholder communication to facilitate project workflows.
Dispatch Operations (Event-Based)
Canadian Heritage
Current
- Recruited, trained, and supervised dispatch staff, enhancing team readiness for events.
- Managed dispatch operations including radio communications, phone lines, emails, and real-time information gathering.
- Coordinated with Unified Command Centre partners to streamline response efforts during incidents.
- Monitored eight radio frequencies concurrently, maintaining detailed incident logs to ensure accurate communication.
- Taught dispatchers how to read site plans, understand hierarchy, identify key personnel, and manage emergency communication protocols.
- Ensured the dispatch centre was fully operational, equipped, and prepared for all incident scenarios.
Education
Telecommunications Operator Training Program -
RCMP
Orleans, ON09.2025
High School Diploma -
Collège Catholique Samuel-Genest
Ottawa06.1997
Health & Safety - Working at Heights & Book 7 Traffic Control
ACTL
Project Management -
Canada School of Public Service
Emergency First Aid & CPR -
C Level
Culinary Management - incomplete
Algonquin College
Skills
- Organizational skills
- Time management
- Prioritization
- Accuracy and efficiency
- Flexibility in high-volume environments
- Judgment and discretion
- Attention to detail
- Team collaboration
- Interpersonal skills
- Communication skills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook
- SAP and Lotus Notes
- HRG shared travel services
- CCM Mercury
- Travel claims processing
- Financial tracking and reporting
- Data analysis
Security Clearance
ERS Top Secret (Level III)
Language Requirement
CCE
Languages
- French, first language
- English, fluent
Training
- Time & Stress Management
- Effective Business Writing
- SAP Software
- Shared Travel Services (HRG)
- CCM Mercury
Timeline
Production Assistant
Canadian Heritage
Current
Dispatch Operations (Event-Based)
Canadian Heritage
Current
Telecommunications Operator / Dispatcher
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
08.2024 - 09.2025
Administrative / Production Assistant
Canadian Heritage
10.2013 - Current
Artistic Production Assistant (Canada Day 2011)
National Capital Commission
04.2011 - 07.2011
Administrative Assistant (RE-03)
National Capital Commission
10.2008 - 09.2013
Telecommunications Operator Training Program -
RCMP
High School Diploma -
Collège Catholique Samuel-Genest
Health & Safety - Working at Heights & Book 7 Traffic Control
ACTL
Project Management -
Canada School of Public Service
Emergency First Aid & CPR -
C Level
Culinary Management - incomplete
Algonquin College