Erin MacDonald
Meet our team
Erin MacDonald, Senior Communications Officer, Sydney, Nova Scotia
Building connections is second nature to Erin MacDonald. The Cape Breton native has circumnavigated the world by tall ship – 24 countries and 28,000 nautical miles – and was once certified for specialized firefighting and helicopter rescue training, life-saving skills that have proven useful time and again.
Erin’s interest in public relations was born from an incident on a tall ship, which introduced the sailor to crisis communications. In 2013, Erin, who received her Master's in Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University, joined the communications team at Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation. A year later she joined ACOA, where she is now a Senior Communications Officer.
“Communications is central to the work ACOA does,” says Erin. “We have an obligation to inform Canadians about what is happening in Atlantic Canada. Our contributions support the growth and expansion of our regional economy.”
Also inherent in Erin’s role: celebrating success. “Some of the most gratifying moments in my job include the privilege of attending in-person events and funding announcements. I hear first-hand the impact federal funding has had for our clients and their organizations. That connection to the community is important to me.”
Erin’s work is varied. Recently she played a key role in the development of communications products and strategies with Indigenous businesses. “There are very specific challenges faced by Indigenous businesses. Even when there are projects outside ACOA’s mandate, we can help to make connections and help businesses move forward.
“Working at ACOA has only reinforced how special a place Atlantic Canada is, and how modest, brilliant and kind its people are,” she adds. However, there is one misconception Erin would like to correct. “My parents think I work directly for the prime minister as a personal advisor, and there is no telling them any different.”