Virtual event
Communicating More Strategically at Work
Exclusively for public servants and policymakers
Thursday, Apr 16, 2026
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Speakers
What to do next
- Catch up on the 8-minute highlights above or dive into the full recording
- Join the Life in Government community
- Check out our upcoming event How to Win Budget Approval
Resources
- Event Transcript
- On Message Template from Nicholas Bruneau
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The Life in Government Community is a collaborative space designed for Apolitical members to connect with peers in the global public service and ask and answer questions on life in government.
Event Description
Do you ever leave a meeting thinking, “I had the right ideas, but no one seemed to notice”? Sounding strategic at work is not about using bigger words. It’s about making your logic visible and your recommendations clear and compelling.
Public servants often work across competing priorities, limited resources and tight timelines. Communication with colleagues needs to do more than just inform; it needs to drive clarity and trust. This session will help you shift from sharing updates to shaping decisions with strategic insight: defining the real problem at stake and linking your work to the outcomes leaders care about.
In this panel, you’ll learn tips from experts that help your ideas resonate with decision-makers, whether you’re writing a brief, presenting to senior leaders or influencing across teams.
Image Credit: Unsplash
Speakers
Nicholas Bruneau
Strategic Communications Consultant, UNDP
Portugal
Ann Hunter-Pirtle
Founder & Principal, AHP Strategies
US
Rishwa Shekhar
Strategic Communications and Partnerships Consultant
Switzerland
Nicholas Bruneau, a strategic communications consultant, has worked for intergovernmental agencies from the UN, World Bank, and EU, as well as nonprofits, associations, media, and political groups. He has managed digital advocacy campaigns on international development, education, sustainability, and climate change issues. His recent book, “Engage with Impact,” is a leading digital advocacy guide.
Ann Hunter-Pirtle, the Founder & Principal of AHP Strategies. She is a communications executive, nonprofit founder, and energy, environment, and K-12 education policy expert with 14 years of experience at the federal, state, and local levels. She has managed high-performing teams, communicated winning messages, and built diverse coalitions to achieve political and policy goals.
Rishwa Shekhar, a Strategic Communications and Partnerships Consultant working across public and private sectors in Europe, Africa, and Asia. She specialises in translating complex policy, data, and technical work into clear, actionable narratives for policymakers and donors, supporting decision-making, trade-offs, and resource mobilisation. Her experience spans UNHCR, UNESCO, government partners, and technology organisations. She currently works with Amini and collaborates with IOs and cross-sector partners.
