Zalinda Zainon

Corporate Communications Strategist

CopywritingCopywriterMarketingExecutive AssistantAssistantPersonal AssistantCommunications ManagerPR Manager

With over three decades of experience, I have built a dynamic career that spans journalism, public relations, corporate communications, stakeholder engagement, and digital transformation. I began my professional journey as a journalist with the New Straits Times, where I developed a strong foundation in storytelling, editorial judgement, and navigating complex narratives with clarity and impact. Throughout the years, I’ve taken on leadership roles in strategic communications and public affairs, supporting organisations such as MDEC, Intel Malaysia, and Skymind Global. My work has involved managing national media relations, issues and crisis communications, and designing campaigns that position organisations as thought leaders in their space. I have a proven ability to humanise complex policy and business messages, aligning them with broader public and stakeholder interests. I am also a seasoned and versatile writer. I have written speeches for Prime Ministers of Malaysia and cabinet ministers across various ministries, as well as research papers, policy documents, press releases, and op-eds. Whether it's crafting high-level strategic messaging or content that speaks to the public, I bring precision, insight, and impact to every word I write. I played an active role in driving major digital economy initiatives including MDX 2023/2024, the Smart City Conference Malaysia, and nationwide SME digital adoption programmes. My contributions have supported policy alignment, stakeholder engagement, and public outreach that bridged government, corporate, and community-level impact. I’m known for my calm and measured approach in handling crises, my clarity in communication, and my ability to deliver both strategy and execution. Whether working with C-suite executives, government stakeholders, or grassroots communities, I bring empathy, structure, and purpose to the table. I’m also a trusted advisor, mentor, and trainer, often engaged to coach teams on media engagement, brand messaging, and digital storytelling.