Meike Schmidt

Senior Communications Leader | Reputation, Executive & Sustainability | Global–Local Narrative & Stakeholder Alignment | Crisis & Change

Montreux, Vaud, Switzerland

About

I’m a senior corporate communications leader with 15+ years of experience shaping reputation, executive communications and sustainability narratives in complex environments. Throughout my career at Nestlé, both at Group and market level, I’ve worked at the intersection of business strategy, stakeholder expectations and real-time issues—translating complex realities into clear, credible narratives that resonate across cultures and audiences. In my current role at Nestlé Waters Switzerland, I lead Corporate Coms & Sustainability, working closely with commercial teams on everything from crisis communication to sustainability activation, and ensuring alignment across functions and markets. As part of the leadership team, I lead cross-functional initiatives and contribute to driving clarity and alignment in complex situations.

Experience

  • Head of Corporate Communication and Sustainability at Nestlé Waters
    Jul 2017 - Present · 9 yrs 1 mo

    Member of the Senior Leadership Team of Nestlé Waters Switzerland - Define and execute a business‑aligned corporate communications strategy across internal, external and stakeholder audiences. - Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership in both proactive positioning and high‑stakes situations. - Drive corporate narrative, translating business strategy into clear communication across diverse audiences. - Partner closely with commercial teams, supporting market-facing communication, from crisis response to sustainability activation. - Manage media and stakeholder relations, including proactive engagement, events and executive visibility. - Lead reputation, issues and crisis management, including preparedness. - Embed sustainability into corporate and stakeholder communications.

  • Corporate Spokesperson at Nestlé
    Nov 2012 - Jun 2017 · 4 yrs 8 mos

    - Corporate spokesperson at Group level, handling media inquiries on high‑profile business topics. - Advised and prepared senior executives for high‑stakes situations, including media engagements. - Managed global media relations and supported executive communications. - Partnered with markets worldwide to support leadership positioning, company‑wide initiatives and crisis situations. - Shaped clear narratives on sensitive issues across markets and stakeholders.

  • Communications Manager at Herzog & de Meuron
    Jan 2010 - Oct 2012 · 2 yrs 10 mos

    - Developed crisis and launch communication strategies for high‑profile architecture projects (e.g. Elbphilharmonie). - Managed media relations with international and specialised outlets, including support for CEO interviews. - Translated complex architectural projects into clear, consistent narratives.

  • Project assistant: Marketing, International PR & Partnerships at Vitra
    Aug 2008 - Dec 2009 · 1 yr 5 mos

    - Conducted international client survey on the use of marketing tools (brochures etc.). Analysed insights to support communication and marketing activities. - Responded to media enquiries

  • Intern - Forced Labour Project at International Labour Organization
    Jan 2008 - Apr 2008 · 4 mos

    - Supported the regional Forced Labour project through research, stakeholder meetings and report drafting. - Established a regional press review on forced labour topics.