The EA Campus Podcast

In this EA Campus podcast episode, Nicky Christmas interviews Gabrielle Waxenberg, an experienced Executive Assistant who has recently transitioned to working as a fractional Assistant for multiple clients.

Key points from the episode:

1. From hospitality management to becoming an EA, she worked in various industries, such as legal, manufacturing, IT, banking, sustainability, and healthcare.
2. Time management across multiple executives and organisations, maintaining confidentiality, and navigating different personalities and dynamics.
3. Empowerment to set boundaries, choose clients and tasks, and establish a peer-to-peer relationship with executives.
4. Set boundaries early on, learn to say no when necessary, and build strong relationships with other admins for support and growth.
5.  Invaluable connections, witnessing the profession's evolution, and the ability to positively impact leaders and organisations.
6. The importance of challenging norms and providing honest feedback to executives, even when it's difficult, to help them grow and avoid potential issues.

Throughout the episode, Gabrielle shares her experiences, challenges, and lessons learned during her 12-year career as an EA. She emphasises the importance of setting boundaries, building relationships, and speaking truth to power. Her insights offer valuable advice for Assistants at all stages of their careers.

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In this episode, Becky Kaapuni shares her winding career journey spanning publishing, wine business, investment banking, tech startups, Twitter, and now Salesforce, where she supports the CEO of AI.

Some key pieces of advice and insights Becky offers:

• Be patient in building your career - you have to go through the stepping stones and start at the beginning, gaining experience over time.
• Know your worth and negotiate your compensation, even if it means being willing to walk away from an opportunity. Invest in a professionally written resume.
• For interviews, focus on showing up as your best self and demonstrating confidence. Worry about the details of the job later.
• Always maintain a beginner's mind, as every executive, company culture, and role will differ. Be ready to learn and adapt.
• Build your network and maintain connections over time. You never know when an opportunity may come back, even years later.

Becky candidly shares the triumphs and challenges of her EA career, from navigating egotistical bosses and sudden layoffs to finding executives who truly value and empower her. She emphasizes the importance of documenting issues, leveraging resources, and prioritizing one's well-being while acknowledging that immediately leaving a bad situation isn't always feasible.

While Becky admits she could lead more by example in disconnecting from work, she has found that staying on top of things helps her mental health and ability to relax. Her story illustrates the ever-changing landscape of the EA role and the resilience required to succeed in the long term.

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In this episode, Chelsea Fox shares her 15-year journey as an assistant, from starting as an event manager in Spain to her current role as an EA supporting the CEO and leadership team at a data centre startup in London.

Some key pieces of advice and insights Chelsea offers:

• Find the industry and company culture that allows you to thrive as an assistant. In a startup, being willing to roll up your sleeves and help out wherever needed is key.
• Confidence comes from having your voice heard and your opinions valued as an assistant. Chelsea appreciates that her current company seeks her input.
• Learn to say no when needed to avoid burnout, but be ready to pitch in on a wide variety of tasks, especially in a startup environment.
• Resilience and strong communication skills with your executive are critical. Have a plan A through Z, as things rarely go perfectly according to plan.
• Being bilingual (Spanish & English for Chelsea) can open up great career opportunities, especially in European companies.
• Build relationships across the organization by being friendly, remembering personal details, and, yes, bringing in treats! People are much more willing to help out a friend.

Chelsea also shares some of her favourite productivity tools, such as Microsoft To Do, OneNote, Planner, and good old-fashioned handwritten lists. Her story illustrates the importance of adaptability, relationship-building, and being proactive in making your mark as an assistant and elevating the perception of the role.

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In this episode, Catherine Wright shares her varied career journey leading up to her current role as an Executive Assistant to a CEO. She discusses the importance of understanding the business you work for, being a connector between teams, and adding value wherever possible.

Some key pieces of advice Catherine offers:

• Be meticulous about diary management - think through all the details like agenda items, travel/transition time between meetings, focus time, and your executive's well-being
• Remember that your own time management is just as important as your executive's
• Constantly keep learning and building your network
• Don't be afraid to take ownership and be assertive when needed in managing your executive's schedule
• Find ways to add value and make an impact, even with simple things like organizing social events
• Tackle your most dreaded task first thing (eat the frog) to make the rest of your day easier

Catherine also shares some of her favourite tools like OneNote, Asana, and good old-fashioned to-do lists. Her story illustrates how initiative, resilience, and a service-oriented mindset can enable an EA to become a true partner to their executive and make a difference in their organisation.

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Fatiha Zeghir shares her extensive journey as an Executive Assistant (EA), starting in Paris and transitioning through roles at major companies like Procter & Gamble, NRJ Global, SAP, News UK, Penguin Random House, Pearson, and the BBC, before her current role at Vodafone. Her experience highlights the importance of adaptability, communication, and learning from diverse roles and industries. The discussion emphasizes the EA role's significance in crisis management, especially noted during her time at the BBC during the pandemic.

A recurring theme is the challenge of being underutilized or not fully integrated into strategic discussions despite EAs' central role in executives' daily operations. Fatiha and Nicky discuss the importance of EAs establishing boundaries, learning to say "no but," and the need for better remuneration reflective of their contribution.

Fatiha expresses a preference for Gmail and Google Calendar for their synchronization capabilities. She emphasizes using cloud storage and shared documents for efficiency and easy access to the latest information. Fatiha advocates for consistent and logical document naming conventions to streamline work processes.

Sheryl Sandberg's "Lean In" is highlighted as a transformative book, offering insights on navigating a male-dominated corporate world and negotiating effectively.

Fatiha shares her interests outside of work, including her passion for writing, specifically exploring the idea of a dramedy about EAs. She also mentions her involvement with the charity Care for Calais and her love for London's cultural offerings.

The paramount advice for new assistants is learning to assertively set boundaries from the beginning of their career, emphasizing "no, but" as a strategy for managing workload and expectations.

This episode sheds light on the complexities of the EA role and the significant value EAs bring to their organizations and offers practical advice for EAs at all career stages. Fatiha's journey and insights serve as an inspiration and a guide for both seasoned and new EAs navigating their professional paths.

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In this episode of the EA Campus podcast, join Nicky as she welcomes Rebecca Greenhill, a seasoned Executive Assistant (EA) at Cobalt Search. Rebecca's unique career journey has transitioned from dance performance and teaching to retail management and finally into the realm of executive assistance. She shares the rich tapestry of experiences that have shaped her career. Her story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of passion across different stages of her life.

Discover how Rebecca's early career in retail laid a solid foundation for her skills in management, dealing with diverse personalities, and fostering resilience—skills that later became invaluable in her role as an EA. Rebecca's turning point came from an inspired moment by the film "The Devil Wears Prada," leading her to pursue a career that combines pace, challenge, and the thrill of solving daily puzzles in an office environment.

At Cobalt Search, Rebecca supports the CEO, managing a wide range of tasks, from calendar and email management to handling HR and finance tasks. She emphasises the varied and dynamic nature of her role. The episode delves into the importance of adaptability, the joy of variety in daily tasks, and the significance of building relationships within the business.

Rebecca also touches on her life outside of work, including her involvement in musical theatre and the balance between personal life and professional commitments. The discussion extends to advice for aspiring EAs, highlighting the importance of emotional intelligence, the ability to say no to prioritize effectively, and the value of continuous learning and self-improvement.

This conversation not only illuminates the evolving role of executive assistants but also offers valuable insights and advice for those navigating or aspiring to thrive in this career path.

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In this episode of the EA Campus Podcast, Nicky Christmas interviews William Richardson, an executive assistant at United Launch Alliance (ULA), where he shares insights into his career journey and the dynamic nature of his role in the aerospace industry.

William describes his accidental entry into the administrative field, starting from customer service in consumer electronics and evolving into various roles, including consulting and private equity, before landing in the aerospace industry with ULA.

As an Assistant, William likens his role to "air traffic control," focusing on managing information flow and ensuring efficient communication across teams. He highlights the challenges and rewards of working in a fast-paced and innovative environment.
William stresses the importance of seeking professional development opportunities and documenting achievements. He emphasizes asking for development resources and tracking value added to the organization.
William advocates for involvement with the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) for certification, networking, and career advancement. He mentions the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) certification and specialities in project management, event planning, and technology applications as beneficial for executive assistants.

For more information on IAAP and the certifications mentioned, visit IAAP.

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In this captivating episode of the EA Campus podcast, host Nicky Christmas sits down with Grazia Maietta for an insightful conversation about her journey as an Executive Assistant (EA) in the dynamic world of technology. Grazia, originally from Italy with a background in foreign languages, delves into her career evolution from a translator and teacher in Italy to an accomplished EA in the UK.

Working currently at Condense, a company specializing in live-streaming events into digital worlds, Grazia shares the intricacies of her role, which uniquely blends EA responsibilities with office management. She provides a fascinating glimpse into Condense’s innovative work in AR, VR, and the Metaverse, underscoring the company's unique ability to stream content from their Bristol-based Metaverse studio to various digital venues.

Grazia talks about the challenges and rewards of her position, including managing the busy schedule of Condense's CEO, Nick Fellingham, and supporting other directors and teams. Her role extends beyond administrative tasks, involving close interaction with engineers and technicians, particularly during live events.

The conversation takes a personal turn as Grazia shares her morning routine and how it prepares her for the day's challenges. She emphasizes the importance of work-life balance, enjoying outdoor lunches by Bristol's waterfront, and her passion for Latin American dances like salsa and bachata.

Nicky and Grazia discuss the importance of being proactive, adaptable, and managing expectations in the EA role, especially in a tech-driven environment like Condense. Grazia offers valuable advice for aspiring EAs, highlighting the significance of continuous learning, staying up-to-date with industry trends, and leveraging platforms like LinkedIn and Discord for professional growth.

1. Notion: An app used for managing projects, documents, and tasks. It offers features like wikis, docs, and templates for organizing work. You can download it for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. For more information, visit the Notion website.
2. Trello: A web-based tool used for tracking projects and tasks, employing a system of boards and cards to organize and prioritize work.
3. LinkedIn: A professional networking site that Grazia uses for staying updated on industry trends and connecting with other EAs and PAs.
4. Discord: Originally known for its popularity in the gaming community, Discord is also used for professional communities, including executive assistants.
5. Podcasts: Grazia mentioned listening to the "EA How To" and "Leader Assistant" podcasts, as well as podcasts published by Practically Perfect EA.
6. Books: She referred to the book "The Leader Assistant" by Jeremy Borrows.

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In this podcast episode, Emily discusses her transition from college to the hospitality industry, her progression into events planning, and her eventual move into an EA role. She emphasises the importance of organisational skills and the dynamic nature of her job, dealing with various tasks ranging from events planning to managing the CEO's schedule and communications.

Emily shares her experiences of learning on the job, the significance of mentorship, and the evolution of her role from PA to EA. Her passion for her current company, Inicio Group, shines through as she discusses the rewarding nature of her work in social care. She also delves into her personal life, highlighting her interests like running, going to the gym, and her involvement in an ABBA tribute band.

We touch on the challenges of the EA role, such as juggling conflicting priorities and learning to deal with high-pressure situations. Emily provides valuable advice for aspiring assistants, emphasising the importance of learning about their organisation, developing a thick skin, and being proactive in communication and task management.

She also advocates continuous learning and professional development, recommending resources like LinkedIn, networking opportunities, and specific training courses. Emily's story is an inspiring example of how dedication, adaptability, and a willingness to learn can lead to a successful and fulfilling career as an Executive Assistant.

• Book: The Joy of Work
• Course: The Exceptional PA by Heather Baker

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Episode 34 of the EA Campus Podcast features Laura Escalante, an Executive Assistant at Golden Software, in conversation with host Nicky Christmas. The episode delves into Laura's career journey, highlighting her pivot from a decade in operations and program management within human services to becoming an executive assistant. Laura shares her immigrant background, moving from Lima, Peru, to the US as a teenager and how this experience shaped her work ethic and career choices.

Laura discusses her transition during the pandemic, which coincided with her becoming a mother, leading her to seek a more fulfilling and sustainable career path. This search led her to establish her own business as a virtual assistant, My Virtual Edge, and eventually to her current role supporting the CEO of Golden Software. She reflects on the challenges of balancing work with motherhood and the importance of being present for her son.

Nicky and Laura also explore the skills Laura developed in her previous roles that aid her in her current position, such as quickly understanding people's needs and effective communication. They discuss the impact of technology on Laura's work, with a particular emphasis on her use of ChatGPT to enhance productivity. Laura advises listeners on building trust with executives, learning new skills, and the importance of being part of a supportive community.

The conversation covers Laura's daily routine, the transition to working remotely, and her methods for managing multiple clients in her virtual assistant business. She emphasizes the importance of consistency and reliability in building trust with executives. She concludes by reflecting on the key skills that have contributed to her success in the Assistant role.

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