Kim also contributes to the Foundation’s leadership group, helping shape internal strategy and team development. She is deeply committed to advancing the administrative profession through mentorship, visibility, and professional development. Since earning her CAP credential through the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), Kim has focused on empowering others to recognize their value and pursue meaningful growth in their administrative careers.

From coordinating global executive travel and board meetings to managing company-wide events and high-stakes projects, Lisa thrives where detail and diplomacy meet. Her experience spans industry leaders such as Raytheon Technologies, Camber Corporation, and Computer World Systems Corporation, where she has been the trusted right hand to senior executives and project teams

Hannah's career includes supporting the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, where she coordinated with officials across the Department of Defense, Congress, and the White House. She has also served as Executive Assistant to CEOs in the maritime strategy and aerospace sectors, and provided critical support to the Director of Congressional Affairs at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

It is about structuring information, clarifying priorities, so that sound decisions can emerge. Executive capacity is finite and protecting it is operational discipline.

Shireen's background in dance and teaching shaped an instinct for timing and structure. Pressure reveals whether there is form underneath. Business is no different.

Administrative roles are often described as support. In reality they contain project management, risk awareness and quiet decision shaping. Making that structure visible, particularly for other assistants, has become a parallel interest in her short course, The Project Admin. 

Curious about organizational design, movement and how AI will alter knowledge work. Preferring plain language over performance.

Serious about the work, chilled about the rest.

Her career spans roles in marketing, administration, and executive coordination, culminating in her long-standing tenure at Grant Thornton, where she plays a pivotal role in supporting senior leadership and driving operational excellence. Connie’s dedication to continuous learning is reflected in her completion of a Mini MBA through the Australian Institute of Management, alongside certifications in holistic counselling and leadership development.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Connie serves as the Queensland Division President of the Australian Institute of Office Professionals (AIOP). In this capacity, she champions the recognition and advancement of office professionals, fostering community, collaboration, and professional growth across the sector. Her leadership has been instrumental in the successful relaunch of AIOP Queensland, where she has curated engaging events and built strong partnerships with sponsors and stakeholders.

Connie’s commitment to excellence was nationally recognised when she received the 2023 Executive Excellence Award from the Australian Assembly of Administrators. Her ability to lead with empathy, organize with precision, and inspire with authenticity makes her a standout figure in both the corporate and professional development spheres.

Elizabeth is a trailblazing Executive Assistant with 15+ years of international experience, supporting leaders in corporations and startups. Graduate of five universities, advocate for modern EA practices.

Connect with Lisa via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaolsen-professionaldevelopment/

Mia's commitment to professional growth is unwavering. She not only fulfills her immediate responsibilities but also serves on the Certification committee of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). As the Chair of EA Ignite, she fosters professional growth and connection within the administrative community, inspiring others to reach their full potential. 

As the Manager of Executive and Administration, Mia emphasizes the importance of efficiency, open communication, and collaboration. She actively cultivates an inclusive culture where every team member's voice is heard and valued, contributing to the organization's success.

Executive Assistant & Travel Logistics Planner to the Office of the CEO at Intel Corporation. 

Certified in Hypnotherapy and Rapid Transformational Therapy RTT®.

Monica has been with Intel for 20years, currently based in the Santa Clara, California corporate headquarters. In the current role Monica does all travel logistics for the CEO, supports and covers the Executive Assistant to the CEO, partners closely with security and along with the strategy program manager. Monica is also known as the briefing hunter. 

Among the admin community Monica is the go-to person for travel and a resource guide for the headquarter offices. Monica prides herself in wearing multiple hats while maintaining flexibility in her role per the needs of the office to ensure the office runs smoothly and everyone is well taken care of. 

Monica has a passion for mentoring and helping others—was part of a team that was awarded the highest administrative award within the company called the Intel Admin Achievement Award in 2015 for her contribution in creating an onboarding document for new hires called “What Admins Want you to Know”. Also, received another Intel Admin Achievement Award for her contribution to Between The Lines sub team which is an Intel admin worldwide publication from admin to admins. Outside of Intel Monica has volunteered at the San Jose Works program hosted by the Mayor’s office mentoring high school students on career path, career exploration, growth mindset, overcoming challenges and building relationships. Last year while working in her current role Monica became a certified hypnotherapist in Rapid Transformational Therapy. Monica offers presentations at Intel on the Rules of the Mind to create awareness on how the brain functions to become conscious of our beliefs, state of mind to hack the brain and shift the mindset. In her free time, Monica enjoys exercising, listening to music, cooking, traveling to Oregon to spend time with her daughter and grandchildren, as well to Mexico to visit her family.

Her leadership style is deeply people-focused and partnership-oriented, combining her expertise in executive support, organizational strategy, and coaching to foster successful collaborations between executives and their administrative teams. Her insights have made her a sought-after speaker and thought leader. In 2021, she was honored with the Admin Awards Leadership Award, a testament to her influence and contributions to the profession.

Tara’s passion for elevating the role of administrative professionals is evident in her work, her writing, and her speaking engagements, where she inspires others to unlock their full potential and drive organizational success.

Welcome Tara and thank you for joining us!

She has a colorful background and has been a teacher, cruise ship officer and travel consultant in addition to being an amazing admin professional. Her diverse background and experience includes managing property projects and household maintenance; managing complex travel arrangements to include business and personal travel; planning events and the myriad of logistics involved; and management of household finances and business expenses. She is a fearless advocate for the admin profession, and we are very excited to have her sit down and talk with us. 

Our guest today began her administrative career more than 20 years ago, specifically in the field of finance, hedge funds, mutual funds, REIT, private equity, and asset management. We are very excited to have Valerie Walker with us today and can’t wait for you to meet her.

Prior to joining Honeywell, Kara served several years as an Executive Assistant to the Founder and President of a facilities business and then as Chief of Staff to drive  the company’s Strategic Plan.

In her 20+ years as a C-suite Executive Assistant, Kara knows what it means to be a trusted business partner and being laser focused on the success of her Executives and teams.  Her experience has spanned many industries, including corporate, real estate, legal and non-profit.

As Kara is firmly passionate that collaboration over competition is crucial for Executive Assistants’ success. she offers and enjoys 1:1 coaching for the next generation of Executive Assistants to empower them as confident leaders in their role.

Kara resides in the “Queen City” of Charlotte, NC and is a doting dog mom to Ollie, her precious Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who has more Instagram followers than she does!

Connect with Kara via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/karatanenbaum/

Prior to her current role, LaSharen demonstrated her adeptness at managing executive support functions at Deloitte, where she provided strategic assistance to senior executives and facilitated smooth operational workflows. Her previous roles at Deloitte LLC, Harris Teeter and Project Still I Rise, Inc. further showcase her versatility and ability to thrive in dynamic environments.

LaSharen’s technical proficiency spans MS Office, G-Suite, Concur Expense applications and various communication platforms, including Zoom and WebEX. She is skilled in handling confidential information with discretion and managing office services and supplies efficiently. 

In addition to her professional accomplishments, LaSharen is actively involved in community service, serving as an Executive Board Member for Homestretch, Inc., participating in Amazon’s community outreach initiatives such as using her skills and creativity to teach a summer STEM camp in conjunction with B.A.S.I.C.S International in Accra, Ghana; DC Capitol Pride Parade; Feed the World; Trees for Heroes - USO Mid-Atlantic and various other community give back initiatives. Her dedication to both her professional role and community involvement highlights her commitment to excellence and service.

In her personal life LaSharen enjoys working peacefully in her garden, creating tasty meals for friends and family and satisfying her inner Anthropologist by frolicking around the world experiencing new cultures through food and dance.

Senior EA to Shailaja Shankar, SVP Engineering

Cisco Security Business Group

Kim Woellecke is the senior executive assistant supporting the SVP of Engineering for Cisco's Security Business Group, Shailaja Shankar. With 30 years of experience as an administrative professional, Kim has acquired a strong reputation for her exceptional organization skills, ability to manage complex schedules, and proactive approach to problem-solving. Throughout her career, she has supported C-level executives in fast-paced corporate environments. 

Kim's expertise is grounded in her ability to build a strong partnership with her executive and her understanding of the business in which she supports. Known for her professional and friendly demeanor, Kim has built strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization. She is committed to providing high-level support and ensuring smooth business operations.  Kim believes it is important to share the knowledge she has gained during her career.  She does this by providing leadership and mentoring to the administrative team in her organization and participating in training opportunities for the broader administrative community at Cisco.

Outside of working hours, Deborah embodies the values of being bold, kind connectors through her role as Founder of Administrative Professionals/Vendors Networking (APVN), which connects vendors and administrative professionals in the community. Above all else, Deborah is a proud mother.

Ta’ice began her Executive Assistant career in hospitality working for such companies as Choice Hotels, MGM Resorts, Hilton Worldwide and Marriott. She was then recruited out into the tech space and was able to work at AWS, Splunk, and Microsoft. Now Ta’ice has ventured into the sports arena at the highest levels supporting the NFL’s President of the Washington Commanders.

She has a passion for mentoring and administrative collaboration with a specialty in salary negotiations within the field. In short, she like many in our field, strive to make the impossible possible.

In our first episode, we sit down with Peggy Grande, the former executive assistant to Ronald Regan 1989-1999. She is an international keynote speaker, television and radio commentator, and a published opinion writer.

The Admin Spotlight: Behind the Front Desk is sponsored by VAST.  VAST is today’s executive assistant’s choice for productivity software, giving the EA the ability to supercharge their communication and workflow.

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