REACH - A Podcast for Executive Assistants

The Working Mom Advantage: How the EA to CEO of Chime Balances Career, Kids, and Success

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 07:34:17 -0700

On this episode of REACH, we’re joined by Camille Geddes, Executive Assistant to Chris Britt, CEO of Chime, one of the fastest-growing fintech companies in the U.S. Before joining Chime, Camille built an impressive career supporting executives at Forward, Square, Plaid, and ClassDojo, where she partnered with founders and CEOs through periods of rapid growth and transformation.

In this conversation, Camille shares why motherhood has made her a stronger Executive Assistant, sharpening her efficiency, decision-making, and ability to prioritize what matters most. She also opens up about the often-unspoken realities of aging in the EA profession, challenging assumptions about longevity, relevance, and career growth. Whether you're balancing work and family, navigating a demanding partnership, or thinking about the next stage of your career, this episode offers an honest look at building a successful career that's strengthened by life beyond the office.

Understanding Yourself and Your Executive Through the Working Genius Framework

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:07:33 -0700

Why do some tasks energize you while others leave you completely drained? In this episode of REACH, Jessica sits down with leadership coach, speaker, and Better Conversations podcast host Kara List to explore the Working Genius framework and how it can strengthen the EA–executive partnership.

Kara helps female founders navigate one of the toughest transitions in business: moving from building a company to leading the people inside it. Through her coaching work, she helps leaders better understand their strengths, communicate more effectively, and scale their impact through others.

Drawing on Patrick Lencioni's Working Genius model, Kara shares how understanding your natural strengths can improve collaboration, reduce friction, and create stronger working relationships. Together, Jessica and Kara discuss how EAs can better understand themselves, gain insight into the executives they support, and build more aligned, productive partnerships.

If you've ever felt out of sync with your executive or wondered why you each approach work differently, this episode is for you.

To learn more about Kara's offerings, visit her website at https://heykaralist.com/

Inside the World of JFK Jr., the Media & What It Took to Support One of America's Most Iconic Figures

Tue, 26 May 2026 07:26:37 -0700

RoseMarie Terenzio spent five years as the Chief of Staff to John F. Kennedy Jr. at George Magazine, operating at the center of one of the most highly scrutinized media and celebrity relationships of the 1990s. Working alongside both John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy during the height of public fascination surrounding the couple, RoseMarie managed the constant demands, pressure, and visibility that came with supporting an American icon.

Today, RoseMarie is a two-time New York Times bestselling author, co-author of JFK Jr: An Intimate Oral Biography, Executive Producer of I Am JFK Jr., and today she specializes in strategic communications and crisis management work for high-profile leaders and organizations. In this episode of REACH, RoseMarie shares what it was really like behind the scenes, what it means to know the person behind the icon, and how the media and PR landscape has transformed since the height of JFK Jr.'s fame.

To explore more of RoseMarie’s work, click the links below:

Fairy Tale Interrupted: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1439187681?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_6GQPE6YGD35C4986D1ZG_1&bestFormat=true

JFK Jr: An Intimate Oral Biography: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1668018527?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_VJXGGNAFD1F5YPTPY2XD_1&bestFormat=true

Mastering Time for You and Your Executive: How to Create Time Abundance with Laura Vanderkam

Mon, 04 May 2026 10:50:18 -0700

In this episode of REACH, we sit down with Laura Vanderkam, a bestselling author, speaker, and one of the most trusted voices in time management and productivity. Laura has spent years studying how high-performing professionals actually spend their time, using real time diaries to uncover the gap between perceived busyness and reality.

She is the author of several acclaimed books, including 168 Hours, and her newest release, Big Time: A Simple Path to Time Abundance, where she explores how even the busiest individuals can create more space, intention, and balance in their lives.

In this conversation, Laura shares practical strategies and mindset shifts around prioritization, productivity, and redefining what it means to “not have enough time.” For Executive Assistants and support professionals managing competing priorities at a high level, this episode offers actionable insights to help you take greater control of your time and operate more effectively.

To learn more about Laura and stay up to date on her new release, visit: https://lauravanderkam.com/

Operating in the Gray with Nicky Christmas at the EA Campus: How Elite EAs Make Decisions Without Permission

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:41:23 -0700

Happy Administrative Professionals Week! As promised, we have double the content for you this week. On today’s episode of REACH, we’re joined by Nicky Christmas, Founder of EA Campus and a globally recognized voice in the executive support space. Nicky has built her career around elevating the role of the Executive Assistant, helping assistants move beyond task execution and into true strategic partnership. Through EA Campus, she’s worked with thousands of EAs around the world, equipping them with the mindset, frameworks, and confidence to operate at a higher level.

What makes Nicky’s perspective especially valuable is her focus on the realities of the role that aren’t always formally taught. The nuance, the judgment calls, and the moments where there is no clear right answer. In this episode, we explore what it really means to operate in the gray. How to make decisions without a playbook, build trust with your executive, and confidently step into a more strategic, operator mindset.

It’s not too late to join Nicky in person or remotely. The EA Campus Conference is running this week, April 22–24, 2026, at ISH Venues in London and online. Find out more and register here: https://theeacampus.com/conference/

You can also learn more about Nicky and access her resources at https://theeacampus.com/

From Supporting Simon Sinek to Supporting in the Era of AI: The Future of Executive Support, Human Judgment and Communication

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 07:41:17 -0700

Happy Administrative Professionals Week! On today’s episode of REACH, we’re joined by Monique Helstrom, former Executive Assistant, Producer, and “Chief of” to Simon Sinek, author of Start with Why. Often described as the “HOW Girl to the WHY Guy,” Monique spent nearly a decade helping build and scale one of the most influential leadership brands in the world, giving her a front-row seat to high-level leadership, communication, and partnership.

Now a keynote speaker and coach, Monique shares practical guidance for Executive Assistants on leading up, communicating with clarity, and stepping into their roles with confidence. We also explore how EAs can embrace AI as a powerful tool to stay relevant and enhance their impact. This episode is packed with actionable insights on communication, connection, and evolving as a strategic partner in today’s workplace.

Resources & Offers:

Podcast Listener Offer
Get $100 off The AI-Powered Assistant course. Learn how to think with AI so you can produce stronger work, faster, and position yourself as a strategic partner.
https://www.moniquehelstrom.com/ai-powered-assistant
Use code: reachpodcast

April Coaching Offer
Special Administrative Professionals Month pricing on coaching sessions focused on confidence, communication, career direction, and strategic partnership skills.
Book a Discovery Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/discoverycallwithmonique

Double Course Bundle (April Only)
Get The AI-Powered Assistant and Introduction to Effective Communication together to build both technical skills and communication clarity.
Explore the bundle: https://moniquehelstrom.thinkific.com/bundles/administrative-professionals-month-2026

About Monique
Monique Helstrom is a recruiter, coach, and speaker specializing in the executive–assistant partnership. A former Executive Assistant to Simon Sinek, she now helps executives hire and work effectively with high-level assistants and supports assistants in building strategic, future-proof careers.

Website: www.MoniqueHelstrom.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moniquejhelstrom/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquehelstrom/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrz2UEjZterB-2AdKZuAYxQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoniqueJHelstrom

How Executive Assistants Can Be Travel Heroes: Points, Luxury Travel & Smart Strategies for Executive Travel

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0700

In this episode of REACH, we’re joined by Julia Menez, founder of GeoBreeze Travel and host of the GeoBreeze Travel Podcast. Julia is a travel strategist and points expert who has built a loyal following by helping professionals maximize credit card points, airline miles, and loyalty programs to unlock elevated travel experiences.

For Executive Assistants and Personal Assistants, travel planning is a critical part of the role. Julia shares how assistants can take a more strategic approach to booking travel, using points and rewards programs to maximize budgets, unlock upgrades, and create seamless, high-quality experiences for their executives.

Whether you’re managing frequent business travel or looking to level up your approach to planning, this conversation offers practical insights on how to turn travel logistics into a true value-add. You can learn more about her offerings at: https://geobreezetravel.com/

With Grace and Grit: Resilience, Self-Advocacy, and the Evolving Role of the Modern EA

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:39:56 -0800

In this episode of REACH, we’re joined by powerhouse Executive Assistant Kim Owens, whose career spans more than a decade supporting top leaders across media, sports, and tech. From Viacom and the NFL Network to her most recent role as Lead Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO, Founder, and Board Member at GoPro, Kim has been at the center of major growth, cultural evolution, and global expansion.

Known for her unshakeable calm, trusted judgment, and innate ability to connect people across every corner of an organization, Kim exemplifies how EAs serve as both the glue and the engine behind their executives and teams. She has built a reputation for cultivating strong cross-functional partnerships, advocating for herself and others, and navigating change with clarity and confidence.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your presence as an EA, navigate high-pressure environments with more steadiness, or deepen your influence across the business, Kim’s career offers a masterclass in resilience, strategic partnership, and leading with clarity in moments of change.

From Music to Michelin Stars: The Art and Logistics of Supporting Culinary Visionary René Redzepi

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 07:35:41 -0700

Supporting a living legend in the food world comes with unique challenges and extraordinary rewards. As Executive Assistant to René Redzepi, the visionary Danish chef and co-owner of Noma, the three Michelin-star restaurant repeatedly named the best in the world, Matthew McGuigan has a front-row seat to one of the most influential culinary minds of our time.

Originally from Sydney, Matthew’s path to Noma is anything but ordinary. A professionally trained musician turned entrepreneur, he built his own EA and virtual assistant business in Berlin before finding his rhythm in the fast-paced world of fine dining. His artistic discipline and creativity now help him navigate the intricate choreography behind one of the most celebrated restaurants on the planet.

In this episode, we talk about what it means to support one of the world’s greatest food innovators, the power of food to connect people and cultures, and the massive logistical feat of moving an entire restaurant, staff, families, and ingredients for Noma’s legendary global pop-ups.

From the C-Suite’s Right Hand to Executive Coach: Guiding Growth-Stage CEOs Through Scaling and Change

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 07:56:16 -0700

In this episode of REACH, we’re joined by Kris Cordle Goodsall, Founder and CEO of Devenu Collaborations. Throughout her career, Kris has supported some of Silicon Valley’s most influential leaders, including Ev Williams at Twitter and Stewart Butterfield at Slack, guiding them through the evolution from product creator to company leader.

At Slack, she played a key role in scaling the company globally and later served as Chief of Staff, leading through its direct listing and $27.7 billion acquisition by Salesforce. Drawing on those experiences, Kris now coaches founders and CEOs of growth-stage companies, helping them strengthen leadership teams, uncover blind spots, and scale with intention.

Kris shares what she learned observing leadership up close, how those lessons shape her coaching today, and why avoiding burnout and setting boundaries are essential for both executives and their teams. She also reflects on her own journey from Executive Assistant, to a sabbatical in France, to Chief of Staff, and now executive coach, revealing how each chapter taught her to redefine success and leadership along the way.

Private Aviation Demystified: Making Executive Travel Seamless with Quantum Jets

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 07:01:00 -0700

In this episode of REACH, we’re joined by Tyler Macaulay, Senior Executive of Charter Sales at Quantum Jets, a private aviation company dedicated to making executive travel seamless, efficient, and stress-free. Quantum Jets' innovative mobile app and dedicated support team give Executive Assistants and advisors everything they need to plan private travel. Tyler brings insider expertise on everything from selecting the right aircraft to navigating private airports, coordinating timing, managing in-flight details, and even arranging for pet travel.

Together, we’ll demystify the world of private aviation, explore how it compares to commercial travel, and highlight common pitfalls to avoid when booking flights for your executive. You’ll walk away with practical strategies and best practices to make private travel smoother and more impactful for both you and your executive.

Sponsor: Quantum Jets – Seamless Booking and Trip Management
Quantum Jets offers an all-encompassing platform designed to simplify private travel and make life easier for busy EAs. Leveraging Quantum’s technology and dedicated support, you can:

Compare multiple quotes side by side
Communicate securely within the platform (no endless email chains or texts)
Access over 1,500+ priced empty legs in real time
Live flight tracking from departure to arrival, even on aircraft with blocked tail numbers that are usually not visible to the public
Enjoy secure access to trip sheets and invoices anytime

It’s everything Executive Assistants need to manage private aviation for their executives, all in one place.

✨ Download the Quantum Jets app today (available on Apple and Android) and use code REACH to receive a $1,000 flight credit. For trips under $20,000, $500 will apply toward your first booking and $500 toward your next. For trips over $20,000, the full $1,000 credit applies to your first trip.

Who is the EA Behind Maven Recruiting Group’s CEO and REACH Podcast Host, Jessica Vann?!

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 07:19:27 -0700

In this episode of REACH, we sit down with Sarah Duncan, Executive Assistant to Maven Recruiting Group’s Founder & CEO, Jessica Vann. With over two years of partnership under their belt, Sarah has been instrumental in helping Jessica balance the demands of running a company with the realities of family life and personal pursuits. From managing client communications and high-stakes priorities to ensuring the home front runs smoothly, Sarah’s role extends far beyond the desk.

This conversation provides a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the EA–executive partnership, offering insights on how to build trust, navigate diverse working styles, and establish systems that empower both the assistant and the leader to thrive. For Executive Assistants curious about supporting a Founder/CEO, or leaders wondering how an EA can truly transform their capacity and impact, Sarah’s perspective provides both inspiration and practical insight.

Brain Types & High Performance: Unlocking the Strategies to Achieve High-Performance and How to Read your Executive

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 08:58:57 -0700

In this episode of REACH, we’re joined by longtime friend of the Maven community and executive coach, Michael “Coop” Cooper. With over 20 years of experience coaching executives and teams, Coop specializes in helping organizations align, collaborate, and perform at their highest potential. His work spans leadership accelerators, team alignment workshops, and coaching on the Brain Types framework, a tool that helps individuals better understand how they think, communicate, and respond under pressure.

We dive into what makes a high-performing team, how leaders can foster clarity and cohesion, and the common blind spots that hold teams back. Coop also shares actionable insights for Executive Assistants supporting C-suite leaders, especially when navigating misalignment or communication breakdowns.

If you’re looking to deepen your influence, drive alignment across your organization, or better understand how to show up at your best under stress, this episode is a must-listen!

If your team or organization is ready to operate at a higher level of alignment, collaboration, and performance, you can explore Coop’s offerings at highperformanceorgs.com.

From EA to Co-Founder: How a 17-Year Partnership Built Trust, Leadership and Opportunity

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we’re joined by longtime EA-turned-cofounder Michelle Czarnik, whose 17-year partnership with her executive led to the launch of BOXMEDIA.io, a mission-driven storytelling platform. Michelle shares what it takes to build a high-trust, long-term EA partnership, one that evolves from support to strategic collaboration, and how that trust ultimately opened the door to entrepreneurship.

We trace her incredible career journey, from working in Hollywood as Maria Bello’s assistant, to pivoting into tech, and now returning to her roots in estate management. Michelle also opens up about her passion for golf, the power of presence, and why she’s on a mission to get more women on the course.

Whether you’re in the early stages of your EA career or dreaming about what’s next, Michelle’s story is a masterclass in reinvention, resilience, and leaning into the unknown.

From the Kitchen to the Page with Laurie Woolever: From Supporting Culinary Icons Batali and Bourdain to NY Times best-selling Author

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 07:31:09 -0700

Bridging the worlds of food, writing, and the behind-the-scenes realities of celebrity chefs, today’s guest is a true powerhouse! Laurie Woolever is best known as the longtime assistant and trusted collaborator of the legendary Anthony Bourdain. But her story stretches far beyond that role, from working as a receptionist, a private chef to a UHNW health-conscious family, to graduating from culinary school and serving as assistant to Mario Batali at the height of his fame.

Laurie’s career evolved into food media and writing, culminating in co-authoring several books with Bourdain. A three-time New York Times bestselling author, she completed World Travel: An Irreverent Guide after Bourdain’s passing and penned Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography. Her latest memoir, Care and Feeding, is a raw, witty, and moving reflection on carving out her own voice while supporting someone else’s.

In this episode, we dive deep with Laurie into her memoir Care and Feeding and the pivotal events that have shaped her life. Laurie pulls back the curtain on navigating the world as an assistant to larger-than-life culinary personalities, breaking into food media, and forging a new path as a writer. We explore the highs and lows of her journey, as she reflects on years spent supporting others and how it ultimately led her to tell her own story.

You don’t want to miss this amazing episode and Laurie’s insights on what it truly means to find your own voice after a career spent amplifying others!

Learn More About Laurie, Her Work, and Her Podcast:

Website: https://lauriewoolever.com/about
Memoir – The Care and Feeding: https://www.amazon.com/Care-Feeding-Memoir-Laurie-Woolever/dp/0063327600
Podcast – Carbface: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/carbface/id1331076906

REACH Hits 100! Behind the Mic & Flipping the Script on Jessica

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0700

🎉 We made it—100 episodes of REACH! 🎉

In this milestone episode, we're flipping the script and putting our host, Jessica Vann, in the hot seat. As Founder and CEO of Maven Recruiting Group, Jessica has spent the past 6 years bringing the voices, journeys, and insights of the EA community to life—and today, we’re turning the mic on her.

Guest host Amy Crumley, Executive Assistant to the CEO at Samba TV (and longtime REACH fan!), takes us behind the scenes to explore the origin of the show, the most memorable moments, lessons learned, and what it’s taken to build a podcast that’s become a cornerstone for the administrative community.

From sourcing top-tier guests to recording in studio (with a Molinari sandwich in hand), this episode is a heartfelt look at the journey, the people, and the passion behind REACH.

Stick around for a special appearance at the end—you won’t want to miss it!

It’s here! What is arguably Maven Recruiting Group’s most sought-after resource each year—our Annual Compensation Guide for Administrative Hiring! Don’t miss out on the insights that can shape your strategy for the year ahead. Download your copy now: https://www.mavenrec.com/compensation-guide

Inside the Executive + EA Partnership: Building Trust, Efficiency & Leverage- Plus Everything You Need to Know About Zeal.ai

Mon, 12 May 2025 09:17:15 -0700

We’re thrilled to bring you a truly special episode of REACH—one that’s been years in the making! For the first time, we’re hearing from both an Executive and her former Executive Assistant in a joint conversation about what it takes to build a powerful, productive partnership.

In this episode, we sit down with Varsha Rao, Founder and CEO of Zeal AI, and Sheena Deol, who supported Varsha during her time as CEO of Nurx. Their partnership spanned 3.5 years, and the insights they share about trust, communication, and operating as a true extension of one another are nothing short of inspiring.

You’ll also get an inside look at Varsha’s newest venture, Zeal AI—an AI-powered restaurant discovery and booking assistant that’s designed to make planning business meals effortless. Whether you’re booking client dinners, private dining rooms, or just trying to find the perfect spot during travel, Zeal AI is quickly becoming an indispensable tool for EAs.

Sponsor:

This episode of REACH is sponsored by Zeal AI your AI-powered restaurant discovery and reservation planning assistant designed to make organizing business dinners and meetings effortless and memorable. Whether you're looking for the perfect restaurant for your team, board meetings, client lunches, including private dining options, near your office or for business travel, Zeal AI brings it all together in one place.

Zeal’s intuitive AI search helps you discover and book restaurants across platforms—saving you time and stress and includes reviews from other EAs who’ve booked for business. Zeal AI also has private dining options that have been vetted by other EAs to simplify your work.

As a special thank you to our listeners, the first 500 Executive Assistants to visit www.hellozeal.ai/maven/ will receive exclusive VIP access, including Zeal’s innovative EA agent that helps you handle complex booking tasks with ease.

Less planning, more doing—thanks to Zeal AI!

From EA to SVP: Tanya’s Retrospective on a Decade of Growth and Leadership within Okta

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 11:22:10 -0700

Happy Administrative Professionals Week! And what better way to celebrate than by spotlighting the incredible journey of Tanya Benvenuto!

In this episode of REACH, we’re celebrating a remarkable milestone—Tanya Benvenuto’s 10-year anniversary at Okta! Tanya’s career evolution from Executive Assistant to Senior Vice President of Executive Operations for the Office of the CEO is nothing short of extraordinary. And for us, this one’s personal—REACH host Jessica Vann had the privilege of placing Tanya at Okta a decade ago (even though Tanya nearly turned the offer down!).

Tanya’s journey is a powerful example of what it means to advocate for yourself, lean into your potential, and shape your own trajectory. Over the past ten years, she’s transformed her role from behind-the-scenes support to a strategic leadership position, building and leading a high-performing executive operations team that partners directly with Okta’s top executives. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to go from supporting leadership to becoming leadership—this one’s for you!

Driving Change Through Narrative – A Guide for Executive Assistants

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 09:14:24 -0700

We're excited to share our conversation with Eliza Leoni, Senior Consultant at Decker Communications, who has extensive experience coaching senior leaders on high-stakes communication. Eliza’s expertise spans a range of critical areas—from leading presentations to large audiences, managing organizational change, and navigating difficult conversations.

In this episode, we dive into the role of narrative in driving change, especially for Executive Assistants. You’ll hear how storytelling can shape team dynamics, keep everyone aligned during uncertainty, and help influence without formal authority. This is a must-listen for anyone looking to strengthen their communication skills and make an impact in their organization.

Don’t miss out on the valuable insights Eliza has to offer!

Global Perspectives & Misconceptions of the Executive Assistant Career: Insight from the Middle East

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 05:04:59 -0700

In this episode, we welcome long-time REACH fan Karima Thomson, joining us from Abu Dhabi! Karima supports the Executive Leadership Team at Core42, a leading AI company, and previously worked at the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA). Born in Scotland, with career experience in London and the Middle East, Karima shares how the EA role in Abu Dhabi compares to the U.S. and Europe, the cultural nuances shaping executive support in the UAE, and how AI is transforming the profession. We also discuss misconceptions about the EA role in the Middle East, the realities of work-life balance in a fast-paced region, and the power of embracing discomfort for career growth. If you’re an EA with international ambitions, this one’s for you!

Leading with Heart & Soul: Embracing Spirituality in the Workplace with Oprah's Former Chief of Staff

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 09:44:21 -0800

In this episode we hear from none other than Libby Moore who spent over a decade supporting the legendary Oprah Winfrey. Prior to her impressive tenure with Oprah, Libby supported Jann Wenner media mogul and co-founder or Rollingstone magazine as his Executive Assistant as well as talk show personality Maury Povich as a Personal Assistant. Libby has been featured for her noteworthy career in publications such as Forbes, Forty Over Forty and Smart Company and today, we get to hear about how she has embraced spirituality in the workplace throughout the various twists and turns in her career. Following her time with Ms. Winfrey, Libby transitioned into her now career as an Executive Life Coach. You can learn more about her offerings at https://libbymoore.com/.

A Hospitality Background Might Just Be the Perfect Launching Pad for a C-Level Executive Assistant Career

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 08:06:16 -0700

Ever wonder if your years waiting tables or running a hotel front desk could be a secret weapon in your career arsenal? The answer is a resounding yes! In this episode of REACH, we'll be exploring how hospitality skills – those honed in the world of customer service, restaurants, cafes, and hotels – translate beautifully into the executive assistant career. Joining us is Janet Kim, Executive Assistant to the CEO of Clubhouse who successfully parlayed her background in hospitality into a highly successful EA career. We'll be diving into how skills like anticipation, service, multi-tasking, problem-solving and exceeding expectations seamlessly transition from a hospitality setting to supporting executives.

Janet enjoys sharing her story and experiences with other EAs on her blog called “That Exec Asst Life,” so be sure to subscribe to her social and follow along: https://www.thatexecasstlife.com/

Building & Leading Powerhouse EA Teams Featuring Panel of Ex-Slack Executive Assistants

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 07:45:44 -0700

In this episode of REACH, we're welcoming a baller Executive Assistant panel, showcasing 3 incredibly accomplished executive assistants who worked together at Slack for many years as part of the PDE EA Team. In addition to their roles as individual contributor EAs, as leaders within the EA org they also implemented best practices, developed career pathing for EAs, supported with onboarding and navigated the complexities of an acquisition and the ensuring change management (Salesforce acquired Slack in 2021).

Joining us is returning REACH guest from Season 2, Shelley Trask, who formerly supported the CTO of Slack for over 6 years. Next, we're joined by Sam Andonian who is currently the Lead Admin to Lidiane Jones, CEO of Bumble and has worked for companies like Slack, Google and Disney. And, rounding out our panel is Ellen Grosswiler, who currently supports the VP of Engineering at Figma and was an EA at Slack for nearly 5 years.

Together, our esteemed guests will provide valuable perspectives on how they operate as Lead EAs, offering guidance on leadership responsibilities, mentorship, culture and how they navigate a managerial role within the realm of executive support.

Perfecting the Art of Communication and Understanding the Effect It Has on the Executive Assistant Brand

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0700

In this episode of REACH, we're joined by Ninni Vanni who’s been a C-level Executive Assistant for 10 years working for companies like Rula, ON24 and Zuora. Ninni holds a master's degree in communication, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table to weigh in this topic. With a background finely tuned to the nuances of effective communication, Ninni is uniquely positioned to shed light on the intricate role that communication plays in supporting executives and managing the multifaceted and often delicate / diplomatic communications an Executive Assistant encounters. As we explore the importance of communication in this pivotal role, we'll unravel the impact of skills like active listening, information streamlining and the art of pushing back when necessary. Ninni's deep understanding of communication dynamics within and outside organizations will undoubtedly provide valuable insights for both aspiring and seasoned executive assistants.

Balancing Motherhood While Supporting at the Top: Advice from US Veteran Turned EA to Top Tech CEOs

Mon, 06 May 2024 04:00:00 -0700

With Mother's Day right around the corner, we thought it’d be fun to do an episode specifically for the working moms! In this episode of REACH, we’ll be delving into a conversation that resonates deeply with many: balancing the demands of motherhood and an elite Executive Assistant career working at the top of the professional ladder. We welcomed remarkable guest Camille Howard for this feel good conversation.

Camille's journey to the top is nothing short of inspiring. A US veteran who transitioned seamlessly into the corporate world, Camille now serves as a C-level Executive Assistant supporting the CEO of Mastercard. Beyond her professional accolades, Camille embodies the essence of resilience and balance, seamlessly navigating the intricacies of both career and motherhood. Listen in as Camille shares her insights, experiences, and invaluable wisdom on how she manages the delicate dance between her role as an Executive Assistant and her cherished role as a mother. We'll explore the unique challenges she's encountered, the strategies she's employed to overcome them, and the profound impact her role has had on enabling the executives she’s supported to also reclaim precious time for their personal lives.

And last but not least, Happy Mother's Day!

Listeners Call In: Your Questions Answered in Honor of Administrative Professionals Day

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Happy Administrative Professionals Day to our REACH Executive Assistant community! In the spirit of celebration, we invited our listeners to call in to the show and ask us anything. In this episode we welcomed back Maven Recruiting Group’s VP of Accounts and Growth, Gillian Lopez, to help tackle your burning questions alongside REACH host Jessica Vann. Thank you to all of you who called in to our program and asked such insightful questions around asking for a raise, standing out in your job search, landing an EA to CEO role, adjusting your resume when you've been out of the industry for a while, getting your executive to view you as a trusted partner and so much more! We're excited to share this Q&A episode with you all!

Learning from Legends: What Jeff Bezos’ Former Executive Assistant Gleaned & Translated into Her New Career as a Leadership Strategist

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Ann Hiatt is a Silicon Valley veteran with 15 years of executive support experience under her belt. She’s supported many of the titans of tech including Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO of Amazon, Marissa Mayer, former CEO of Yahoo!, & Eric Schmidt, CEO and Executive Chairman of Google. Having pivoted from her career as an Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff, Ann is now a Leadership Strategist & Executive Coach as well as an author and podcaster! In this episode of REACH, Ann shares some of the wisdom she's gleaned from working closely with some of the brightest minds in Silicon Valley and how she’s parlayed that knowledge into her work as an executive leadership strategist. If you haven't already, be sure to grab a copy of her book Bet On Yourself : Recognize, Own & Implement Breakthrough Opportunities.

What One Executive Assistant Learned from Being in the Room with Renowned Tech Leaders

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0800

In her nearly 25-year long career, Anita Gaeta has had two primary support relationships, each lasting over a decade, which suggests a lot not only about Anita’s immense value to these executives, but also the depth and extent of her partnerships and the tremendous opportunities for learning and exchange Anita has had. When we look at Anita’s career, she has been courtside with some of the most formidable and accomplished Titans of Tech, including Meg Whitman, former CEO of both eBay and Hewlett Packard, Lars Dalgaard, Founder and CEO of Success Factors and Steven Boal, CEO of Coupons.com. In this episode we hear from Anita firsthand about some of the lessons she’s learned and observations she’s had by being in the room with such renowned tech leaders and executives. One of her best pieces of advice? Always listen.

Understanding Your Rights as an Employee + Tips for Executive Assistants Creating Workplace Policies

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 08:18:24 -0800

If you’re an executive assistant curious about your rights as an employee or perhaps you work in an environment where you’re tasked with being the defacto HR person or setting employee policy, this episode is for you. We're diving into the complex world of employment law with two experts who know the ins and outs of this topic. And, I promise you, if anyone can make the law fun and relevant, it’s our guests, Angel Horacek, Founding Partner and Attorney at Law Offices of Angel J. Horacek, PC and Iryll Robbins-Umel, Civil and Employment Attorney at Law Offices of Angel J. Horacek, PC and formerly an administrative judge with the EEOC.

Both of these ladies bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, having represented countless individuals in cases ranging from all forms of discrimination to wrongful termination to wage and hour disputes. In fact, Angel and her team secured one of the largest plaintiff verdicts in 2022 in all of California! With their track record of successfully navigating the intricacies of employment regulations, we’ve brought these ladies on to help inform you of your rights as employees as well as to decode some of the more obtuse areas of the law, so you can feel more empowered in how you navigate or consider situations you may find yourself in. Moreover, we know many of our EA listeners are themselves also people managers, hiring managers or, at times, policy creators, so it's important to understand how your role may intersect with the law.

Defining & Owning Your Support Style: Advice for Executive Assistants Working in Creative Entrepreneurship

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0800

Natasha Rodriguez, Business Operations Manager at Eyeswoon joins us from Brooklyn to talk about her role supporting the renowned Athena Calderone, dubbed as “the modern girl’s Martha Stewart” by none other than The New York Times. You may know Athena as a chef and author of the James Beard award-winning cookbook, Cook Beautiful, or perhaps you’re familiar with who she is as a designer, her book Live Beautiful or maybe you’ve seen one of her brilliant design pieces on Crate & Barrel’s website (a recent collaboration she did). In this episode of REACH, Natasha gives us a glimpse into her day-to-day and shares how she's framed her work experience and created a unique support style and brand for herself as a professional within the creative space. Be sure to shop Eyeswoon's stylish curation of beautiful objects for the kitchen and home at www.eye-swoon.com. 'Tis the season for holiday table inspo!

Perspectives on the Loneliness Epidemic in the Workplace and How to Conduct a Successful Negotiation

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 07:32:04 -0800

In this episode of REACH, we're joined by Professor Juliana Schroeder. Juliana is the Harold Furst Chair in Management Philosophy and Values Professor at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business & she just recently gave a TEDx Talk on how to connect better in light of the loneliness epidemic plaguing American culture. Schroeder is a behavioral scientist who researches the psychological processes by which people think about the minds of other people, particularly in workplace contexts. The attributions people make about others’ minds are significant because they effect decisions about how we interact with others, such as whether to help or harm them. For instance, determining whether a negotiation partner is trustworthy affects willingness to cooperate. A tributary of Juliana’s research deals with negotiations and she teaches the Negotiations and Conflict Resolution course at Haas School of Business, so we figured she’d be the perfect person to give us the 411 on all things salary negotiations, which we know is often a burning topic for our REACH listeners.

Watch Juliana's TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J509AZl7bHY

The Story of a C-Level Executive Assistant Becoming a Business Owner, Life Coach & Motherhood Mentor

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 08:15:31 -0700

Starting at just 15 years old, Violet Ostuni devoted much of her life to the Executive Assistant profession and worked her way to support CEOs of companies such as Zoox, Federation Bio, CSpence Group, Genstar Capital & Full Harvest. She’s held various demanding support positions and, as any good EA does, has made her executives’ goals and objectives her #1 priority, that is, until recently! Violet shares her journey from Executive Assistant to business owner, life coach, podcaster and motherhood mentor. This episode is a feel-good story that we hope inspires you to follow your dreams and passion projects as well as highlights how the Executive Assistant career can be a platform from which to launch your own entrepreneurial ambitions. Learn more about Violet Ventures at https://www.ventureviolet.com/ & check out her podcast here: https://www.ventureviolet.com/venturelovepodcast.

Viewpoints on DEI in the Workplace

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 04:00:00 -0700

Today’s workspaces function very differently than they did even a year ago. Post-COVID era accommodations fundamentally shifted how we do work. A different kind of effort must be made to maintain our human connections that form as we work alongside each other. An important aspect of these connections that contribute to company culture is benefitting from inclusive and diverse workspaces. In this episode of REACH, we have the pleasure of speaking with Candace Deanes, who has had an illustrious career performing in roles that have uniquely qualified her to navigate this shift in how we work. Having been the Executive Business Partner to the Chief People and Diversity Officer at Twitter, and shifted to the Human Resources Business Partner role post-acquisition, Candace had super exclusive access and contribution to how DEI is approached and implemented in a large, dynamic organization.

Do I Need a Temp? How to Evaluate the Need for Temporary Coverage, Plus How to Hire, Train & Set Up a Contract Worker for Success

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 04:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we have the privilege of interviewing one of our very own from Maven Recruiting Group, Shirin Esmaili, Account Director & Team Lead of our Temporary Division. Shirin works with our clients to fill critical gaps such as those created by parental leave, disability, vacations or just a need for additional bandwidth or capacity to get through a crunch period. Over her Maven tenure, Shirin has navigated nearly every request or situation imaginable and counseled countless clients and temp workers on how to set themselves up for success, so she’s the perfect person to cover today’s topic which is how to evaluate the need for temp coverage, plus how to hire, train & set up a contract worker for success.

The Executive Assistant Role from Venture Capital and Start-Up Vantage Points

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 10:56:31 -0700

We’re delighted to welcome Lorynn Boland to our program! She is an EA who has navigated both sides of the aisle, so to speak, having spent five years at Kleiner Perkins, the legendary venture capital firm, and now the last six months supporting the CEO of PlanetScale, a database platform for developers with infinite scalability. Today we’ll be learning about Lorynn’s experiences of supporting in these environments which, while different, are also inextricably linked and symbiotic.

We feel this is an important conversation to have, as there is definitely a compatibility and common language between these respective industries, as well as some noteworthy differences. For anyone curious to understand these difference or for someone who is perhaps preparing for a job interview or transition from one side to the other, today’s conversation will be particularly valuable.

Leveraging AI to 10x Your Work as an Executive Assistant

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 07:28:09 -0700

In this episode, we welcome back Executive Coach and Co-Creator of Maven’s e-learning course and coaching program, Julia Quijano. Julia and Jessica recently finished the recording and roll-out of our latest e-course, “Becoming a Strategic Partner.” In furtherance to that conversation, here is a follow-up on an emerging area that is presenting itself as another strategic opportunity for executive assistants to 10x their work: the rapidly evolving area of AI.

As a quick refresher, Julia is a former Executive Assistant turned Chief of Staff and currently runs her own Executive Development Firm where she works with startup leaders across various industries. She is the co-creator and host of our (now) 2 e-courses and also facilitates our group and individual coaching programs. This is her 4th time as REACH guest and her other episodes include What it Means to be a Chief of Staff, How Executives Have Also Been Affected by The Great Resignation, and How to set SMART Goals - if you haven’t already, be sure to check those out!

Understanding the Legal and Security Landscape of AI in your Executive Assistant Role

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 08:05:20 -0700

In the continuously evolving AI landscape, we’ve only scratched the surface on the potential of AI as well as the latent security and legal issues that are co-emerging with the advent of AI technology, especially as that relates to the Executive Assistant role. As we further our exploration of AI in the workplace, we’ve invited subject matter expert Abraham Kang, Managing Consultant at Include Security LLC, to our program.

Abe is both an information security leader and subject matter expert who has worked for such notable companies as Venmo and Samsung and spoken internationally on security matters, as well as a Juris Doctorate licensed to practice in the State of California who lends his time as an amicus curiae specifically for the emerging intersection of AI and the law.

Whether it's earning a JD in his spare time, teaching himself quantitative mathematics or learning to dance bachata, Abe has an insatiable appetite for learning and expansion, making him the ideal guest to tackle the vastness of this topic!

Leveraging AI as a Strategic Advantage in your Executive Assistant Role

Mon, 22 May 2023 06:59:38 -0700

The space of AI is moving so fast and evolving so quickly! AI is in the headlines nearly daily as people debate its merits, its utility in supporting efficiency and productivity, as well as the ethical and somewhat dystopian implications of its use as we incorporate it more and more into our daily lives and work. We've invited Nikki Dickman to our program to discuss her experience with AI and how she sees it supporting today's executive assistants.

Nikki is particularly qualified to speak on this subject. Not only is she an accomplished executive assistant with a background in psychology who started a tech company to help therapists connect more effectively with their autistic adolescent patients, but she is also currently the Chief of Staff at Rewind, an AI company founded and led by Dan Siroker, who previously built Optimizely and garnered wide acclaim there. Rewind AI has the provocative thesis, "What if you had perfect memory? What if you could ask any question about anything you've seen, said, or heard?" Join us as we ask this question and so many more.

Former EA to CEO of Twitter on How to Accelerate Your Career

Mon, 08 May 2023 04:00:00 -0700

Taylor DeLorenzo is the definition of an A-list Executive Assistant and high achiever. As an Ivy League graduate from Cornell, her first Executive Assistant role was supporting a Founder, and in her next role she served as the right-hand to the CEO of publicly traded Shake Shack. She then leaped over to Twitter where she ended her tenure there supporting the CEO and saw them through their much publicized takeover by Elon Musk.

In this episode, Taylor shares her story and her thoughts on how to shore up confidence in your abilities in order to accelerate your own Executive Assistant career.

Life as an Executive Assistant in a Publicly Traded vs Privately Held Company

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 10:47:26 -0700

If you’re a regular listener of REACH, you know that we like to unpack the nuances associated within EA roles across industries and across stages of organizational maturity. We’ve talked previously about what’s involved in taking a company public from the EA perspective, and in this episode with Katherine Estep, who currently supports the CFO at Udemy with executive operations, we discuss the specific responsibilities of an EA working in a publicly traded company. Katherine joined Udemy the month they announced their IPO and has been supporting their CFO ever since the company became publicly traded on NASDAQ. We're excited to share what she has to say about the EA role after a company has gone public!

What Does it Mean to be an Executive Assistant in a “War Room?”

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 07:42:19 -0700

You may be familiar with the term “war room” or “situation room” as it relates to the Presidential Cabinet where the President and his advisors retreat to strategize on highly sensitive or critical matters. Today Rachel Tan joins us to discuss the role an Executive Assistant plays in a war room in the context of a business. While Rachel currently supports the CEO & President of Benchling with strategic programs, she also has experience supporting Chief Marketing Officers and working closely with Communications and PR, meaning she’s no stranger to being involved in addressing newsworthy and current events, and even crises. Our goal in this episode is to help EAs navigate any type of "war room" situation with sensitivity, grace and professionalism.

Career & Life Lessons from Michelle Obama’s Former Assistant & Right Hand: Part Two

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 08:24:13 -0700

We know you're excited for Part Two of our conversation with Chynna Clayton, former Executive Assistant to Michelle Obama and current Founder of Matriarch Made Development - and we're happy to deliver!

Join us as we delve into Chynna’s formative years that helped shape her into the person she is today, learn all that went into supporting a celebrity and someone as high profile and adored as former First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as Chynna’s three life takeaways and lessons from her time with Mrs. Obama. (I’m not giving anything away by letting you know one of them is knitting!)

You can learn more about Chynna’s consultancy, Matriarch Made Development, where she focuses on developing the talent and potential of administrative professionals in corporate and non-profit organizations by visiting https://www.chynnaclayton.com

Career & Life Lessons from Michelle Obama’s Former Assistant & Right Hand: Part One

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0800

We are thrilled to release part one of our conversation with none other than Chynna Clayton who spent over a decade as the Executive Assistant to the legendary Michelle Obama, first in her capacity as FLOTUS, then for another 6 years after Mrs. Obama departed the White House.

Chynna's story has been featured in Vogue and Oprah Daily, so we are especially grateful that she agreed to share her wisdom & experiences with the REACH community. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an individual who has literally worked at the highest echelon of demand, expectation, intensity, and discretion and where the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Plus, this is just part one, so be sure to join us in two weeks for the rest of our conversation!

Be sure to also check out Chynna's consultancy, Matriarch Made Development, where she focuses on developing the talent and potential of administrative professionals in corporate and non-profit organizations. Visit www.chynnaclayton.com for more information.

Applying the SMART Goals Framework to Your Work as an Executive Assistant

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 07:40:45 -0800

This episode on goal setting was not only requested by our listeners, but it’s a timely one given we’re at the top of a new year and hopefully full of inspiration and motivation to achieve some great things in 2023! Today we’ll be discussing some of the material covered in our "Becoming a Chief of Staff" e-course, specifically how to apply the SMART goals framework to your work as an Executive Assistant. This episode is full of practical content that you won't want to miss!

If you’ve been contemplating investing in the e-course, this episode might give you the motivation to officially sign up! You can do so at https://courses.mavenrec.com/courses/becoming-a-chief-of-staff. Use code MAVENLOVESEAS for 15% off through the month of February.

Behind the Scenes: What It’s Like to Support Husband & Wife Lifestyle Influencer Duo

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 08:01:19 -0800

We’ve had a wide range of Executive Assistants on our program who support business owners, celebrities, government officials and even magicians, but never have we featured an EA who supports an influencer – until now! Katie Hobson is the Senior Executive Assistant to husband and wife team Michael & Lauryn Bosstick, lifestyle brand influencers, podcasters, business owners of Dear Media & The Skinny Confidential and hosts of the Him & Her podcast. Obviously, the world of influencing is a new and hot industry that greatly impacts all things social media, consumerism, shopping, cooking, decorating, knowledge gathering, you name it. In this episode, Katie provides us with a behind-the-scenes look into what goes on in the lives of influencers and how she as an Executive Assistant shows up to support them in a unique and meaningful way.

Check out Katie's "Day in the Life" video on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cj8fNI4ABIK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Serena Williams’ Former Assistant is the Definition of a “Swiss Army Knife” Professional: Learn About His Experiences & How He’s Incorporated All Aspects in the Executive Assistant Role

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0800

Don't miss this episode featuring Grant Firestone, former Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff to Serena Williams! Grant's widely eclectic career spans everything from political operative, legislative aide in local government, high school coach, French student, lacrosse player, intern for the Global New York Times and currently, he supports the CEO of Lax International Airport on all things strategic initiatives, special projects and events. As someone who is so clearly capable and has such a myriad range of interests and talents, we’re excited to explore the perspective Grant brings to his work as a former Executive Assistant turned Manager of Strategic Initiatives and learn what it was that he's found within the Executive Assistant career that has nourished all of his different interests. Join us for this inspiring interview!

Executive Assistant by Day and Soul Food Chef by Night

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0800

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, it's only fitting to release an episode all about FOOD! Cherie Barfield, Executive Assistant at Meta and Owner of Cherie’s Southern Kitchen, has been an EA for over 26 years and she most recently embarked on a new journey as a food entrepreneur, having launched her own soul food catering company. There is something so beautiful and inspiring about seeing someone go after their dreams and we promise you this is one of those feel-good stories that just makes your heart warm, your mouth water and your stomach growl (seriously, grab a snack for this one!).

The Gaming Effect: Just What is Going on With These Lengthy Interview Processes?!

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0800

You’re probably wondering, why is this episode called “The Gaming Effect?” What does that even mean? Well, have you ever noticed how ordinarily sweet kids, while playing video games will shoot their enemies on rapid fire screaming die, die in this kind of vapid, dehumanized way? Or the mindless look that washes over their faces as they vigorously grip the controller pressing “fire” as quickly as they possibly can? We’re calling this ability to tune out and turn off your empathy “The Gaming Effect.”

This got me thinking that there is something very powerful that happens to our empathy and ability to relate and connect to others when we introduce the distance of technology. Many have spoken on the alienating and dehumanizing effects of technology and how Zoom and other similar platforms, while incredibly convenient, cannot compensate for human interaction and connection.

With so many employers now relying exclusively (or at least mainly) on interviews conducted over a technology platform, it got me wondering if this "gaming effect" is also occurring in interview processes in today’s market and what evidence there might be for that based on the interview processes we run as a recruiting firm.

In this episode, we welcome back Gillian Lopez, VP of Accounts and Growth at Maven Recruiting Group. Gillian works directly with many of Maven’s clients spanning Fortune 500 companies, venture capital firms, tech startups, you name it, and therefore, has a direct pulse on the market and what both job seekers and hiring managers are experiencing in today’s job market, which makes her the ideal guest for today’s topic.

Debunking Stereotypes: How & Why Creative Minds Actually Thrive in the Executive Assistant Role

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 08:08:39 -0700

In this episode of REACH, our friend Campbell Ruggles, Executive Assistant to the CEO of Universe, joins us from Brooklyn, New York. Campbell is one of those people who gets up to speed quickly, makes an immediate impact, and does so in non-traditional ways which we'll unpack in this episode. A creative herself who used Universe’s platform to create a website to sell her own art, Campbell is someone who sort of stumbled into the Executive Assistant profession and has been incredibly successful.

Our goal with this episode is to debunk the stereotype most people have about the kind of person who is successful as an EA. You know the type – they are hyper-organized, type A, love list making and planned their wedding at 10 years old! Campbell wouldn’t put herself into that category and mentioned she’s never fit the classic EA archetype, and yet she loves this profession and has been really successful at it. Campbell’s affinity for this role also demonstrates an important lesson, which is that there are multiple ways to be successful and, often times, being able to approach challenges and solutions from a different angle can be incredibly beneficial. So, if you’re someone who also feels like you also don’t fit the typical EA mold, or you’d like to learn how you can approach your own EA role from a more unique or innovative viewpoint, this episode is for you!

How to Telescope Your Value and Build Good PR Across the Organization as an Executive Assistant

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 06:58:38 -0700

If you’re a regular REACH listener, you know we’ve spent a lot of time discussing how to gain buy-in from your executive, but what about everyone else you need information from and work with day-in and day-out? People like your executive’s direct reports, or Finance, or other C-Suite members. Kristine Valenzuela, Executive Assistant to the Head of Engineering at Atlassian, has graciously offered to tackle this topic and share her tips for how to telescope your value beyond just your executive and essentially that boils down to creating good PR for yourself. So, if you need advice on how to position yourself or tweak your leadership brand to be perceived differently (and respected!) in your organization in order to get the information you need to do your job effectively, this episode is for you.

How to Elevate Your Role as an Executive Assistant Within Venture Capital

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 08:15:21 -0700

We invited Rachel Coffman, Operations Manager within Susa Ventures, to the program to be the spokesperson of Venture Capital. If you’re a loyal listener of REACH (and we hope you are!) you know we’ve featured several Executive Assistants who support the movers and shakers of the tech world, so we wanted to give the Venture Capital industry some love. In this episode, we address questions like 1.) How can you take ownership of your role and drive your destiny as an Executive Assistant in Venture Capital? 2.) What hidden opportunities are there specifically within VC for Executive Assistants to bring more leverage and value to the executive(s) they support? This is an incredibly informative episode for Executive Assistants and administrative professionals considering a career in Venture Capital.

Tips and Tricks for Executive Assistants Planning Travel in a ”Post-COVID” Environment

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 08:04:21 -0700

In this episode, we talk about all things travel coordination in a "post-pandemic" world. Courtney Puckett, Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO of Crunchbase, does quite a bit of traveling in her role and of course she’s the brains behind booking any trip, conference, or event for her CEO, and in cases like planning an SKO, she’s the one executing travel arrangements for all attendees.

Clearly travel as we know it has changed now that we have COVID to contend with. There are weighty feelings around this subject and an ever-evolving list of rules and regulations to adhere to, which adds yet another layer to planning.

But travel is Courtney's bread and better, in fact, it’s one of her favorite aspects of the Executive Assistant role so we’re talking to a bonified expert here. In view of this, today’s episode will be focused on giving our Executive Assistant listeners helpful tips and tricks for planning travel in a post-pandemic environment.

This episode is sponsored by Office Otter.

The Dynamic Duo Behind Sara Blakely, Founder of Spanx: How an Executive Assistant and Personal Assistant Partner Together

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 08:06:40 -0700

We had the honor of speaking with the women behind the woman, referring to Executive Assistant, Kenya Graham & Personal Assistant Lisa Magazine, who together supported the one and only, iconic Sara Blakely, who is of course the legendary entrepreneur and founder of Spanx. In this episode, we hear how Kenya & Lisa worked together to provide holistic, continuous 360-degree support to Sara so she could ultimately show up as the effective leader and change-maker she is. It's hard for us to imagine a better duo and you'll understand why after hearing how to these two cultivated a partnership and friendship to last a lifetime. Their secret? Humility, clear boundaries and one common goal. What speaks to their incredible tenure and legacy at Spanx? Each other. If you've an Executive Assistant who's ever wondered why it's important to partner with your executive's Personal Assistant or how to do that most effectively, we're excited to give you access to the wisdom and knowledge of the best of the best!

Everything Executive Assistants Need to Know About Equity in an Offer

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 08:55:03 -0700

In this episode, Kevin Baker, VP of Team and Customer Success at Maven Recruiting Group, addresses all of your equity and stock options questions. If you’ve ever received an offer letter from a pre-IPO company and found yourself positively stumped trying to wrap your head around what exactly was being offered, you wouldn’t be the first or the last! The purpose of this episode is to help you navigate through the quagmire of legal-ese and esoteric terminology to help you feel better prepared to properly understand and evaluate your offer letter and what questions you should be asking at that stage in an interview process. If you’d like to dive deeper into this topic, be sure to check out Kevin’s article on this topic, Executive Assistants Can Earn Equity Too on our website.

How Your Executive May Be Affected by The Great Resignation

Mon, 09 May 2022 04:00:00 -0700

Former Executive Assistant-turned-Chief of Staff and current Executive Coach, Julia Quijano, tackles the popular topic and trending hashtag, The Great Resignation and in particular, how she’s seen this movement affect executives and leaders of companies. We often forget that our leaders are also part of the equation! In sharing this perspective, we hope you will be better equipped to relate to your executives and adjust your support, as they are also navigating similar questions during these times.

This episode is sponsored by Cabinet, the all-in-one software application for Executive Assistants. Cabinet was created for high-performing Executive Assistants who are streamlining processes, creating culture, and preventing burnout - all before lunch.

Discover why EAs at Fortune 500 companies are turning to Cabinet to help them handle complex calendars and manage their never-ending to-do lists. Go to joincabinet.com and sign up for your free account.

Getting What You Deserve: How to Negotiate like a Boss

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 07:43:30 -0700

We get it, any conversation around money likely makes you want to crawl under the table and avoid it all together. We've asked Cynthia Gildea, an Executive and Personal Assistant who has supported a wide-range of executives and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, to teach you everything you need to know about salary negotiation, especially as a female Executive Assistant.

REACH Roundtable: The Great Resignation

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 04:00:00 -0700

If you weren't able join us for our third REACH Roundtable Livestream, we missed you, but we captured the audio for you to listen to here. For those who aren't familiar, REACH Roundtable is an extension of our podcast where we invite former guests back to discuss all things hot topics in the Executive Assistant world. In this episode, you’ll hear from the guests you know and love, Lauren Pelusi, Rowe Hoffer, LJ Cohen, and Kristin Beatham as they discuss The Great Resignation, a trend perhaps more popular than the celery juice cleanse! Specifically, they dig into the cause of this movement, which industries in particular have been most affected, as well as the ways its impacted the Executive Assistant career.

This episode is sponsored by Cabinet, the all-in-one software application for Executive Assistants streamlining processes, creating culture, and preventing burnout all before lunch!

Discover why EAs at Fortune 500 companies are turning to Cabinet to help them handle complex calendars and manage their never-ending to-do lists. Go to joincabinet.com and use start your free account.

Tackling the Title Debate: Is Job Title a Deal Breaker for Your Career and Identity as a Support Professional?

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 04:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we are joined by Carrie Zimney, former Executive Assistant to the COO, Private Office of Bill Gates Ventures! Carrie brings up the oh so debated title discussion, a sensitive and weighty topic for many support professionals. There's no denying the ways in which the executive support role has evolved over the years since its original "Secretary" days. Today we continue to witness various companies adopt titles such as Executive Business Partner, Chief of Staff, Senior Executive Assistant and everything in between for their administrative employees. Having held many titles and esteemed positions herself, Carrie is just the person to host this discussion. So, if you're someone who has mixed feelings around your title or your identity as a support professional, this episode is for you. Join us as we learn what job title means for your current role, resume, career and identity.

Behind the Scenes: What It’s Like to Be an Executive Assistant in the Entertainment Industry

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 04:00:00 -0800

If you’ve dreamed of supporting someone in Hollywood and you’re curious to hear what it’s really like, now's your opportunity! Jake Thomson, Executive Assistant to the CEO of Cosm, has supported several big names in the entertainment industry such as Heather Parry (Television & Film Producer best known for Pixels, The House Bunny & A Star is Born), Kelly Osbourne (actress & daughter of Ozzy & Sharon Osbourne) & Jenny Daly (another well-known TV producer) in both personal and executive support capacities throughout his career. So, if there’s anyone who can offer us a VIP peek behind the scenes, bloopers and all, it’s Jake! He even had the chance to meet one of his favorite Hollywood starts who he may or may not have a tattoo of.... can you guess who?

This episode is sponsored by Malt + Stone, a female-founded, online clothing brand that empowers women to look and feel their best every day. With weekly curated drops, Malt + Stone has everything to reinvigorate your 2022 wardrobe from meetings to happy hour. Executive Assistants get 20% off their purchase with code MAVEN20. Shop 'till you drop!

Expectations vs Reality of Supporting a Founder: Food for Thought from Former Executive Assistant to the Founder of Glossier

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 08:10:18 -0800

In this episode of REACH, Stacy DeRosa, former Executive Assistant to the Founder and CEO of Glossier, Emily Weiss, discusses the difference between supporting a member of the C-Suite versus what it means to support the Founder of an organization. While it might seem like there wouldn’t be a ton of variance between the two, Stacy tells us otherwise. Great food for thought for those considering to take the leap from supporting a C-Level to supporting a Founder.

REACH Roundtable Playback: Finding Opportunities for Growth and Renewal within the Executive Assistant Role

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 04:00:00 -0800

If you couldn’t join us for our second REACH Roundtable Livestream, here’s our playback. REACH Roundtable is an extension of our podcast where we invite former guests back to discuss all things hot topics in the Executive Assistant world. In this episode, you’ll hear from the guests you know and love, Lauren Pelusi, Rowe Hoffer, LJ Cohen, and Kristin Beatham as they share their unique perspectives staying engaged in their work as Executive Assistants and how they maintain their passion and commitment to their careers.

There are tracks within the EA role, there are tracks outside of the EA role and for those who see themselves tracking outside of the EA role, one of the paths that we’ve seen become commonly available to Executive Assistants is that of the Chief of Staff position. We’ve developed a course on “Becoming a Chief of Staff,” specifically designed for strategic Executive Assistants. So for those of you looking to further your knowledge & opportunities for advancement & community, visit www.mavenrec.com/courses.

How the Executive Assistant Role Serves as a Great Training Ground for Roles Outside of Executive Support

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 08:17:38 -0800

While we’re clearly huge advocates of the Executive Assistant career path, we also recognize that there are those whose inclinations and desires ultimately lead them away from that career and feel there is also value in talking about those guest stories. In this episode, we feature Tiffany Haughton’s story of going from Executive Assistant to the CEO of Poshmark to Growth Partnerships still within Poshmark! Tiffany’s roots as an EA go deep as she also supported the Founder & Creator of Android at one point in her career and she’s a big fan of the role. We talk about everything from how Tiffany wound up as an EA, when she realized she was ready to pivot into something new, how she had that conversation with her executive, as well as all of the ways in which the Executive Assistant role served as an excellent training ground for her current position. We know what you’re thinking, “What is growth partnerships anyway?” Well Tiffany answers that question, but we’ll give you a spoiler – she gets to collaborate with celebrities and influencers like Busy Phillips and Serena Williams!!!

How to Make Decisions on Behalf of Your Executive in the Absence of Information & Communication

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 04:00:00 -0800

Ellie Dunne, Executive Assistant to the Head of Global Security at Stripe, shares her tips and tricks for how to gather the context you need in order to confidently make decisions on your executive’s behalf and what that looks like in practice. Perhaps your executive never has the time to get you up to speed or lacks the communication style to provide you with the details... or maybe working from home has just made it all the more difficult to get your questions answered. Regardless, this is an important skill to have in your toolkit – something that takes time to master and something that Ellie knows how to do well!

From Filing an S-1 to Ringing the Bell: The Role an Executive Assistant Plays in Taking a Company Public

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 04:00:00 -0800

There’s no denying the record of IPOs that have taken place on the US stock market this year and the flurry of organizations headed down that path next, so we decided it was time to dedicate an episode to the role an EA plays in taking a company public. We invited back former REACH guest Tanya Benvenuto, who played a significant role in Okta’s IPO back in 2017. At the center of it all, ringing the bell next to CEO, Todd McKinnon, Tanya lived and breathed this experience first-hand. In this episode, she shares what goes on behind the scenes, how best to support your executive through the process & how to navigate all of the additional intricacies and responsibilities that come with taking a company public all while maintaining the upmost level of discretion. So, if your organization has officially filed an S1, this episode promises to lend insight into the process and prepare you for that life-changing experience.

The High Stakes and Highly Personal World of Estate Management: Everything You Need to Know to Successfully Setup a Household

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 08:40:56 -0700

We’ve talked a lot about what it means to support an executive in the business realm, but less has been explored about what it takes to support an executive in the personal realm. We decided it was time to dedicate an entire episode to estate management, so we invited prominent Estate Manager & Personal Assistant, Alicia Myers, to discuss all things estate management and how to successfully set up a personal household. We touch on how to create a household manual and implement a seasonal maintenance checklist, to how to coordinate a design & build project, to how to manage multiple estates and above all, what it takes to support individuals in the public eye who live highly complex, involved and demanding lives. Here’s a teaser for you: it requires resourcefulness, discretion, precision, attentiveness, flexibility and the need to check your personal values and opinions at the door. So, if you’re an Estate Manager looking for best practices from the best of the best or, perhaps, you’re currently a nanny or family assistant who’s curious about the estate management piece, or even an executive assistant interested in transferring to private service, this episode is for you!

Supporting a First-Time Founder: An Opportunity to Leave a Legacy as an Executive Assistant

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 09:49:50 -0700

Angela Wiley, Executive Assistant to the SVP of Americas Sales and the SVP of Global Corporate Sales at Equinix, talks about her experience supporting newly minted leaders and executives who had never experienced support until Angela! In this episode, we discuss the typical areas that first-time founders need coaching or direction from their EAs and specifically, how Angela built both a thoughtful and meaningful partnership with her former executive at Inkling. When supporting a new executive, your role takes on a different responsibility in that you become both an ally and a coach. As Angela puts it, supporting a fist-time founder is a tremendous opportunity to leave a legacy as an executive assistant for years to come. So, whether you’re supporting an executive who has never been an executive before or has never had an assistant before, Angela knows what it’s like to be in your shoes and is here to offer you advice and encouragement.

How to Effectively Support a “Difficult” Executive

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 08:20:20 -0700

Shelley Trask, Senior Executive Assistant to the CTO/Co-Founder of Slack and avid thought leader in the administrative community, joins us to tackle one of her favorite topics: How to Support a Difficult Executive. (And in case you were concerned, no, she's definitely not referring to her current exec!) Listen in as Shelley shares her strategies for how to get around said difficulty and how you can help coach your executive’s behavior & influence their habits or even draw the line when a situation is simply incorrigible. Whether you’re dealing with the new exec, the too-busy exec, the non-responsive exec, the no-boundaries exec, the perpetually-late exec, or even the brilliant a**hole (as Shelley puts it,) we promise you’ll be taking notes throughout the entire episode & leave feeling equipped with practical knowledge you can begin implementing as soon as tomorrow!

Advice on Salary Negotiation, Performance Reviews & Mentorship from a Beloved EA Mentor

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 04:00:00 -0700

If you’re looking for advice on all things salary negotiation, performance reviews and mentorship, you’ve stumbled upon the right episode. Mentorship is something Senior Business Partner, Autumn Heard, is incredibly passionate about. She currently manages a team of three admins at Medallia but has helped mentor, train and develop many administrative professionals over the years. In this episode, Autumn mentors our community by sharing her tips for things like how to prepare for a performance review, how to ask for feedback, how to provide support that aligns with your executive’s goals, how to negotiate the salary you want and deserve, and also what to look for in a mentor.

REACH Roundtable Playback: Are Executive Assistants Returning to the Office?

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 04:00:00 -0700

If you couldn’t join us for our first REACH Roundtable Livestream, we saved our audio playback for you. REACH Roundtable is an extension of our podcast where we invite former guests back to discuss all things hot topics in the Executive Assistant world. For our first Roundtable, we tackled the single-most relevant topic: “Returning to the Office.” In this episode, you’ll hear from the guests you know and love, Lauren Pelusi, Rowe Hoffer, LJ Cohen, and Kristin Beatham as they share their unique perspectives on whether EAs should be expected to return to the office alongside their executives and if not, how that forever changes the landscape of executive support. Join us for the next livestream and we'll address your questions in real-time. Plus you'll be able to enter our giveaways!

Perspective on the Chief of Staff Role: Attempting to Define an Ambiguous Position

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 04:00:00 -0700

The Chief of Staff topic isn’t going anywhere! In this episode we interview Jenna Miller, Chief of Staff at Betterworks to share her perspective on the CoS role. With all of the hype around this somewhat squishy and nuanced position, we’re making an effort to bring you the insight and perspective you’re looking for. Jenna talks about her recent promotion to Chief of Staff and the ways in which the Chief of Staff role differs from her experience as an Executive Assistant. She also unpacks her expectations vs the reality of the position now that she’s in the thick of it. One of her clear distinctions is that in the EA role, you experience “quick wins” as you focus primarily on executing tasks on behalf of your executive. While in the Chief of Staff role, your wins and rewards take a bit longer to come to fruition since your initiatives are focused on not only the executive, but the entire org.

Part Two: Event Planning Advice from an Event Planning Expert

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 04:00:00 -0700

This is part-two of our two-part series with event planner extraordinaire Heather Keenan, President and CEO of Key Events. Heather and her firm have orchestrated events the likes of which have been attended by queens, US Presidents, celebrities and the A-list of the business world. If you missed part 1, definitely give it a listen (Season 1, episode 16) where Heather shared how Executive Assistants could pull off a successful virtual event. As in-person events resume, we wanted to bring Heather back on the show to hear her advice around carrying out a meaningful and successful in-person event (the best kind)! Whether it’s a casual team happy hour or a formal executive dinner party, Heather says that every event exists to push business forward and it’s an Executive Assistant’s responsibility to nail that objective. One of her favorite tips when it comes to brainstorming and executing an event is “to paint with a big brush.” Join us for a conversation with tons of practical tips and lots of laughs! And you won’t want to miss her answer to our infamous REACH question with a twist.

Everyone Around Me is in their 20s (Including My Boss): How Not to “Age Out” of Your EA Career

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 04:00:00 -0700

You’ve probably heard the term “seasoned” or perhaps even been labeled or felt as such. And in the Bay Area tech arena especially, it’s not uncommon to work alongside colleagues or even support executives who may be in their early 20s or 30s. So, we’ve decided to tackle the ambitious topic of what it means to age gracefully in your career as an Executive Assistant and, in particular, how you can avoid “aging out” of the EA career. Nicole Hawkins, Senior Manager of Administration at Patreon, who supports CEO Jack Conte, has volunteered to share her experience of being a “seasoned” EA and what it’s like to work with and support individuals who are younger than she is. We’ll be talking about how to stay relevant amidst younger talent, how to relate to an executive team and group of colleagues who seem to get younger not older, how to provide invaluable support despite age differences, and how to confidently package your experience when interviewing.

Life at a Crossroads: Reflecting on the Executive Assistant Career

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 04:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Mallory Drury, former Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of Marcus & Millichap, shares her personal experience of being at a crossroads and thinking through next steps in her career. After eight plus years as an Executive Assistant, she finds herself in a reflective state of mind as she tries to determine what’s next for her, whether that’s another Executive Assistant position or something completely different. Jessica tackles this conversation interview-style by asking Mallory questions about what makes her tick, what contributes or detracts from her enjoyment and satisfaction and how she finds fulfillment. We hope that Mallory’s story offers some guidance and encouragement to those listeners out there who find themselves in a similar place. If you’re feeling similarly ambivalent or unsure about where you are with your Executive Assistant career, we hope hearing Mallory’s story will give you some ideas to ponder and reflect on, or even help you reignite your passion for EA work. This episode promises to be raw, heartfelt, enlightening and hopeful.

From Executive Assistant to Chief of Staff: What It Really Means to be a Chief of Staff

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 05:00:00 -0700

The topic you’ve all been waiting for! These days it feels like Chief of Staff and EA are used almost synonymously and with all the buzz around the Chief of Staff title, we decided to dive into what it actually means to be in this role, what the day-to-day of a Chief of Staff can look like, and how it differs from the EA role. In this episode, we explore why an Executive Assistant makes a great choice for a Chief of Staff. While there is no “one size fits all” definition of Chief of Staff, our goal is to share multiple perspectives on this role and the variety of ways in which a Chief of Staff can contribute. To kick off this series, we’re thrilled to have Julia Quijano on our program, who served as Chief of Staff at Aera Technology, a venture-backed startup in Silicon Valley where she wore many hats including leadership development and building the company’s DE&I program. Julia started off her career as an Executive Assistant at Salesforce where she supported the Chief Revenue Officer and the Chief Customer Officer before deciding to pursue a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology.

If There’s Anyone Who Knows How to Break a Glass Ceiling it’s Bumble’s Executive Assistant

Tue, 18 May 2021 05:00:00 -0700

If there’s anyone who knows how to break a glass ceiling it’s Lorena Legarreta, Executive Assistant to the President, CFO and CSO of Bumble. Today’s discussion promises to be an empowering one as we hear Lorena’s story. Growing up in Mexico, Lorena is a first-generation Latina who became an Executive Assistant sort of through happenstance because of her ability to speak Spanish and English fluently. She’s also been the first EA to many of the executives she’s supported throughout her career AND she supported her first ever female executive at Bumble. Bumble recently went public and made history as Bumble’s CEO, Whitney Wolfe Herd, became the youngest female founder in history to take a company public -- she even rang the bell with her baby perched on her hip, talk about breaking glass ceilings!

From Red Carpet to Tech Startup: How Mandy King went from Journalist to Executive Assistant to the CEO of Box

Mon, 03 May 2021 05:00:00 -0700

Did you know the Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO of Box started her career off in broadcast journalism at companies like CNN, NBCUniversal and Forbes? This episode is all about how Mandy King’s background in media influenced how she operates as an EA to CEO today. For those listening who also have work experience in a completely different field and may be wondering how to incorporate those skills into your current role as an EA or how to speak to the unique value your background lends in the interview process, this episode is definitely for you! And for those of you who are just curious why and how someone in TV/Media/Journalism became an Executive Assistant, stay tuned. The best part? She loves being an Executive Assistant a thousand times more than being a producer even after working alongside Anderson Cooper, meeting Ryan Gosling on the red-carpet and interviewing the Saturday Night Live hosts!!

Happy Admin Day! Bonus Episode to Celebrate Our Administrative Superheroes

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 05:00:00 -0700

Happy Administrative Professionals Day! In this bonus episode of REACH, we’re celebrating the often-unsung heroes and backbones of our companies. Our mission at Maven Recruiting Group and through our podcast is to elevate the support role and give it the props and appreciation it rightfully deserves. Gillian Lopez, Director of Accounts and Growth at Maven Recruiting Group, joins Jessica and together they highlight all of the problems EAs solve, all of the ways they save the day, all of the areas they provide leverage to their executives and companies. Plus, stay tuned for a special treat at the end... a few of our clients wrote in personal notes of appreciation for their admins and you just might receive a special shout out from your exec! We hope this episode reminds you how valuable you are, how critical your role is to your organization and how much we appreciate all that you do behind the scenes.

How to Standout in the Interview Process + How to Assess Fit with a Company and Executive

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 04:00:00 -0700

If you’re feeling lost among the shuffle of applicants, you’re not sure what to ask or how to assess fit in the interview process, or you’re looking for tips on how to spice up your LinkedIn game, this episode is for you. In this episode, Katie Thomas, Senior Executive Business Partner at Uber, talks about how to stand out and position yourself for success in the interview process, as well as how to assess fit with a potential company and executive. And if there’s anyone who knows how to network, stand out on LinkedIn and make a lasting first impression, it’s Katie! Spoiler alert: Katie received two job offers by simply making a memorable first impression. PS: If networking isn’t really your thing, this episode is still relevant! Katie, an introvert at heart, views networking in a non-traditional light and offers tips for how others can step outside their comfort zone and make meaningful connections even via Zoom.

Bored in Your Role? How to Ask to Take on Special Projects and Expand Your Role Outside of Your Job Description

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 05:00:00 -0700

Today’s episode is geared to those Executive Assistants who may be feeling bored, apathetic, unmotivated, or simply burnt out in their role. Parke Davis, Executive Assistant to the SVP, Products, Cortex, at Palo Alto Networks offers ideas for how to expand your role to create new learning opportunities and a renewed sense of excitement. We’re talking video editing, voice-over recording, event planning, culture building, you name it! In this episode, you will learn how and when to approach your executive as well as all of the work you need to do in advance to ensure you get a strong “yes” at the end of your conversation. If you feel like you can do your job backwards and forwards with your eyes closed, and you’re just going through the motions every day, this episode is for you!

Reimagining Your Remote Workspace: Advice from a Designer on How to Create a Productive and Beautiful Home Office

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 03:00:00 -0700

With remote work being the ongoing and possibly indefinite reality for many of us, we thought it would be both fun and practical to call in a design expert to talk about how we can equip our work from home environments to be both functional and beautiful. In this episode, Michael Guidry offers his tips and tricks for establishing a comfortable, productive, and aesthetically pleasing home office space. Michael has designed a variety of spaces including Maven Recruiting Group’s HQ and Jessica’s home office space. Not only does he have an incredible design vision, but also a ruthless pragmatism, resourcefulness, and appreciation for functionality and frugality that make him a really unique designer and someone who can find the happy place between Gucci and Target. This is both a fun and practical episode that you won’t want to miss!

From Working at the Bio-Pharma Behemoth Genentech to Scrappy Startup Grail: Everything You Need to Know About Being an Executive Assistant in Biotech

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 03:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Stacy Green, Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO of Grail, sheds light on the biotech industry from an EA’s perspective. She discusses everything from the challenges and rewards of the field, what it’s like to work with a bunch of scientists and PhDs and what to expect if you’re thinking of joining a biotech company, whether big or small. Prior to her role at Grail, a company committed to saving lives by detecting cancer early on when it has a better chance of being cured, Stacy worked as an EA at the biopharma behemoth, Genentech, for over 10 years. If there’s anyone who knows what it’s like to be an Executive Assistant in the biotech industry, it’s this gal!

From Facebook to Roblox: When to Take the Leap to a New Role

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 03:00:00 -0800

After supporting the Global Chief Diversity Officer at Facebook for six years, Pari McIntyre, made the leap to Roblox supporting the General Counsel. In this episode, Pari shares her thoughts on when it’s time to change roles or companies, something she recently decided to do. If you’re like Pari and you’ve recently accepted a new role during this time, we have no doubt you will benefit from hearing Pari’s tips on how to acclimate. Or, if you are thinking of making a move, we hope hearing Pari’s discussion of what prompted her will give you additional food for thought. This episode promises feelings of empowerment, independence and confidence – qualities Pari models well.

How to Pivot from Personal Support to the Corporate World: Advice from PA Turned Airbnb EA

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 01:00:00 -0800

Alexis’ journey to the Executive Assistant role begins with her previous role as a Personal Assistant to a high-profile executive and entrepreneur and her family. In this episode, we’ll be taking a deep dive into the Personal Assistant role first to understand what it’s all about and how to do it well, followed by Alexis’ discussion of how and why she transitioned her career to the corporate space. Join us as we chat about both the similarities and differences of personal support and executive support, the importance of confidentiality, how to effectively set boundaries and what it takes to pivot career paths. Whether you’re a Personal Assistant, Executive Assistant or Estate Manager, you are sure to relate to and benefit from Alexis’ story and advice.

Part Two: How to Navigate Stress in the Workplace: Advice from Miraval Resort’s Wellness Counselor

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 09:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Wellness Counselor at Miraval Arizona, Anne Parker, continues the discussion around how to navigate and manage stress in the workplace. With workplace stress costing companies approximately $300 billion dollars annually according to the American Institute of Stress, it’s safe to say there’s a lot of stressed-out people out there. So, whether you’re an executive assistant, an executive, an executive assistant listening on behalf of your stressed-out exec, or just a human being in general, this episode of REACH promises to give you some expert advice on how to improve your wellbeing. You won’t want to miss Anne’s tips for daily rejuvenation, how to set expectations around stress and stress management and finding a healthy balance. Plus, stay tuned for a special promotion offered only to REACH listeners!

Part One: How to Navigate Stress in the Workplace: Advice from Miraval Resort’s Wellness Counselor

Sun, 03 Jan 2021 20:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Wellness Counselor at Miraval Arizona, Anne Parker, leads us in a discussion around how to navigate and manage stress in the workplace. With workplace stress costing companies approximately $300 billion dollars annually according to the American Institute of Stress, it’s safe to say there’s a lot of stressed-out people out there. So, whether you’re an executive assistant, an executive, an executive assistant listening on behalf of your stressed-out exec, or just a human being in general, this episode of REACH promises to give you some expert advice on how to improve your wellbeing. You won’t want to miss Anne’s tips for daily rejuvenation, how to set expectations around stress and stress management and finding a healthy balance. Plus, stay tuned for a special promotion offered only to REACH listeners!

Advice from a Fellow Executive Assistant on Job Searching during a Global Pandemic

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 01:00:00 -0800

In this episode, former Executive Assistant at Piper Jaffray, Chantal Perez, shares her experience and tips for job searching as an Executive Assistant in the midst of a global pandemic. We know this is sensitive and apropos considering our current climate, so we are grateful to Chantal for stepping up to the plate to tackle what is probably the single hottest topic right now. The purpose of this conversation is to demonstrate the collective reality that many job seekers are facing right now and offer some encouragement and ideas for how to prevail while job searching during COVID. Disclaimer: When it comes to job searching, there’s no “one size fits all” approach, so cast a wide net!

A Fresh Perspective on the Inherent Challenges of Being a Sole Executive Assistant

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 08:00:00 -0800

In this episode, we interview Joy Caves, Executive Assistant to the Head of Cloud Engineering at Atlassian. While Joy works for a company with over 45 administrative professionals, 28 being Executive Assistants, Joy is no stranger to feeling like an island as she was the sole Executive Assistant in prior jobs. So, whether you’re feeling isolated in your role because of COVID and working remotely, or you’re the only EA on your team, this episode is for you! Join us as Joy shares a fresh perspective on some of the inherent challenges of being siloed and navigating the loneliness factor of the role. Good news: she’s learned how to push through that feeling and has tips for how you can too!

Part Two: Learning Executive Coaching Techniques to Become More Effective as an Executive Assistant

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 03:00:00 -0800

Join us for part two of our discussion with Executive Leadership Coach, Jonathan Hoyt, as he continues to share his strategies and best practices for guiding executives toward their highest selves. You as executive assistants and he as an executive coach are dealing with the same end-user and have the same fundamental challenge – how to most effectively access an executive’s desires and help them realize their goals. If you’ve ever struggled with how to “get through” to your executive or improve your communication and the way in which your suggestions are received (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t?!?), you won’t want to miss this special episode! And if you haven't already, be sure to listen to part one of this conversation where Jonathan discusses how to achieve meaningful breakthroughs, something you as Executive Assistants are ultimately working toward as well.

Part One: Learning Executive Coaching Techniques to Become More Effective as an Executive Assistant

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 03:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Executive Leadership Coach, Jonathan Hoyt, shares the strategies and best practices he’s developed to guide executives toward their highest selves and outcomes and achieve meaningful breakthroughs, something you as executive assistants are ultimately working toward as well. You as executive assistants and he as an executive coach and advisor are dealing with the same end-user and have the same fundamental challenge – how to most effectively access an executive’s desires and help them realize their goals. If you’ve ever struggled with how to “get through” to your executive or improve your communication and the way in which your suggestions are received (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t?!), you won’t want to miss this special episode!

How to Break Down Barriers and Find the Common Ground Between You and Your Colleagues

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -0700

In this episode of REACH, LaChristian Taylor, Executive Assistant at Exabeam, shares her story of how she’s been able to break down barriers and find the common ground between herself and her colleagues/executives in order to allow true collaboration to happen. LaChristian knows what it feels like to be the new kid on the block. As a woman of color who supports at the highest level, she has often found herself to be the only minority in the room. And as an executive assistant who joined a startup coming from a background in politics, she had a lot to adjust to when she transitioned her career to the epicenter of Silicon Valley. We hope that in hearing her story, you’ll feel empowered to break down whatever barrier you’re facing in your career as an Executive Assistant. PS: It may be just as simple as bonding with your co-workers over food and basketball!

How to Take Care of Yourself When Working in a Stressful Environment

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 04:00:00 -0700

In this episode of REACH, Clarivel Barajas speaks about the emotional demands and challenges of the Executive Assistant role and provides tips for how to avoid burnout when working in a demanding role. We hope Clarivel’s raw, relatable, and deeply personal story motivate you to establish healthy boundaries and practice self-care so you can avoid some of the hard lessons Clarivel learned in her career. This episode takes an unexpectedly emotional turn and is well worth the listen!

Chief of Staff Turned Marketing Manager

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 08:00:00 -0700

Starting at Expanse, Curtis Casella served as the Chief of Staff to the Founder and CEO there and was eventually promoted to Event Marketing Manager and ultimately, Senior Event Marketing Manager. In this episode, Curtis shares how his role as an Executive Assistant allowed him to explore and discover opportunities in marketing. From chasing a whim that led him to two, career-defining years in South Africa to angling his EA role toward field marketing, listen in to hear how Curtis has used the EA role as a jumping-off point to explore other pathways. If you’ve ever wondered about career tangents that may be available to you coming from an Executive Assistant role, hearing Curtis’ story may help you imagine some new possibilities for yourself!

How to Set-up and Run an Office of the CEO

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 10:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we hear from Kristen Quint, Director of the Office of the CEO for Anne Wojcicki, CEO of 23andMe. Kristen points out the distinction between what it means to support a CEO versus what it means to oversee the Office of the CEO as well as when it’s necessary to build out a more robust infrastructure to support your CEO effectively. Kristen walks us through the challenges she set out to solve, her thought process, the various organizational models she’s tried along the way and what went into both the planning and execution. Plus, she shares one of the game-changing processes she’s implemented at 23andMe to make decision making that much easier. Listen in to experience the wealth of insight Kristin has amassed over her impressive career.

Temp Glory Story: How One EA Turned a Contract Role into a Career Opportunity

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 04:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Brandon Bailey, Executive Assistant to the SVP of People of Postmates, shares his temp glory story! Prior to joining Postmates, Brandon made the conscious choice to contract for a few years, while doing some simultaneous soul-searching. Through his commitment to adding value and treating every open door as an opportunity, Brandon was able to successfully convert one of his contract positions into a meaningful and lucrative full-time role. In this episode, he shares how he did it. Spoiler alert: it has to do with knowing yourself and staying true to who you are! We hope Brandon’s story will inspire you to view your current temp position differently or encourage you to give temping a shot where you otherwise might not have.

From Ticketfly to Eventbrite: What It’s Like to Go Through an Acquisition (Or Two!)

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 10:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Melissa Silva shares her story of supporting Andrew Dreskin, the CEO of Ticketfly, through two acquisitions! Melissa gives REACH listeners a peek behind the curtain as to what it’s like to support someone through such intense periods of change and how she adjusted from being the sole admin in a scrappy startup to part of a broader admin team at Pandora and later, Eventbrite. If you’re wondering what it’s like to transition from a small startup to an established organization, or how your role might evolve if your company is acquired – or you’re just looking for an excuse to laugh out loud for a half-hour, this episode is for you!

The Role an Executive Assistant Plays in a Crisis

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 03:00:00 -0700

As Executive Assistants, being prepared for any situation, whether it’s a minor crisis like a missed connection or something much harrier, is essential to your craft. We did a podcast swap! In this episode, Jeremy Burrows, Executive Assistant to the CEO of Capacity and host of The Leader Assistant Podcast, discusses the role an Executive Assistant plays in a crisis whether it be a PR crisis, a global pandemic, or whatever else gets tossed your way. Drawing on his years of experience as an Executive Assistant, Jeremy explains how he remains steady in a crisis and how his role has evolved in the midst of recent historical events, as well as his tips for creating a safe space for his executive to vent and ultimately thrive. To hear more of Jeremy and Jessica in conversation, check out Jessica’s interview on Jeremy’s podcast.

Board Relations: The Invaluable Skill Every EA Needs in Their Toolkit

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 04:00:00 -0700

We can’t tell you how many times a client of ours comes to us looking for an Executive Assistant with board relations experience under their belt. In this episode, Danielle Hill, Chief Administrative Officer at Knox Lane, speaks about the value of Board Relations experience when it comes to the Executive Assistant career path and how getting that experience on her resume opened up doors to opportunities she never would have dreamed of. Listen in as Danielle digs into all that goes into coordinating a successful board meeting from preparation, to the day of, to follow-up. So whether you’re an EA who has never worked directly with a Board or planned a Board meeting before, or you’re a seasoned EA who has supported a C-level Executive who serves on multiple Boards and you're here to sharpen up your process, this episode is for you!

Making It: How Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard Became the EA to the CEO of Airbnb

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 03:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, Senior Executive Assistant to the Co-Founder and CEO of Airbnb, Brian Chesky, shares her story of “making it.” Jordan walks us through her career path from supporting notable political figures in DC (she was an even an appointee on the Obama Administration!) to landing a job for one of the world’s most recognizable tech brands, Airbnb. Listen in as Jordan discusses the pivotal moments in her career that led her to where she is today. And if you’re an up-and-coming EA striving for a career of this stature, we hope you find value in Jordan’s cut-and-dry advice... “take the risk!”

How to Best Leverage an Executive Assistant: An Episode You’ll Want to Share with Your Executive

Wed, 20 May 2020 08:00:00 -0700

Lauren Richards, Executive Assistant to the CEO and CPO/Co-Founder of Webflow, joins us for a conversation you’ll definitely want to share with your executive! In this candid and thoughtful dialogue, Lauren shares her advice for executives about everything from how to nail the hiring process and find the right person to how to structure an effective and enduring partnership rooted in mutual respect and regard for one another. Whether you’re an executive wanting to understand how best to identify and leverage an assistant or an executive assistant looking to find his/her voice in shaping a more effective partnership, this episode is your guide! Sneak peek: It all boils down to the questions you ask of yourself and of your EA candidate from the very beginning. We hope this episode sparks a dialogue on both sides and allows for a more elevated experience for all!

Pulling off a Virtual Event: Advice from an Event Planning Expert

Tue, 05 May 2020 03:00:00 -0700

This is part one of our two-part series with Heather Keenan, President and CEO of Key Events. With this series, we’re pivoting the conversation by inviting some of the most distinguished resources, companies and service providers we think it’s vital for you to know about. In this episode, event planner extraordinaire, Heather Keenan, gifts us with her wisdom and advice around carrying out a successful virtual event. As many of us are sheltering in place, virtual business events have become our new reality and yet planning something like a completely virtual SKO is new territory for most of us. With "essential” things like LP and board meetings, town halls, and fundraising events still needing to happen despite COVID-19, it’s imperative that EAs find a virtual workaround to keep these events on the calendar.

Whether it be an intimate happy hour held via Zoom or a fundraising event via webcast, Heather gives her tips for pulling off things like experience, engagement, and even virtual pupus! Spoiler alert – you may find yourself telling your Executive to channel his/her favorite character actor, aka Brad Pitt, because presenting in front of a camera is totally different from speaking in front of a live crowd. Join us for this timely and informative conversation!

What It Means to be a Tenacious EA and How to Combat Workplace Challenges

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 08:00:00 -0700

Many EAs would say their relationship to their executive is a core contributor to overall job satisfaction in the EA role. In this episode, Rowe Hoffer, Senior Executive Assistant to the Co-Founder and Chairwoman of Mozilla (who she’s supported for almost 9 years!), talks to us about what it means to be a tenacious EA when combating workplace challenges. More specifically, Rowe speaks to working relationships that may not be “ideal” or considered the “perfect match” in nature and how to game plan for when things aren’t rainbows and butterflies. While it’s wonderful when you have instantaneous rapport and a seamless partnership with someone, it can be unrealistic to expect perfection in a working relationship, whether it be with an executive or a colleague. Demonstrating resilience and tenacity through these challenges is a skill that Rowe has developed throughout her career and in this episode, she shares her personal experience of what that really looks like. Plus, you’re in for a real treat when we ask Rowe who she would love to support and why. Hint: this individual has performed a Superbowl half-time show!

How to Stay Relevant as an EA during COVID-19 (Plus Tips on Job Searching)

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 04:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we’re tackling your COVID19-related questions and concerns, Q&A style and guerilla-style. Yes, kids may interrupt, doorbells may ring, tea kettles may whistle, but our priority here was to address your very relevant and legitimate questions in a timely manner even if that means raw and un-cut. Whether you were recently laid off or you’re feeling vulnerable right now to a potential lay-off, or simply want to provide the best level of support and service you can to your executive during this time, this episode is for you! Joining our host, Jessica Vann, to help tackle your questions is Maven Recruiting Group’s very own Director of Accounts and Growth, Gillian Lopez, who works directly with our clients and who has a direct line to the thinking of hiring managers and what matters to them right now. While adjusting to today’s reality is hard, we hope this episode gives you some solutions and hope for how you, as an executive assistant, can continue to move forward despite COVID-19.

Part Two: The Ins and Outs of Remote Support and How to Get it Right

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 11:00:00 -0700

With the increasing popularity and buzz surrounding remote EA work, we decided it was time to get some real insight from a remote Executive Assistant in our network. In this episode, we interview LJ Cohen, remote Executive Assistant to the Partners of Uncork Capital (formerly known as SoftTech VC). In this episode, LJ addresses everything from the importance of asking the right questions in the interview process to ensure success in a remote role to setting up boundaries within her personal life to create a home environment that supports her work to dealing with situations like her executive having trouble connecting to a video conference when she isn’t physically there to assist. Listen in as LJ dives into the nuances of remote support and shares with us what it’s really like to work from home on a daily basis. (Hint: it’s not always pjs, slippers and a cup of tea!) Our hope is that after listening to this episode, you’ll have a clearer sense as to whether remote work is for you and what questions to ask of yourself and others before taking the leap.

Part One: The Ins and Outs of Remote Support and How to Get it Right

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 04:00:00 -0800

Growth Through Adversity

Fri, 14 Feb 2020 04:00:00 -0800

In this episode our guest, Carina Ruggiero, reflects on some of the challenges she’s faced and how she has not only triumphed, but also used them as a catalyst for career growth and personal evolution. In this episode, Carina talks about how she made a significant mental shift from achieving to serving. Her inspiration? The one and only Tony Robbins. She encourages us to stop taking ourselves so seriously as she puts it, “Sh*t happens, bounce back!” Carina also shares her ninety-nine-year-old grandmother’s advice with us and reveals the silver lining to staring down challenges in the workplace, which in her case led to accepting a role with a top immigration law firm that also reunited her with her husband who was stuck abroad. Who doesn’t love a good love story?! At the end of this episode, we hope you will feel inspired to grow and persevere even when life pulls a fast one on you... after all, EAs have to be resilient. Plus, you’re guaranteed to learn at least three swear words in Italian!

From the Streets of Los Angeles to Capitol Hill: Hear One EA’s Personal Story of Making It

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 04:00:00 -0800

In this episode, the oh so relatable and authentic Anh Castro shares the story of her childhood as a daughter of a Vietnamese immigrant, who grew up in the working-class neighborhoods of Los Angeles and later became an established Executive Assistant and Personal Assistant who supported prominent women like Dianne Feinstein, Kamala Harris and Danielle Steel, and some major figures in the venture capital world. Despite Anh’s humble roots, her will-power, drive and perseverance have allowed her to ascend to the highest levels of success as an Executive Assistant professional. We hope that you will find deep meaning and inspiration after listening to Anh’s heartfelt story.

Best Practices for Getting Off on the Right Foot with Your Executive

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 04:00:00 -0800

Success in an Executive Assistant role is predicated on establishing the right practices and behaviors with your executive from the outset, boundary setting, mutual respect and open dialogue. Ligaya Fieler, Senior Executive Assistant at SurveyMonkey, walks us through how she’s personally accomplished these things with her Executives over the years – one story includes how she earned the respect of a traditionally “grumpy” Exec! In this episode, you too will learn how to set the tone for a productive relationship with your Executive from the very beginning in order to create an effective and lasting partnership. Spoiler alert: it involves confidence, honest reflection, prioritization and managing up.

The Art of Finding Your Voice and Pushing Back (with Finesse)

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 05:00:00 -0800

In a service-oriented role, sometimes it can be a challenge to strike a balance between being helpful and supportive of others and their needs while also ensuring you don’t take on too much. We all know that sometimes we need to be able to “manage up” and push back. Chances are, this is probably something that you’re already doing on a daily basis. However, the act of managing up is truly an art, and one that can always be worked on and perfected, and it comes more naturally to some than others. In this episode, Molly McKnight, Executive Assistant at Handshake, discusses the importance of finding your voice and learning to say “no” as a mid-level Executive Assistant. At one point in her career, Molly supported 19 Executives! Learn how she navigated those conversations and made significant progress in the areas of managing up and striking a balance between providing effective support to multiple people and staying sane! Learn you can juggle it all too.

The Change-Maker: How One Admin Manager Evolved the EA Role within Okta

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 05:00:00 -0800

Tanya has always had a passion for leading and mentoring Executive Assistants, starting first with her role as a Staff Supervisor at Merrill Lynch and ultimately landing in a hybrid Admin Manager / EA to CEO role at Okta. In this episode, Tanya shares the history of how she evolved and elevated the EA function within Okta and ultimately created a world-class EA team. From leading by example to teaching more junior EAs how to own the room and exude confidence to bringing in outside coaches to lead trainings on difficult conversations and even coaching the Executive Team on what it looks like to fully leverage their EAs, these are just a few ways Tanya has helped to mold and shape an exceptional EA team. Whether you’re an Admin Manager looking to grow a winning team or you’re an Executive Assistant working on personal development, there are nuggets of wisdom for everyone in this episode.

Executive Assistants vs Robots: How Technology is Changing the Landscape of Support

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 05:00:00 -0800

Meg George, former Executive Assistant to the Founder of Coinbase and Paradigm and currently the Events, Facilities and Operations Manager at Even, discusses the role of technology within the executive support and office support roles. Living in Silicon Valley, the hub of technology innovation, we see technology platforms gobbling up an increasing number of functions that used to be handled by humans. We wanted to ask the question, how much, if any of the Executive Assistant and Office Manager role, will ultimately be subsumed by technology. In this episode, Meg talks with us about whether we should be threatened by technology or excited about the additional leverage technology can bring to the support role. She also highlights her go-to tech tools that make her job easier.

Setting Your Executive up for Success When You’re on Maternity Leave

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 11:00:00 -0700

Ann Borja, Executive Business Partner to the CEO and Co-Founder of Lyft, talks to us about what a pivotal year it’s been for her – from carrying a child to going through an IPO and navigating all of that change within a highly visible role at a rocket-ship startup. In this episode, Ann offers advice to other Executive Assistants as a woman with a noteworthy and demanding EA career on the cusp of becoming a first-time mom. While Ann is fortunate to have a very supportive executive, she also offers advice on how to navigate conversations with bosses who may not be as inherently understanding. Ann also walks us through her pre-maternity leave plan, how she’s prepping for the big event and how she expects her role to change once she returns with another title, “Mom,” on her resume. Join us for a candid, intimate, and heart-warming discussion between two career women and moms.

From Tactical Assistant to Strategic Partner: How to Provide Transformative Support to Your Executive

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 11:00:00 -0700

Editor in Chief turned Critical Care Nurse turned Executive Business Partner, Paige Zeigler sheds light on how you as an Executive Assistant can be a strategic asset to your company and Executive by discussing her own thought process and behaviors. As the Executive Business Partner to Eric Gundersen, CEO of Mapbox, Paige spends her days spearheading projects and driving new initiatives in order to propel the business forward, rightfully garnering massive cred as a “transformative Executive Assistant.” Within this episode, Paige dives into her unconventional background and discusses the value and importance of transferrable skills across careers and industries. Not only that, Paige provides other Executive Assistants with tangible examples of what it means to be strategic as well as how to assess whether an opportunity has the potential to become strategic.