ES GLOBAL 2023

Amanda Johnson

Multi Award-winning Business Mentor | Virtual Assistant Trainer

Amanda Johnson is a multi award-winning Business Mentor and Virtual Assistant Trainer, helping aspiring VAs to make that leap from employed to self-employed and find their first client; then supporting experienced VAs to grow and scale online with her genuine, no-nonsense and straight-talking advice and support.

At the centre of her work are ethical, easy to implement strategies and practical effective trainings. With 30+ years professional administrator experience, she brings a rich knowledge from the military, government organisations, corporate, agencies and SMEs to the VA industry.

Amanda runs VACT Limited, the UK and Europe’s leading Virtual Assistant Training Company and has helped thousands of Virtual Assistants across the world, using her 10 years specific VA experience both as the VA doing the work and as a VA Mentor.

Amanda’s mission is to help you to become the “Go-To” Virtual Assistant, supporting you with focus, direction and an easy plan to follow and take action in order that you can create the VA Business you crave with freedom and flexibility.

How Virtual Assistants Can Survive a Recession and Thrive

With over a third of the world officially in a recession, Virtual Assistants can thrive if they recession-proof their business and help their clients recession-proof theirs!

In this session, Amanda will share actionable tips that help Virtual Assistants recession-proof their day-to-day operations but also share ideas on how to market authentically and package their support/services in such a way that businesses want to buy.

Learning Outcomes:

• Virtual Assistants: how they can help create a sustainable workforce and why you need to be sharing this with your clients and potential clients.
• 5 strategies that Virtual Assistants can implement to recession-proof their own business.
• 10 marketing ideas that Virtual Assistants can use to build their business during a recession.

Marlize Schneider

Marlize Schneider is the Former Office Manager & Former Executive Assistant to Rev Mpho Tutu van Furth at The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, which was also the office of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. In addition to her duties as an executive assistant, Marlize was active in many tasks assisting the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, the wonderful and loving Mrs Tutu and their family.

Having held positions with various high-profile individuals, Marlize is able to tailor her skills to meet their needs and criteria. With the ability to exercise sound judgment, use discretion and manage sensitive and confidential information, she maintains a calm and professional demeanour in any situation and is very comfortable with rolling up her sleeves and getting things done. Marlize is at ease dealing with and working for high-profile people.

She has almost 20 years of experience in the administration field, with business management, project management and corporate compliance experience. Marlize has a track record of strong performance in high-volume, high-pressure environments and extensive experience with travelling and management of staff. Currently, she is Executive Assistant to Alistair Maiden, the Founder and CEO of SYKE Legal Engineering.

KEYNOTE: Interview with Lucy Brazier OBE

What was it like to run the office of one of the most famous men in the world?

In this interview with Lucy Brazier, Marlize Schneider explains how working for the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu was a huge influence on her life.

She’ll talk about dealing with office politics in an organization headed by a Nobel Peace Prize-winner and chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as well as the strict timetable that operated in the office and working closely with the wonderful and loving Mrs Tutu and their family.

And what happens once you leave such a role?  Marlize will talk about how you move on from working with a high-profile person and what she’s doing now.

Articulating Your Worth: A Career Supercharger

Rachael Bonetti will share why articulating your worth is a challenge for many administration professionals and how it can limit career progression, access to opportunities and earning potential.

You’ll hear how to shift your thinking to understand how your work directly supports the success of others and develop a mindset around this that supports self-belief.

You’ll get the language and tips to help you articulate your worth in a confident, authentic and personal way that commands the respect, recognition and reward that you deserve.

This session will have you standing out for all the right reasons, as talent, not a resource.

Learning Outcomes:

• Why articulating your worth is a skill all administration professionals need to master
• How it creates impact and supports progression
• Practical ways to begin to elevate the way you talk about what you do
• Strategies and tips to overcome challenges with this

Reto Leder

With a professional life of 38 years dedicated to customer service on cruise ships, hotels, restaurants, airline catering and hospitality education around the world, Reto Leder is the consummate host.

For the last 10 years, he has re-shaped the Convention Centre Trafo Baden into a forerunner in innovation in the corporate event industry in Switzerland. Especially notable is a uniquely transparent and easy-to-calculate pricing system for meetings and conventions of all sizes; A pricing concept which has since been adopted by seminar hotels and convention centres across Switzerland.

Trafo Baden was also the first venue in Switzerland to have its own, photorealistic digital twin of all event spaces, allowing customers to preview a specific event set up in a 3D tour, long before visiting the Centre for the first time.

Most recently, his hiring of a 15 Gault Millau points Master Chef has elevated Trafo’s (affordable) Catering quality to the same level as some of the top restaurants in the country, a fact which is frequently commented on by customers and their guests alike.

Together with his team, “going the extra mile” for a customer is not a sales punchline, but rather a philosophy of work and even a lifestyle.

Interview: A Fascination with Excellence and Customer Service

Reto Leder is CEO of Trafo Baden, a Swiss convention centre which lies just outside of Zurich. At the heart of his career in hospitality is an obsession with excellence and in particular with exceptional customer service.

In this interview with Lucy Brazier, he talks about his career, the trends he is seeing in the events industry post-COVID and why putting customer service at the heart of your event will never go out of fashion.

Michael Levin

Michael Levin is the President and CEO of Custom Solutions.  He has launched and built numerous companies into multi-million-dollar entities in a wide variety of industries.

He is a three-time #1 International Best-Selling author.   His books include his #1 inspirational best-seller  “Let Them See You Sweat”  along with “The Art of Collaborative Selling”. He is also co-author of Jack Canfield’s, “The Road to Success”.

Michael is also a former 50 Senior Executive for Pepsi-Cola, running gold-standard divisions in San Francisco, Oakland and Reno.

He has delivered his keynotes and workshops on leadership, change, sales, and communication skills around the world for companies and conferences of all sizes.  Michael has been on TV and radio shows around the USA sharing his knowledge. He has appeared on Home Shopping Network, featured in Entrepreneur Magazine and had his products featured in Oprah Magazine.

Creating an Entrepreneurial Workplace®

Michael’s talk on “Creating an Entrepreneurial Workplace®” is about his powerful philosophy that creates ownership and empowerment throughout an organization.  Your people will not only embrace change they will actually lead and drive that change.

You will learn real tools to create that environment as well as how to overcome roadblocks and challenges, and Michael’s philosophy of how to create sustainable change instead of “Flavor of the Month”.

You will also learn key communication tools including Michael’s 4-step process for resolving conflict, questions and concerns in a collaborative manner.

Attendees will come to understand the paradigm shift required, from leaders to front-line staff, to create this environment. This philosophy has made Michael’s companies, his client’s companies, and the divisions he ran for Pepsi Cola incredibly profitable by creating a highly motivated, inspired and  entrepreneurial team.

Learning Outcomes:

• You will learn how to create ownership and empowerment throughout the organization.  This will be even more valuable during these times, as leaders are trying to hold their team accountable and responsible while working from home.
• We will discuss the challenges companies face with moving from a more traditional autocratic environment to one of entrepreneurism. We will discuss the behavioral shifts necessary from both senior leaders and the front line and how to achieve those shifts.
• We’ll discuss critical communication skills in creating this environment including Michael’s 4-step methodology for resolving conflict that leads to collaborative and mutually beneficial solutions.

Bonnie Low-Kramen

TEDx Speaker | Author Be the Ultimate Assistant, Staff Matters

Bonnie Low-Kramen is recognized as one of the world’s most respected thought leaders on workplace issues. Her work has taken her to 13 countries She worked as the Personal Assistant to Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis for 25 years until 2011.

Bonnie’s 2022 TEDx talk is called “The Real Reasons People Quit. The Be the Ultimate Assistant workshop (co-taught with Vickie Sokol Evans) is considered a must-attend for top assistants and was featured in Forbes.

Bonnie is the bestselling author of Be the Ultimate Assistant and Staff Matters, People-Focused Solutions for the Ultimate New Workplace. She is a writer for Executive Support Magazine and Harvard Business Review. Her passion is to affect positive change in the global workplace by paving the way towards healthy, respectful, and productive partnerships between the staff.

Clients include the Wharton School, Starbucks, Amazon, and the British Parliament. A committed advocate for women’s issues, Bonnie is at the center of the movements to close the wage gap and to end workplace bullying.

She is a sought-after keynote speaker and trainer at conferences and corporations around the world. Bonnie is based in Florida, USA and seeks to build better workplaces for her children and yours.

Staff Matters: Unfiltered

This session is based on Bonnie’s new book, Staff Matters.

Staff are referred to as the backbone of the company, the right arms, the face of the culture, the eyes, the ears, the heart, the lifeblood, the glue, and the soul. If this is true, why are people treated so badly and most importantly, how can we fix what’s broken?

This question is at the heart of the matter for Bonnie, and anyone who knows her trusts that she will talk about how things really are – unfiltered.

It’s time to shine a light on the issues slowing assistants and all staff down and stopping them dead in their tracks. These are the issues of dysfunctional leadership, unfair compensation, workplace bullying, sexual harassment, and discrimination and too many are suffering in silence.

Bonnie holds nothing back as she pulls back the curtain on what is really going on because there is too much at stake not to.

Learning Outcomes:

• Learn how collaboration with leaders, HR, and recruiters is the key to fixing what’s broken
• Understand how to move towards building a culture of respect and stability
• Learn how to set your team up for success in the hybrid and remote workplace

Candice Burningham

Candice Burningham is a true admin advocate. She started her 20-year admin career as an office junior in Brisbane, Australia. She worked her way up to being a C-Suite Executive Assistant to some of the biggest and brightest minds globally and has now gone on to be an ambassador for the admin industry via her community group,  Admin Avenues.

In 2021, Candice returned to Australia. She saw a gap in the market for a niche job board and community support network dedicated to the administrative industry. This led her to create Admin Avenues – Australia’s first premiere employment marketplace and community website for admin professionals.

In her personal life, Candice is a long-time supporter of UNHCR Australia (The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and Ronald McDonald House. She is an LGBTQIA+ straight ally and supports the Pride Foundation Australia. Candice splits her time between Australia and the UK.

Creating An Admin Department

Have you ever noticed that most businesses don’t have an Administration department?

They have a marketing department, a sales department, HR, the list goes on. Admins are often just a dotted line in an org chart, attached to the department heads, but not seen as a role in that department. They often don’t receive promotions or bonuses like everyone else in that department. This is one of the many reasons admins need their own department in companies. Their own budgets for training, department events, salary bands and bonus structures. In this session, I will be talking through how admin departments can be established and the value this will bring to businesses.

Learning Outcomes:

• The importance of an administration department in an organisation should not be underestimated. Working with the administrative department is like dealing with an entire corporation at one time. They are the information superhighway of any business. They directly interface within each department, contextualise administrative needs and bring that information to the larger company for discussion and action.
• Admins need the tools and budget they require to do their jobs efficiently. They may be met with resistance in suggesting new ways to change the way they do things (e.g., move to a project management tool like Asana instead of using manual spreadsheets). Companies need to be open, and admins need to be creative in the way new tools and systems are introduced to the business.
• Admin departments need to ensure performance metrics are introduced using helpful documents like the Global Skills Matrix, which provides a framework for administrative professionals and makes it possible to identify levels of work for a given role and career progression opportunities.

Lily Shippen

Lily founded Lily Shippen in 2016 with the entrepreneurial spirit of doing things differently. Having gained valuable experience working in London for one of the world’s largest recruitment agencies, Lily spotted an opportunity to disrupt the talent acquisition and recruitment market by creating a boutique executive and business support agency. Headquartered in Manchester,  the agency redefined the recruitment experience across the United Kingdom for both clients and candidates.

After carving out a reputation as a go-to specialist recruitment agency for over six years, in 2022 Lily bought in Kathryn Gunner to launch the human resources division, enabling the agency to connect even more exceptional businesses with exceptional people.

Career Progression

Career Progression – What is it? How should I measure it and how do I go about it?

Join this session with Lily Shippen as she looks at the short and long-term process of career advancement, sharing knowledge and experience from the thousands of employees and employers that Lily has worked with during her career to date.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand what career progression is.
• Understand how to measure and assess what progress you want.
• Guidance on how to approach your executive or employer about the career progression you aspire to.
• Gain clarity on what you can do personally for your own career progression.

Marie Herman

International Trainer | Author | Owner, MRH Enterprises LLC

When it comes to career and professional development, Marie Herman, CAP, OM, ACS, MOSM knows how to take you from where you are, to where you want to be.  As the owner of MRH Enterprises LLC, Marie helps office professionals to advance their careers through certification and education.

Prior to launching her incredibly successful training business, Marie supported the Chief Technology Officer of the Fermi National Accelerator Lab and Chairman Emeritus of ServiceMaster.  Marie, an author, mentor and subject matter expert, holds multiple certifications and can help you become better trained as well.

Her articles in Executive Support magazine have proven perennially popular. She has more than two decades of experience as an administrative professional and efficiency consultant.  She is a regular contributor to Executive Support Magazine and also facilitates Organizational Management cohorts for IAAP.

Marie teaches webinars and seminars on various technology and professional development topics and also provides highly respected online certification study groups for the Microsoft Office Specialist and Certified Administrative Professional exams.

Your Goals Are Gold For Your Career

The process of setting goals for administrative professionals seems pretty challenging, doesn’t it? When we do our jobs flawlessly, no one sees what we do. Many times our days are filled with endless short tasks which seem impossible to capture in a simple goal. How do we make “keep paper in the copy machine” into an impressive goal for our colleagues?

During this 90-minute masterclass, Marie will be discussing how to decide what goals you really want to set. We’ll also look at how to phrase your goals for maximum impact and identify what systems and aids you can establish to ensure that you make progress and ultimately achieve your goals. We’ll identify some of the reasons why evaluation and assessment often gets thrown by the wayside with the stress of busy days.

Learn how you can set goals that will motivate you and help you stay laser focused throughout the year and let those goals lead you to the career you have always dreamed of.

Learning Outcomes:

Attendees will learn:

• How to create goals with maximum impact to craft your career as you wish
• Why you need to include strategies and tactics in your planning in order to ensure the success of your goals
• Why evaluation and assessment are key steps in the goal achievement process

Thom Dennis

CEO, Serenity in Leadership | International Speaker | Author

Thom Dennis is the CEO of Serenity in Leadership Ltd, the premier culture transformation, change and leadership specialists.

He is an international speaker, voiceover actor and Amazon #1 published author. Thom has been featured on both BBC TV News and radio, and as a thought leader in over 320 articles in industry-leading publications in just the last two years alone.

With over 30 years’ experience as an executive coach, facilitator, change maker and leadership developer, and having served 17 years as an officer in the Royal Marines, Thom has been hired by global banking, pharmaceutical, energy and engineering brands such as Citigroup, Royal Bank of Scotland, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Conoco Phillips, Shell, BP, Centrica and Transocean to name just a few.

How to Handle a Difficult Executive

What are the reasons that make a person difficult? There are many and none of them has to do with you!

You haven’t caused this difficult behaviour but you may be on the receiving end of this person’s discomfort or pain which, if they don’t have sufficient self-awareness, will spread out around them – a projection of dis-ease which may affect you.

When people are being nasty and awkward it is very easy to be drawn into responding in, or at least feeling, the same way rather than approaching the person with interest, curiosity and empathy. This may seem counter-intuitive but most dysfunctional behaviour is rooted in fear and pain.

How you respond is very much dependent on what role you are in; as an Assistant, you are generally trying to be as helpful as possible and not to ‘rock the boat’, so this calls for a mindset that will accept difficult behaviour without taking it personally. But there are limits and resilience, patience, a sense of humour and also a high level of professionalism all come together to empower you in the face of someone and their behaviour which you cannot control.

Learning Outcomes:

• Greater understanding of the roots of dysfunctional behaviour
• Insights into boundary setting
• A higher level of self-awareness so that it’s easier not to take unpleasant actions personally
• Understanding of the concept of match & lead
• Strategies to protect mental health
• Greater understanding of the dynamics of power

Cody Byrns

Very influential and effective, Cody Byrns is an internationally recognized speaker and number one best-selling author.

In May of 2013, Cody’s life was drastically changed. While stopped at a red light on the highway, Cody was rear-ended by a box truck that failed to stop. As a result, he was considered dead until first responders saw his hand move. He received many injuries that day, including severe burns to almost 40% of his body. After years of countless surgeries and rehabilitation, Cody has chosen to not allow his scars to keep him bound in bitterness and defeat. Instead, he uses his story to uplift others.

His goal is to help people live free from the bonds of scars (physical and emotional), equipping others with the proper steps to walk out of their past hurt and defeat and run towards their full potential.

As a thought leader, he speaks worldwide to provide relevant, applicable, and thought-provoking messages. Thousands of people have been impacted by Cody’s story and outlook on life. From college students to business leaders, his presentations have been received by many. He has also been featured on many TV and radio shows around the world

Be prepared to have an experience that will motivate you to move out of bondage into a life of freedom!

From Stuck to Empowered: Maintaining Momentum Through Trying Times

In today’s demanding and often stressful working environments, a strong mindset is imperative to overcoming obstacles and surpassing life’s challenges. Occasionally, this means handling a missed deadline, reshuffling a team, or letting an entire department go.

How do leaders and employees maintain a strong mindset during trying times and avoid getting stuck? In addition, can anyone deploy a strong psychological shift that creates both individual and team empowerment? The answer is yes!

Cody Byrns shares how his life suddenly changed when he stopped at a red light on the highway. It forever changed him, throwing his dreams to the curb, and creating the ultimate stuck mindset. Through his research in psychology and personal triumph, he was able to transcend a forever life-changing experience into tangible steps that can work for just about anyone. His story is designed to empower your team to create the necessary shifts to go from stuck to empowered.

Learning Outcomes:

• Master the 4-step E.P.I.C. process to remain standing strong and demonstrate resilience in the midst of any obstacles.
• Discover the root causes of psychological blocks and how to unroot them.
• Learn the steps to creating individual empowerment and how that grows into organization-wide transformation.

Lucy Chamberlain

Passionate, fun and straight-talking, Lucy Chamberlain has become one of the business world’s most popular motivational speakers. Over the course of her Founder journey, Lucy has worked as a TV presenter, awards judge, ICF Accredited coach and award-winning speaker.   

With over 20-years leading industry experience, Lucy founded C&C Search to redefine and elevate both the client and candidates’ recruitment experience.   In April 2020, Lucy launched the C&C Academy, a global training platform specialising in offering CPD certified qualifications, as well as bespoke, in-house training and keynote speeches for a wide variety of businesses, including WarnerMedia, BlackRock, Sony and Impax Asset Management.    

Alongside her fantastic knowledge base, Lucy’s level of experience enables her to give genuine insights into leadership, change and overcoming adversity.  

As a speaker, Lucy leaves an audience motivated, empowered and armed with tools to support a life and career that serves the individual better. 

Unlocking the Secrets to Interview Mastery

In this session, Lucy Chamberlain will take you through all the steps you need to be ready to secure your perfect new role.

Lucy has spent 22 years recruiting, placing and training over 30,000 Administrative Professionals and has a deep understanding of what insights, tools and knowledge can support you throughout the interview process.

With Lucy’s knowledge, you will have the opportunity to place yourself in the best possible position to secure not a job but the perfect role for you. More than this, she will help you to develop the courage, competence and confidence to ace that interview and create the career of your dreams.

Learning Outcomes:

• Hacks to prepare in ways you may never have thought of!
• How to deliver the best version of yourself at an interview and embrace vulnerability as a superpower.
• How your personal brand makes ALL the difference.
• How to ensure that you can create the right kind of impact and influence throughout the process.
• How to deliver kick-ass answers to interview questions.
• How to close the feedback loop and use it as rocket fuel.

Please share this with any colleagues, friends or family that may need this support. Lucy’s aim is to be of service to as many people in the support staff community as possible.

Heather Wright

Heather Wright is an award-winning speaker, trainer and author, who’s no-nonsense approach is balanced with a tremendous sense of humour.  She specialises in personal and team performance development as well as all aspects of inspirational leadership.

Heather engages audiences all over the world and she is in demand to convey powerful messages using many different mediums.  As well as keynote conference speaking, she writes blogs and delivers podcasts, webinars and vlogs to embed behavioural change in the most cynical of delegates. Whatever the subject, it will be illustrated with practical and entertaining examples. You will be left feeling you can tap much further into your potential.

Psyche Yourself Up!  How to Achieve Even More, More Easily Through Greater Emotional Intelligence

What is your measure of success? Your bank balance? Job satisfaction? Or simply the amount of time you get to spend doing the stuff you enjoy? Whatever it is, Heather will help you get there.

Have you ever felt buffeted by the uncontrollable events of the past few years?  Sometimes it can be hard to plan what you want to achieve when the goalposts keep moving and the ground feels unstable.  When events have affected your emotions and they can cause you to approach someone or something in a way you later regret.

In this fascinating and empowering session, we will explore the vital psychology of achievement, the development of greater emotional intelligence and little-known secrets of how the connection between the two can impact your ability to succeed.

Learning Outcomes:

In this session, you will discover how to:

• develop greater emotional intelligence in support of your relationships with others and even yourself
• overcome procrastination and become even more productive
• motivate yourself when the going gets tough
• connect and communicate even more effectively

Peter Ivanov

Peter Ivanov is a manager, entrepreneur and virtual teams’ expert with over 25 years of international experience. Peter recognized the growing importance of teams formed across multiple locations and developed an innovative method for leading virtual teams. In 2007, the team led by Peter won the “Best of the Best” award for outstanding project management in establishing global shared services. 

As an expert in new leadership, Peter supports managers to retain the gravity of their team despite the geographical distance, age and cultural differences, whilst also delivering top business performance. He inspires audiences all over the world as a keynote speaker. 

Peter’s book “Virtual Power Teams” is in the Amazon Top 3 for International Management and has been translated in 6 languages – English, German, Bulgarian, Polish, Spanish and Chinese.   

For a free download of his book ‘Virtual Power Teams’, please visit https://mailchi.mp/peter-ivanov/vpt_book 

How to Motivate Remote Workers in Virtual and Hybrid Teams

Virtual and hybrid working penetrates business and many other areas of life. Effective remote teamwork underpins almost any global endeavour.

Motivating home office, remote and hybrid workers requires a new approach.

In his interactive session, Peter will share the five key aspects of remote motivation;  leveraging individual strengths, setting goals from the bottom up, establishing a winning spirit and the optimal culture in virtual and hybrid teams.

If you can instil effective virtual culture into your business today you will be interconnected and best placed globally for success in the Digital Age!

Learning Outcomes:

• Discover the individual strengths of each team member
• Set an aspirational team vision and goals
• Develop and practice the top three skills for leading remote workers
• Establish structured communication and engagement rules
• Enable a winning team spirit

Hallie Warner

Chief of Staff | Author | Force Multiplier

Hallie Warner serves as Chief of Staff to the Founder and CEO of Adam Hergenrother Companies. She is also the co-author of The Founder & The Force Multiplier: How Entrepreneurs and Executive Assistants Achieve More Together.

Hallie has worked side-by-side with Adam Hergenrother for more than a decade, ensuring that Adams vision is clarified, communicated, and executed. Hallie also provides strategic counsel to key leaders within the organization and leads special projects focused on the growth of the organization.

Building a Strategic Partnership That Lasts

More and more entrepreneurs and business leaders are waking up to the fact that they need a talented Executive Assistant who wants to run alongside them as they build and grow their companies. It is a wonderful thing to see because truly no one succeeds alone. And it’s a heck of a lot more fun when you have a strategic business partner by your side weathering the storm with you, taking the lead when you need to rest, talking through problems and solutions, and celebrating the successes. Someone who gets it and gets you.

Once you find your leader/Force Multiplier match, the real work begins. In this session, Adam and Hallie will share the mindset and strategies they have used over the past twelve years to keep growing and leading together.

Learning Outcomes:

• How to build trust with your strategic business partner 
• How to think and lead like a CEO  
• Why cultivating confidence is critical to success  
• The future of work and how you both win

Adam Hergenrother

Adam Hergenrother has built a $1B organization in less than ten years by creating a culture where personal growth and work-life integration come first.

Adam thrives on taking on physical challenges including Bikram yoga, hiking, Ironman races, white-water rafting, skiing, and more. He fuels his mind and spirit with 40 minutes a day of meditation, and spends as much time as possible outdoors with his family and friends.

He believes all of this is simple, but not easy. Life is hard. Business building is hard. There are daily struggles to overcome. It’s about finding the gift in all of life’s experiences and understanding that you have the power to unleash joy!

Adam lives in South Burlington, Vermont, with his wife, Sarah, and three children, Sienna, Asher, and Madelyn.

Building a Strategic Partnership That Lasts

More and more entrepreneurs and business leaders are waking up to the fact that they need a talented Executive Assistant who wants to run alongside them as they build and grow their companies. It is a wonderful thing to see because truly no one succeeds alone. And it’s a heck of a lot more fun when you have a strategic business partner by your side weathering the storm with you, taking the lead when you need to rest, talking through problems and solutions, and celebrating the successes. Someone who gets it and gets you.

Once you find your leader/Force Multiplier match, the real work begins. In this session, Adam and Hallie will share the mindset and strategies they have used over the past twelve years to keep growing and leading together.

Learning Outcomes:

• How to build trust with your strategic business partner 
• How to think and lead like a CEO  
• Why cultivating confidence is critical to success  
• The future of work and how you both win

Dr. Heather Denniston

Dr. Denniston bridges the connection between personal well-being and professional success for elite leaders and their teams.  

She delivers custom solutions for burnout and stress and provides cohesive habit-training strategies that maximize vitality, productivity, and resilience. 

Her Wellness Amplifier Performance Program is sourced from 25 years of private practice and from working with companies from small start-ups to global giants like Microsoft.  

As a keynote speaker and coach, Dr Denniston motivates audiences covering topics from health and wellness to stress and resilience.  

She is the author of Three Day Reset and a regular contributor to several online wellness publications such as Thrive Global and Medium.

You Are Spilling Your Most Precious Resource

Dr. Heather Denniston explains the personal and professional cost of unknowingly and unnecessarily leaking your energy:

You are exhausted and bordering on burnout. Your get-up-and-go has left the building, and you are unsure how to get it back. In this session, you will learn where you spill your most precious resource and the practical tools to shore up the holes in your bucket, buy back bandwidth, and get back to the things that truly matter.

Learning Outcomes:

• Learn how decision fatigue, focus, and multitasking drain your brain battery of precious glucose. 
• Discover how toxic relationships, over-giving, worry and fear, and working outside your zone of genius deplete you far more than you thought. 
• Leave with practical, quickly implementable tools to shore up the holes in your energy bucket.

Melissa Esquibel

Microsoft Certified Trainer Alumni | Microsoft Office Specialist Expert | Productivity Coach

Melissa Esquibel was in the thick of early business technology innovation when hardware and systems were kept in a virtual black box, and IT gatekeepers doled out functionality within a rigid systems architecture. Now, in the present, where end-users know how to access the power of technology independently and according to the agile timelines they need, this push and pull has created quite a mess in many organizations.

With her unique experience as the conduit between the gatekeepers and the gatestormers, Melissa offers you her unique perspective as a “bridge builder.” Her sense of humor and common-sense approach will engage your team and produce results you can take to the bank in real world time savings and effective use of your organization’s resources. She brings out the best in people, coaxing out meaningful collaboration and impactful solutions.

30 Tips in 30 Minutes

Sometimes the coolest tools are hiding in plain sight!

In this fast-moving, eyebrow-raising presentation, Melissa Esquibel will show you 30 tools in The Microsoft Office Suite that can save you valuable time and eliminate frustration.

No matter how much you know about the tools you use every day, Microsoft is adding new things all the time. Most of us don’t take the time to learn or even stay aware of new things in our applications. This is your opportunity to catch up with some new things and even learn how to stay up on things in a way that doesn’t eat up valuable space on your calendar.

We’ll even throw in some for Google Workspace!

Learning Outcomes:

• Learn the newest features of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook.
• Understand how to apply the newest features to the work you do every day.
• Locate new features and tools in reliable information sources.

Nekeisha Nelson

Founder and Principal Consultant, The Admin Mindset

Nekeisha F. Nelson is the Founder and Principal Consultant at The Admin Mindset, launched in June 2020.

As a seasoned administrative professional with 20 years in the field, she has extensive experience in a range of administrative functions, specifically in the areas of office administration, records management, meeting and event planning, scheduling/calendar management and customer relations. As such, her knowledge and skills have allowed her to work with companies in both the private and public sectors of business and education.

Nekeisha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (First Class Honours) from the University of Hertfordshire and is trained in Protocol and Business Etiquette.

Passionate about her profession, Nekeisha has devoted her time and abilities to contribute to, and be an advocate for, the professional growth of both entry level and experienced administrative professionals. The development of her workshop programmes, which cover topics on customer service, business etiquette, office administration amongst others, are all aimed at improving the mindset of professionals desirous of progressing in their careers.

Nekeisha is a member of the National Association of Administrative Professionals of Trinidad and Tobago and attends local and international conferences and webinars as part of her journey in lifelong learning.

Developing Business Acumen as a Strategic Partner

This session is designed to highlight the skills and knowledge you need to make a valuable contribution to your organisation and drive business success. It will cover the following topics:

• Introduction to business acumen and the role of administrative professionals in driving business success 
• Strategy development and implementation 
• Financial concepts and how they relate to business decision-making 
• Improving communication and collaboration skills 
• Leadership and management skills for administrative professionals 
• Time management and productivity tips 
• Best practices for using technology to improve efficiency and productivity 
• Professional development and career advancement strategies for administrative professionals

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this session, you will be better equipped to align your work with the overall goals and objectives of your organisation.  

You will have a deeper understanding of:

• Business operations
• Financial concepts 
• Strategic decision-making  

Vonetta Watson M Ed., MCT

Vonetta Watson, the owner of TechGem Educational Technologies, is a 25-year technology veteran, SME, facilitator, instructor, international trainer/speaker, mentor, author, technology and personal coach, consultant, and software migration/implementation specialist. As an Instructional Technology and Software Education Specialist, Vonetta has over two decades of experience in education and training delivery using unique combinations of Educational Technology methodologies that go beyond the twenty-first-century learners’ needs; she is an enthusiastic, dedicated, and committed educator who understands and strives to motivate others to exceed their expectations.

Vonetta is a highly accomplished individual with an extensive background in education. She has a Master of Education in Adult Education and Training, Curriculum and Testing Development, Instructional Design, Educational Leadership, Six Sigma Lean, and Personal Coach. With over 60 certifications in the IT field; her certifications include Internet & Computer Core Certification (IC5), Adobe^® Master Suite, Microsoft^® Certified Professional & Expert M365, which has gained her the Microsoft^® Certification for MOS Expert and Master, Microsoft^® Certified Educator, Microsoft^® Service Adoption Specialist, and Microsoft^® Certified Trainer. Vonetta also holds instructor certifications in Microsoft, IC5, Adobe^® CS5.

Microsoft Live Events: The Essential Guide for Admins

Microsoft Live Events make it easier than ever for you to transform your virtual event into a reality! Equip yourself with the essential knowledge, techniques, and best practices necessary to create a successful Microsoft Live Event, ensuring that all aspects of the experience meet standards of excellence.

From small groups of customers or colleagues to large (albeit virtual!) international gatherings, Microsoft Live Events provide robust features and flexible options. With just a few steps, you can plan and host a fantastic Microsoft Live Event that participants will never forget!

Learning Outcomes:

• Get Insight into curating your event experience 
• Planning and scheduling a live event in Outlook or Teams 
• Learn best practices before, during, and after the event  
• Setting expectations for moderator, presenter, and attendee

Aliina Rowe

Aliina Rowe is a proud, experienced Executive Assistant who believes wholeheartedly in the unique and integral role of the Assistant when it comes to good, meaningful, and impactful organizational change. She is a certified change management practitioner and recently completed the Executive Diploma in Organizational Change from Warwick Business School with Distinction.

She has authored articles on the topic of organizational change in Executive Support Magazine, with a focus on how assistants are engaged in building foundations for change by creating nurturing, inspired and organized working environments alongside the executives and teams they support. In 2022, Aliina was selected to present her paper  “The Administrative Profession Defining a Role in Organizational Change “ at the World Administrators Summit. She has continued her involvement in the World Administrators Alliance Summit Task Force and is also a member of IMA Germany.

A lifelong learner, Aliina is equally passionate about empowering assistants to further their own personal development as well as connecting with each other for support. She is also a founding member of the Assistant network in her company, steering assistant-focused communications and activities.  

The Administrative Profession Defining a Role in Organizational Change

This session is grounded in research from a journey in the academic organizational change arena, learning from administrative experts, and meaningful interactions with assistants across the globe. During the session, we will discover ways the profession adds unique value in building foundations for change and will cover how administrative professionals are uniquely suited to engage in change within their organizations. We’ll delve into a new approach and framework to engage with change, inspired by the knowledge that it’s the SMALL things that matter as we go about managing change. We will see ways to start to engage with change by focusing on mindset, acquiring and assessing Information, leveraging information, and learning on the path of change.

There is a role for the administrative profession in building foundations for change within our organizations. We must commit to proactively using our skillset to engage in building strong foundations for change – not only for the organizations, teams, and leaders we support – but for our profession. This session will put you on the path to seeing yourself engaging in change in organizations in a new way.

Learning Outcomes:

• Learn how the admin role and skillset is uniquely suited to engage in organizational change.
• Establish concrete ways to proactively build foundations for change within your organization
• Put organizational change into context in your own organization.
• Understand your impact in organizational change when proactively using your skillset and viewing your role as essential in organizational change.

Cathy Harris

Internal Networks Expert | Executive PA | Author | International Trainer

Cathy Harris is Executive PA to the CEO of Discovery Invest, with over 40 years’ experience in the administrative profession. She was nominated South Africa’s National Secretary of the Year for 2006/2007, and authored “The Executive Secretary Guide to Creating an Internal Assistant Network.”

Cathy is the founder and Director of the Platinum Assistant Network – South Africa, a member of the World Administrators Alliance work force and contributor to the creation of the Global Skills Matrix. She headed up the Office Professionals of South Africa, (OPSA) National Awards for over 10 years, and was instrumental in formulating all the assignments and assessments for the OPSA CPD and Designations certifications which is now officially a South African SETA approved accreditation.

Having also held the role of Chairperson of Discovery’s internal network for many years she, and fellow EA Susan Engelbrecht, now co-manage the Discovery PA Centre of Excellence. Cathy has initiated various programs for the internal network, which includes the Discovery PA Centre of Excellence induction program, the Chartered PA program, and the National Certificate for Business Administration program.

Cathy is also one of four mentors on the Isipho Admin Bursary initiative, where previously disadvantaged young black South African women have an opportunity to train in the administrative profession.

Overcome the Silo Syndrome in Your Workplace by Connecting With Your Internal Network

Whether it was because of Covid, or from old habits formed over many years, working in isolation away from your work colleagues and peer groups can be the reason for limited creativity, the lack of spontaneous collaboration and the feeling of being “left out.”

Although working on your own certainly has its advantages it can limit your personal growth and unwittingly affect your self confidence and self-esteem. Having a group of like-minded individuals to turn to and connect with, has exponential advantages and great benefits for you as an Assistant in the ever-evolving work environments.

Learning Outcomes:

• This session will provide guidance to those who have unwittingly become disconnected from their peers and peer groups to realise the value of being both a recipient and a contributor of an internal network, or any network for that matter. We learn from and feed off the experiences and wisdom from those around us who face the exact same challenges as we do.
• As the new world requires that we remain constantly informed and equipped to deliver on ever-changing workplace structures and economic shuffles, being educated on an ongoing basis on the skills we need to navigate this way of work, is essential. Being connected positively to your network will give you the tools and the opportunity to be on top of your game.
• Having information at your fingertips, saves you time and gives you “brownie points” when having to answer to requests from your executive, as a network provides the complete “who’s who” in your organisation.

Christoffer Wahlberg

As a global educator, trainer and consultant, I believe the best way to engage on a consistent and effective level is through training and storytelling.  

My name is Christoffer Wahlberg; I am a storyteller and a specialist in disruptive communication who has worked for some of the most respected businesses in their field. 

I am proud to have helped some of the leading global brands like Hennessy, Krug, Dior, Sephora, Veuve Cliquot, and Belmond on their journey to create emotional impact through storytelling and experiences.

Death by Zoom Fatigue: How to Stand Out and Gain a Professional Advantage Through Improved Video Communication Skills

Let’s face it. The pandemic changed almost everything. Even now that most of the restrictions have been lifted, the majority of our professional interactions are done virtually.

As a result of not managing this change properly, zoom fatigue is now a thing. And it is having an immensely negative effect on how we collaborate, participate and how we are perceived professionally.

However, since we all face the same challenges, the impact we can have by making simple changes is tremendous.

Video conferencing and meetings are here to stay. Learn how to turn this into a personal advantage.

Learning Outcomes:

Simple techniques to improve the online presence for you and your colleagues based on:

• Visual appearance
• Content and engagement
• Delivery and storytelling

David Holland

The Business Co-Pilot

David Holland MBA is one of the most experienced coaches in the world. Following a successful career in engineering, logistics, aviation services and recruitment as manager, director, CEO and business owner in the UK, David began his international business coaching career in 2003.

Having now worked with clients in 37 countries, published over 45 books on business and personal development and shared the stage with some of the top names in the business, David is highly qualified to deliver unique programs and content to the benefit of his international clients.

Professionally trained in Australia, USA and UK and accredited by the International Business Coach Institute, David became one of the top performing coaches with ActionCOACH, the world’s largest business coaching organisation; winning a series of awards including Best Client Results and Coach of the Year.

With offices in the UK, Luxembourg and France, David and the team work with business owners, executives and their teams with clients ranging from leading investment banks and premiership football clubs to martial arts schools and recruiters.

Personally, David has been married to Lynn since 1986, has two fabulous boys, Jonathan and Richard along with Molly the labrador and Lucy the beagle.

Creativity and Innovation: Why We Avoid It and What to Do About It

Bringing a creative and innovative approach to our professional activities is becoming more critical to our own success and that of our organisations. There are some specific reasons we are not as creative as we’d like to be and some blockages that can be recognised and overcome.

This session will define some of the key challenges with creativity and innovation, give you a series of strategies you can take away and use to overcome them, and demonstrate the power of creative thinking in an inspirational, fun and engaging way.

We will cover

• The three reasons we are not as creative as we think
• How to think differently and loosen the constraints
• How to get your ideas introduced through innovation
• A case study in creativity from Canada.

Using stories and real-life examples, this session will be lively informative and fun – with a supporting booklet for you to take away and use too.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand what creativity is and why we tend to avoid it.
• How to develop a creative approach to problem solving.
• Strategies to bring creativity to life through innovation.
• How to use an outside perspective to generate the most creative ideas.

Kristine Valenzuela

Executive Strategist | Empowered Advocate | Frequent Podcast Guest

Kristine Valenzuela’s career has spanned over 25 years where she has established herself as a C-level Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff at organizations ranging from startups to publicly traded big tech companies. Kristine worked her way up from the lowest ranks of the corporate ladder and now enjoys speaking about the unique perspective she’s gained from witnessing decades of business dynamics. Having been immersed in what she calls the ‘best paid C-suite mentorship ever’, Kristine has become a strong advocate for EAs and Chiefs of Staff everywhere. She aims to ensure people at all levels understand admin positions can be far more powerful and have a bigger impact than business and societal standards lead them to believe.

Kristine is currently an Executive Assistant to a Senior Vice President of Engineering at Atlassian. A frequent traveler and food lover, Kristine resides in San Diego, California, USA with her daughters and a rescue dog.

Demystifying the C-Suite: Growing Comfortable with Executives and How To Level Up

Operating among executives can be intimidating but it doesn’t have to be. I will help break down common C-suite myths while explaining how our skill and value level up to that of executives.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand how to overturn common fears about the C-suite
• Discover practical tips on how to be less intimidated by people of power
• Learn why our skills level up to that of executives and how that knowledge can empower you

Carol Schulte

Leading Authority on Brave Leadership | International Keynote Speaker

An authority on brave leadership and founder of The Brave Institute, Carol Schulte has been educating, empowering, and entertaining audiences internationally for almost a decade. She is committed to getting you out of your comfort zone and into your B.R.A.V.E. Zone ~ where you show up more powerfully and get into action long before you feel ready.

She holds a BFA in Theatre Performance, an MA in Communication, two postgraduate certificates in coaching and mentoring, and has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies, International Associations, and thousands of leaders and individuals to get their brave on. Whether it be asking for a raise or promotion, nailing a presentation, or climbing Africa’s highest peak, her clients attribute her insights and inspiration to achieving what they never thought possible.

Carol is a published author, been featured in numerous magazines and podcasts, and is a returning guest expert on Rogers TV in Canada. Having lived and worked in 16 countries, she walks her talk and brings a global perspective to all she does. When she’s not traveling or speaking on stage, you can find her volunteering as a bereavement facilitator, training for her next triathlon, or practicing her serious carpool karaoke game!

It’s Okay To Not Be Okay: Debunk the Myths, Learn The Tools, and Feel Empowered to Change the Conversation Around Mental Health

No one likes talking about mental health. It’s stigmatized, it’s scary, and it’s anything but comfortable! It’s also very much misunderstood. And, whether you like it or not, its impact on our work and life is here to stay. It’s time to talk about it, and to talk about it more effectively. It’s also time to recognize the signs, learn the proper tools, and create safe spaces to make it okay to not be okay. As we navigate life post Covid, addressing mental health in the workplace is more important that ever. Studies show 80% of workers experience some type of mental health challenge – from stress to anxiety to a more serious diagnosis. And the cost to employers is an estimated thirty billion dollars annually. Brave conversations surrounding mental health are no longer a nice to have, they are a need to have. The more we talk about it, the more we can create safe, supportive workplaces for everyone to thrive.

Learning Outcomes:

• Learn about ‘brave conversations’ – and how to engage in them more effectively.
• Explore how certain mental health diagnoses present themselves, and the behaviours to look out for amongst colleagues, as well as yourself.
• Understand the power of active listening and how to elevate your EQ.
• Gain strategies to create workspaces where it really is ‘okay to not be okay.’

Em Stroud

Em Stroud is a superb speaker, clown and performer who speaks on a range of subjects including how laughter, fun, tools and ideas from the world of improvisation and clowning can impact business success and team performance as well as leadership.

She is a best-selling author, clown and successful entrepreneur who has been described as “innovative, witty, engaging and authentic” by Diva Magazines Sam Grierson.

Em explores the relationship between culture within organisations and the human element, how we can collaborate more successfully and shift our own personal choices when it comes to engagement, communication, impact and storytelling.  She has worked with a compelling list of teams and leadership groups in companies including Bloomberg, Bayer, Barclaycard and other firms that do not begin with a B including Airbus, King and Fisher German!

Laugh, Think and Play More for Business and Career Success

Do you want to laugh more, think more with kindness and play more? How can this help you feel better and therefore thrive even more? The session will be engaging, funny and thought-provoking!

Learning Outcomes:

• Simple and effective tools to encourage and enable more laughter and levity in the workplace that will help communication, collaboration and fun.
• Tools to help shift thinking to enable people to feel happier, less stressed and more resilient.
• The 12 different ways that adults play and how that informs how we work

Clodagh Beaty

As a people and organisational development specialist, Clodagh Beaty’s mission is to help organisations and leaders create and sustain a working environment where people look forward to going to work.

She helps leaders, teams and organisations create a culture and working environment aligned with their purpose, values and vision of the future.  Clodagh regularly designs and delivers training programmes focused on communication, cultural awareness and cultural change, leadership, personal and team effectiveness and happiness at work. 

Clodagh’s main objective in any programme or session she designs or delivers is to ensure that it is dynamic, and interactive and that there are plenty of practical tools and techniques people can use for an immediate positive impact in the workplace. She is a qualified Co-Active Coach, Institute of Leadership & Management Trainer and a certified trainer and Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Clodagh is also the co-creator of The Emotional Salary Barometer, a unique tool that helps individuals and organisations increase fulfilment and happiness at work. 

Using Your Emotional Salary to Make Better Career Decisions

In this session, we will be exploring the relationship between emotional salary and happiness and fulfilment at work. We’ll look at the 10 factors of emotional salary and I’ll share some everyday examples of the factors and how they can impact on our happiness and fulfilment at work. I’ll help you identify your current emotional salary and examine how it might be affecting how you feel about your work and career. Finally, I’ll share with you an easy-to-use framework you can use to help you make better career decisions and proactively plan your career path taking into account your Emotional Salary.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand what the ten factors of emotional salary are
• Explore the relationship between emotional salary and happiness and fulfilment at work
• Get an insight into your own emotional salary and how it is impacting your career
• Discover how to use your emotional salary to make better career decisions

Hana Gray

Hana Gray is the founder of The Office Management Group, a unique, specialist consultancy and space for office and administrative professionals worldwide via an online portal and course as well as the Awards and other initiatives. 

Underpinned by her core belief that offices and office personnel are the backbone of any business, Hana’s mission is to support, and ultimately empower, professionals across all aspects of office operations. Far beyond helping to build efficient and profitable office operations, the wider vision is to elevate, celebrate and recognise these amazing multi-tasking and multi-talented individuals and the office management profession as a whole.

Understanding Office Management and How to Excel

In this session, we’ll cover the fundamental responsibilities of office managers in typical SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises); what a typical day might involve and how you can excel in the position using tools and tech to your advantage.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the typical role of an office manager
• Learn the top skills and tips to help you to excel in the role
• Take away practical steps you can implement right away to increase organisation in your role

Sarah Howson

Sarah Howson is a PA/EA professional with over twenty years of C Suite level experience. She began her journey straight from university assisting the CEO of a small start-up semiconductor company, before moving to a FTSE250 international oil and gas support services company, where she supported both the CEO and the CFO.

Sarah’s talent for building relationships and connecting people, as well as her extensive EA experience was a great foundation for launching Strategic PA Recruitment.

Alongside Strategic PA Recruitment, Sarah also founded and manages the Strategic PA Network, a powerful PA network made up of industry professionals; a ready-made talent pool within the UK. Running the network and the recruitment agency side-by-side has created a powerful collaboration with truly unique advantages when it comes to sourcing the right person for the job.

C-Suite Skills: Elevating Your Toolkit

In today’s complex and competitive business landscape, having the skills to operate at a strategic level alongside your Executive is fundamental to having a successful career. This session will drill down on the C-Suite skills that form part of a high-performing Assistant’s toolkit. Framed against their Strategic Partnership Pillar model, Marianne and Sarah will spend the session discussing what it takes to make it as a C-Suite Assistant.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand what C-Suite Skills are in a high-performing EA’s Toolkit
• Identify potential development opportunities in your own C-Suite toolkit
• Receive actionable takeaways and resources for growth, learning and development

Marianne Whitlock

Prior to co-Founding Strategic PA Recruitment in 2019, Marianne was previously in Sales at a luxury Canadian train company and worked in the travel industry for over 15 years, specialising in client relationships and networking. Marianne has a passion for bringing people together and recognising strengths. Using her many years of experience working in close partnerships with a range of different stake holders Marianne is able to quickly forge strong connections and support others wherever she can. More recently Marianne has led and project managed several charity fundraising events. 

Marianne loves empowering people and helping them achieve their full potential. She believes the most fundamental building block for any business is the relationships we have with others. Along with Marianne’s attention to detail is an extensive network and she is well known for her professional, honest but fun approach. 

Marianne lives in Penn with her husband and four boys. She enjoys running and has completed multiple marathons and is due to undertake this year’s London Marathon for charity. She also has a passion for kickboxing, having gained 4 Black Belts and teaches it in her spare time.

C-Suite Skills: Elevating Your Toolkit

In today’s complex and competitive business landscape, having the skills to operate at a strategic level alongside your Executive is fundamental to having a successful career. This session will drill down on the C-Suite skills that form part of a high-performing Assistant’s toolkit. Framed against their Strategic Partnership Pillar model, Marianne and Sarah will spend the session discussing what it takes to make it as a C-Suite Assistant.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand what C-Suite Skills are in a high-performing EA’s Toolkit
• Identify potential development opportunities in your own C-Suite toolkit
• Receive actionable takeaways and resources for growth, learning and development

Amy McKeown

Award-winning Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategist

Amy McKeown is a strategic consultant, engaging speaker and respected writer within health, mental health, wellbeing and women’s health. Specialising in creating and delivering measurable strategies – which are both innovative and realistic – Amy coaches organisations of all sizes to educate, empower and change behaviours on an individual and systemic level.

With 20 years of varied experience, Amy has a proven yet highly original approach to her consultancy. She combines a clinical background, specialising in psychology, with deep subject matter expertise in mental health, occupational health, health analytics and health insurance. Not only does Amy have the ability to design strategic programmes, she also has the practical ability to implement them effectively.

Amy’s breadth of clients is similarly unique. From creating an award-winning strategy for corporate giant EY to writing a holistic wellbeing programme for a FTSE100, Amy also works with SME’s, vibrant start-ups and more recently governing bodies and parliaments.
Evidence of Amy’s experience can be found in her blogs and vlogs, which she shares monthly on LinkedIn to support peers within the industry. Sparking 100s of interactions on each post, her innovative solutions and somewhat controversial insights have truly shaken up the UK’s health, mental health and wellbeing scene – inspiring peers, organisations and exhibitions to rethink haphazard and unresearched approaches to mental health.

Interview: Workplace Health, Mental Health and Wellness

Amy McKeown is an award-winning Mental Health, Health & Wellbeing and Women’s Health consultant with more than 20 years of experience. In this wide-ranging interview with Lucy Brazier, Amy talks about spotting the signs of stress and burnout, actions to take to support better mental health and the importance of a robust mental health policy in the workplace. Amy will also touch on the differences in supporting men and women with their mental health and how can businesses ensure they are minimising the emotional impact of returning to the office or working in a hybrid environment on their staff.

Learning Outcomes:

• Spotting the signs of mental health issues in yourself and others
• Actions to take to support better mental health
• Items to consider when creating a mental health policy
• Actions to take to support your workforce in a hybrid working environment

Nick Ginsburg

EA | Mental Health Advocate | Founder, The Admin Collective

Nick Ginsburg is an avid believer that sharing knowledge is the key to success. That’s why he is a professional keynote speaker who shares his knowledge and life lessons with audiences worldwide.

Mental well-being is his key passion. Because of this, he started his podcast, the Open Drive. The podcast focuses on his childhood and how he broke the cycle of addiction and mental health struggles to create the life he wanted.

In 2020, he founded The Admin Collective to create a safe space for admin professionals to connect. The Admin Collective has a strong focus on shared learning where members meet, share, and learn together in a confidential and judgement-free community. With members worldwide, Nick is incredibly proud of this community.

Underpinning everything he does is a desire to increase mental well-being through shared stories, safe communities, and increased time to focus on self-care. He is incredibly passionate about mental health and is currently completing his Bachelor of Psychology.

Harnessing Your Personal Brand

Personal branding isn’t just about going on LinkedIn or being a thought leader. It’s how you show those around you who you are. We already have a personal brand. If you are not sure what yours is, it’s time to take charge and harness your true authentic brand. In this session, Nick will show you how to live authentically, harness your authenticity into a personal brand, and how to live and breathe your brand in both your personal and professional life to further your career.

Learning Outcomes:

• Strong understanding of the foundations for living authentically 
• How to create your personal brand based on authenticity 
• How to harness your personal brand to further your career.

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Sarah Richson

HR Expert | Coach | Speaker

Sarah Richson is an expert in growth strategy, international business and human capital strategies with deep experience of talent architecture and management within the African terrain.  

Sarah has held highly complex roles with a global scope of leadership overseeing 20+ geographies across UK, USA, Asia and Africa. She demonstrates deep passion and expertise in fast-growth companies, successfully transforming unstructured environments into organised high-performing space through policy and governance.  

Sarah’s expertise is multi-dimensional and includes years as a leadership development professional, culture specialist and HR consultant working on both European and local African assignments. She is recognized as a prolific speaker and trainer who advocates for empowering lives of local communities with inspirational mentorship programs.

Building Respectful Workplaces through Diversity and Inclusion

For organisations that are committed to embracing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), it’s not just something we say. It’s not just something we write about. It’s something we think about, know, embrace and implement. It is what we believe in, unconditionally. DEI means creating a fair working environment that provides opportunities for all. DEI is the acknowledgement that certain advantages and barriers exist and that these barriers have prevented certain vulnerable groups from involvement and advancement in many areas within the workplace. DEI is fostered by enabling a respectful workplace environment free from bullying and harassment. This session will help unpack this subject.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand Diversity and Inclusion
• Creating safe workplaces through respectful conversations
• Fostering respectful behaviors

Harnessing Your Personal Brand

Personal branding isn’t just about going on LinkedIn or being a thought leader. It’s how you show those around you who you are. We already have a personal brand. If you are not sure what yours is, it’s time to take charge and harness your true authentic brand. In this session, Nick will show you how to live authentically, harness your authenticity into a personal brand, and how to live and breathe your brand in both your personal and professional life to further your career.

Learning Outcomes:

• Strong understanding of the foundations for living authentically 
• How to create your personal brand based on authenticity 
• How to harness your personal brand to further your career.

Hilary Maxwell

With a nursing career spanning 14 years, including several roles as Matron, Hilary Maxwell is currently a Gynae-Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist at Dorset County Hospital Foundation Trust. She previously worked for BBC North and was Director at a GP practice responsible for change, transformation and people management. Her charitable experience includes establishing the Jill Dando Fund with radio and television presenter, Nick Ross and working as Executive Director at The National Endometriosis Society (now Endometriosis UK).

Passionate about improving the lives of women with gynaecological cancers, she co-founded GO Girls in 2015, to ensure all women and their families receive grassroots support at every step of their difficult journey. She is also a regular speaker on the international conference circuit on women’s health and gynaecological cancers.    

Hilary is a member of the British Gynaecological Cancer Society (BGCS) & Chair of the Nursing Sub-Group 

Volunteer of the Year 2019/Charity Today Awards 

Oncology Nurse of the Year 2020

In 2020 on International Women’s Day, Hilary was awarded a Points of Light award by the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

The Menopause: Supporting Female Employees in the Workplace

The menopause is something every woman will experience Menopause symptoms can be both physical and mental, including exhaustion, memory loss, headaches, joint pain and hot flushes, to name a few. Yet while over half of women experiencing the menopause have reported finding work difficult during it, many feel unable to seek support. This session encourages both male and female employees to have a more open culture around menopause, so that women can feel supported and able to voice their needs. Through improved awareness and understanding, female employees can better manage the impact of their menopause and not feel embarrassed or afraid to speak up about their experiences. Struggling with menopause symptoms without support can negatively impact women in the workplace, potentially causing isolation, reducing productivity and increasing the need for time off sick. By giving focus to the menopause, you can show both male and female employees that your organisation has an open, supportive culture. Menopause is different for everyone, so while some work adjustments may need to be temporarily made, for many women just knowing their employer’s door is open will reduce feelings of stigma and the risk of suffering in secret.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understanding the menopause and its signs and symptoms
• How the menopause can impact work
• Solutions for the workplace

Nicky Christmas

Founder of Practically Perfect PA and The EA Campus

Nicky Christmas is the Founder and Editor of Practically Perfect PA (PPPA), which she launched whilst working full-time as an Executive Assistant to the COO and CFO of a global insurance organisation.  What started as a creative outlet for her quickly turned into a place Assistants came to find advice, guidance and community.  Nicky was thrilled by how quickly the community grew and in 2013 she was able to take PPPA from a side-hustle to a full-time business that supported her growing family. In 2015 PPPA held its first event and has been training Assistants through physical events and online courses ever since.  PPPA continues to grow and evolve, just like the Assistants who make up the PPPA tribe!

Understanding your Executive’s objectives, the strategy of the business and where you can add value

In this session, Nicky will look at the importance of Assistants understanding and working toward the objectives of their Executive. She will discuss how Assistants can add value to their organisations and contribute to the business’s strategic objectives.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Develop a clear understanding of your Executive’s objectives: After attending this presentation, participants will be able to analyse and identify their Executive’s objectives, including short-term and long-term goals. They will learn how to align their work and support with their Executive’s objectives, enabling them to contribute to their Executive’s success proactively.
2. Gain insights into the strategy of the business: Participants will learn about the strategic direction of their organisation, including the key business objectives, initiatives, and challenges. They will understand how their role as an Assistant fits into the bigger picture of the organisation’s strategy and how they can align their work to support the strategic goals of the business.
3. Identify opportunities to add value: Attendees can identify areas where they can add value as an Assistant beyond their regular tasks. They will learn to proactively seek opportunities to contribute to the business’s strategic objectives and provide innovative solutions to challenges. Participants will also gain insights into how they can leverage their skills, knowledge, and relationships to add value and become a trusted strategic partner to their Executive and the organisation as a whole.

Melba J Duncan

Leadership Intelligence Expert

Melba J. Duncan is the Founder and President of The Duncan Group, Inc., a retained search and consulting firm.  Since 1985, the firm has been advising CEOs and other corporate leaders regarding specialized senior management support resources. The firm operates internationally and offers expertise in four practice areas:  recruitment, organizational consulting, coaching and executive-level training for administrative staff, with a focus on C-suite strategic executive management assistants.

 Melba is also the Founder and CEO of the Duncan Leadership Institute, which offers a targeted curriculum solution for multiple tiers of administrative support staff. She has also authored numerous articles, including the now classic, “The Case for Executive Assistants,” featured in the May 2011 Issue of the Harvard Business Review (HBR), and interview “What Executive Assistants Know About Managing Up” was published in the Harvard Business Review in 2014.   

A highly sought-after public speaker, Melba travels globally to address diverse audiences with a focus on the professional executive assistant as an acknowledged strategic business partner, with management, leadership and strategic support skills as the foundation for this transformed role, on the path to Chief of Staff.  She conducts extensive workshops worldwide on leadership and management for the professional executive assistant.    

An active participant in her field, Melba is member of The Seraphic Society and a Vice President of C-Suite Executive Support Professionals (C-SESP), a not-for-profit global organization that distinguishes the role of the C-suite executive support professional as a strategic business partner. 

Interview: Post-Covid Insights, The New World of Work & Futureproofing the Role of the Assistant with Lucy Brazier OBE

Melba Duncan & Lucy Brazier OBE deliver a jam-packed interview session, where they share their insights and expertise on the administrative profession once again. Melba & Lucy discuss new trends in the profession, they dive into the Chief of Staff role and the importance of truly understanding what a Chief of Staff is, and they also share impressions and experiences on the new world of work post-Covid from the last three years.

Claire Derrick

Claire Derrick is a founding director and academy principal of  Event Academy. She studied at the University of Greenwich and New Hampshire College in Massachusetts, USA. She began her UK career as an Assistant and event organiser with the Duchess of York’s charity, Children in Crisis, planning and implementing special occasions with Royalty. She also held the position of Head of National Fundraising at a UK-wide charity, where she recruited and managed a team of fundraisers and introduced many new fundraising concepts.

Now a member of the Association of Event Managers, Claire is a contributing journalist for the London and UK Datebook. She has worked in an event management or consultancy capacity for clients in the USA, UK, Europe, China, Peru, Israel, Nepal and Vietnam.  

An Introduction to Event Management

A lively session with Claire Derrick and Rosie Ham, who will teach you the foundations of being a successful event organiser.

Whether you love being creative or organised (or both), or you like every working day being different, this session with event training experts Claire Derrick and Rosie Ham will teach you everything you need to know to get started on your path to successful event management.

You will learn about the cornerstones of every live or online event, and how they make up the foundations of a successful experience – whether it’s a meeting, festival, corporate event, or a charity fundraiser.

You will discover that all events follow a journey; they must have a beginning, a middle and an end. The best event planners know the importance of challenging yourself, and how to tap into your working style (and that of others) to create experiences that really wow attendees and exceed expectations.

Learning Outcomes:

In this session, you will learn: 

• the roles & responsibilities of an event planner 
• the event journey and how can it benefit you  
• the basics of strategic event planning 
• the basics of operational event planning 

• insight into sectors and jobs 

Rosie Ham

Rosie Ham holds a BA degree from Griffith University in Australia and the University of Waterloo in Canada. She began her career in Brisbane, working for a leading events agency producing creative experiences for clients throughout Australia and Asia.  After a short contract at the Sydney Olympics for SOCOG, Rosie moved to a Sydney agency and expanded her remit to cover global programs in sectors including pharmaceuticals, retail, law, finance and telecoms.  In 2004, she moved to the UK, leading successful in-house teams in the media and financial services sectors and producing a wide variety of projects such as large-scale conferences, C-suite events and corporate engagement programs, as well as writing and delivering training seminars.

Rosie now works as a freelancer, producing live and virtual events across sectors including publishing and financial services. She is a course director and senior lecturer in event management for The Event Academy, and also designs and delivers training courses on essential soft skills. Rosie is passionate about producing unique experiences, delivering on complex programs and inspiring a team to succeed together!

An Introduction to Event Management

A lively session with Claire Derrick and Rosie Ham, who will teach you the foundations of being a successful event organiser.

Whether you love being creative or organised (or both), or you like every working day being different, this session with event training experts Claire Derrick and Rosie Ham will teach you everything you need to know to get started on your path to successful event management.

You will learn about the cornerstones of every live or online event, and how they make up the foundations of a successful experience – whether it’s a meeting, festival, corporate event, or a charity fundraiser.

You will discover that all events follow a journey; they must have a beginning, a middle and an end. The best event planners know the importance of challenging yourself, and how to tap into your working style (and that of others) to create experiences that really wow attendees and exceed expectations.

Learning Outcomes:

In this session, you will learn: 

• the roles & responsibilities of an event planner 
• the event journey and how can it benefit you  
• the basics of strategic event planning 
• the basics of operational event planning 

• insight into sectors and jobs 

Lisa Nunn

Lisa Nunn is a partner in the Commercial Strategy team, supporting the delivery of Knight Frank’s key strategic priorities. Lisa leads on the management of the Commercial Business Support Operational and Executive Support network.

The purpose of the network is to retain and recruit the best, most diverse, administrative talent by creating an employee experience where people feel included and empowered to fulfil their potential with a clearer career framework. The ambition is for everyone to have new opportunities to broaden their experience and invest in personal development.
 

Lisa also focuses on utilising the network to optimise efficiencies and support the successful delivery of operational projects across the business, contributing to the business strategy and is a member of the Health and Wellbeing Balance Group.

Interview: The Inspiring Journey of Bringing Change to Knight Frank’s Assistants

Lisa & Christy have done incredible work at their company Knight Frank and in this inspiring interview with our CEO Lucy Brazier OBE, they share:

• their motivation for improving the way assistants work at Knight Frank
• their vision, goals, obstacles, setbacks and achievements throughout their entire journey
• the benefits of having an internal network
• and why they are hopeful for the future of the assistant role.