The Admin Spotlight: Behind the Front Desk

Annie Croner is an executive assistant coach, trainer, and strategic thinker. She loves to help her clients unlock their badassery, and revolutionize their careers. Over her 20 year career as an executive assistant, Annie worked for boutique companies across multiple industries including accounting, marketing, nonprofit, and private wealth management. Working in a variety of settings has led to a diverse understanding of the assistant role and the many challenges that often come with it. Annie is passionate about helping those in support roles show up more strategically and garner the respect of their executives, colleagues, and key stakeholders without sacrificing their mental health and well-being.

Ruth Kilah is a career coach and international keynote speaker. She specializes in helping experienced Executive Assistants accelerate into higher-level roles, amplify their earning potential, and expand their professional impact. As Founder & CEO of Ruth Kilah, EA Career Coaching & Mentoring , she has coached hundreds of Executive Assistants globally to secure promotions, transition into dream roles, and create career paths that once felt out of reach. Her work and insights have also been featured in The CEO Magazine and HR Leader. Whether looking to step into a more strategic role, increase earning potential, strengthen professional brand, or create a clear progression plan, her mission is simple: to help Executive Assistants stop being overlooked and start being recognized for the value they bring. For our listeners, Ruth has provided a free resource: "How to Sell Your Impact as an Executive Assistant". Check it out at https://www.ruthkilah.com/offers/PwbgwDPr/checkout

Kim Madrid, CAP, is an experienced administrative professional and currently serves as Associate Managing Director of the Executive Office and Administrative Team at the University of New Mexico Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting higher education through philanthropic investment. In this role, Kim supports the CEO and manages a team of administrative professionals, ensuring seamless executive operations and fostering collaboration across the organization. Kim also contributes to the Foundation’s leadership group, helping shape internal strategy and team development. She is deeply committed to advancing the administrative profession through mentorship, visibility, and professional development. Since earning her CAP credential through the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), Kim has focused on empowering others to recognize their value and pursue meaningful growth in their administrative careers.

Jodie Mears is a C-Suite Executive Assistant, speaker, and career coach with over 23 years of experience supporting senior global leadership across tech, infrastructure, and aviation. Currently based at Bentley Systems, she partners directly with executive leadership on governance, operations, and strategic alignment. Recognised as a LinkedIn Top Voice and Digital Woman to Watch 2025, Jodie helps assistants turn quiet work into visible impact through her mentoring programme, Aspire & Achieve, bespoke training for corporate teams, keynotes and panel discussions at events, workshops, and roundtable facilitation on visibility, personal branding, and leadership for assistants. She’s a Fellow of the Institute of Administrative Management (IAM), a Mental Health First Aider, and Advisory Board Member for The PA Show UK. Her frameworks and strategies are used by assistants worldwide to transition from reactive support to recognised partnership.

Lisa J. Huntley is an accomplished Executive Assistant and Project Coordinator with more than 25 years of experience supporting C-suite leaders in the aerospace, defense, and cyber technology industries. Known for her precision, professionalism, and people-first approach, Lisa has built her career on creating order, connection, and impact behind the scenes of complex organizations. From coordinating global executive travel and board meetings to managing company-wide events and high-stakes projects, Lisa thrives where detail and diplomacy meet. Her experience spans industry leaders such as Raytheon Technologies, Camber Corporation, and Computer World Systems Corporation, where she has been the trusted right hand to senior executives and project teams

Hannah L. Goddard is an administrative professional who has spent her career supporting senior leaders across government, defense, and private industry. Her work has taken her from the Pentagon to Princeton University, from a helicopter manufacturing company in Michigan to the Veterans Benefits Administration in Washington, DC. Hannah's career includes supporting the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, where she coordinated with officials across the Department of Defense, Congress, and the White House. She has also served as Executive Assistant to CEOs in the maritime strategy and aerospace sectors, and provided critical support to the Director of Congressional Affairs at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

As a Senior Executive Assistant at Spotify with 26 years of experience supporting senior executives and navigating the dynamics of high-stakes environments, Scot brings a distinctive blend of professionalism, discretion, and approachability to every role. He is proud to be a career Executive Assistant and believes that true excellence in this profession extends far beyond strong calendar and complex logistics management. For him, the foundation of being an exceptional EA rests on three core pillars: emotional intelligence, compassion, and empathy.

With over 26 years at Ernst & Young, currently as a Senior Executive Assistant, Tasha brings extensive experience in client services. Her role involves partnering with teams to ensure seamless administrative coordination and effective communication across various functions. With a commitment to transformative leadership and collaboration, supported by EY's Teaming Bronze certification, she contributes to a culture of operational excellence and innovation. Driven by teamwork and organizational success, she aims to empower their colleagues and support the firm's mission of building a better working world.

Senior leaders operate in environments where judgement matters and noise is constant. The work supoorting them is rarely visible, and that's what Shireen love about servant leadership It is about structuring information, clarifying priorities, so that sound decisions can emerge. Executive capacity is finite and protecting it is operational discipline. Shireen's background in dance and teaching shaped an instinct for timing and structure. Pressure reveals whether there is form underneath. Business is no different. Administrative roles are often described as support. In reality they contain project management, risk awareness and quiet decision shaping. Making that structure visible, particularly for other assistants, has become a parallel interest in her short course, The Project Admin. Curious about organizational design, movement and how AI will alter knowledge work. Preferring plain language over performance. Serious about the work, chilled about the rest.

Jennifer Star is a highly sought after recruiter specializing in Executive Personal support for founders, CEOs ,C-suite, and UHNWIs. She has spent 27 years representing high level Talent in the Administrative operations field. Jennifer describes her purpose as being a catalyst to educate and prepare women for a seamless and successful job search at all stages of their administrative career and to represent C-Level Administrative Talent in their job search.

Connie Messina is a seasoned Executive Assistant at Grant Thornton Australia, based in Brisbane, Queensland. With over two decades of experience in executive support, administration management, and stakeholder engagement, Connie is known for her strategic thinking, polished communication, and unwavering professionalism. Her career spans roles in marketing, administration, and executive coordination, culminating in her long-standing tenure at Grant Thornton, where she plays a pivotal role in supporting senior leadership and driving operational excellence. Connie’s dedication to continuous learning is reflected in her completion of a Mini MBA through the Australian Institute of Management, alongside certifications in holistic counselling and leadership development. Beyond her corporate achievements, Connie serves as the Queensland Division President of the Australian Institute of Office Professionals (AIOP). In this capacity, she champions the recognition and advancement of office professionals, fostering community, collaboration, and professional growth across the sector. Her leadership has been instrumental in the successful relaunch of AIOP Queensland, where she has curated engaging events and built strong partnerships with sponsors and stakeholders. Connie’s commitment to excellence was nationally recognised when she received the 2023 Executive Excellence Award from the Australian Assembly of Administrators. Her ability to lead with empathy, organize with precision, and inspire with authenticity makes her a standout figure in both the corporate and professional development spheres.

Elizabeth Sutkowska is the Founder and President of Assistologist, Poland's first association for Executive Assistants, dedicated to redefining leadership support. We are a movement with Polish Roots and a Global Mindset. Elizabeth is a trailblazing Executive Assistant with 15+ years of international experience, supporting leaders in corporations and startups. Graduate of five universities, advocate for modern EA practices.