EA PROFILE
You’ ve taken an unconventional path from EA to business owner. Tell us about that journey. I started in sports administration at 19 with the Australian Olympic Committee, which gave me incredible foundational skills – everything from typing dictaphone recordings to coordinating events and managing stakeholders from board members to athletes. I was there five and a half years and even attended the Athens Olympics in an administrative support role.
After the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, I moved into my first proper EA role supporting two VPs at a tech company. Initially it was transactional( travel, expenses, the usual) but I grew into overseeing reception and working with our APAC marketing team on conferences and events.
Six years ago, while working as a C-suite EA in Sydney, I spotted a gap. Senior executives needed quality support but not always full-time, while talented women returning from maternity leave wanted flexibility. So I launched The Well- Suited Group. We now have seven team members providing fractional, flexible executive support across Australia.
How does it work? We’ re true business partners with full access to emails and calendars, acting as trusted advisors rather than just administrators. We focus on process improvement, creating systems, problem-solving to increase efficiency. It’ s about being an extension of the executive – anticipating needs, managing priorities, staying two steps ahead.
Working across different industries and sectors exposes us to so much more than working for one company. We’ re also challenging outdated perceptions about the 9-to-5 structure, proving you can deliver exceptional support with flexible arrangements.
How has technology, particularly AI, changed how you work? ChatGPT is basically my personal EA! It’ s invaluable for structuring reports, creating procedural documents, comparing documents and research. I’ m constantly testing new AI and automation tools, especially for note-taking and project management.
But technology won’ t replace the human elements, like emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, judgement and building trust. As routine tasks become automated, these human skills become even more valuable.
You’ ve won some impressive awards. What do they mean to you? In 2021, I won the Visionary Award at the Australian Admin Awards, and this year the MidCoast Business Awards’ Outstanding Business Leader. They validate what we’ re doing; challenging outdated workplace standards and advocating for flexible roles, particularly for women in regional communities.
But honestly, my biggest achievement is the cultural shift we’ re driving. We need to change the perception that we’ re‘ just an EA.’ We’ re strategic business partners who bring insight, influence, and operational strength to leadership.
What’ s your typical day like? There’ s no typical day! Mornings start with calendar reviews and checking overnight emails, ensuring briefing notes are ready for meetings. I might join team meetings to capture actions, delegate tasks, or workshop solutions with my team.
Depending on the time of year, we’ re planning everything from boardroom lunches to staff conferences. The variety is what I love. One day it’ s helping with a board presentation, the next it’ s sourcing a venue for an offsite.
How do you manage work-life balance, especially after relocating regionally? Moving to the Mid North Coast of NSW was life-changing. I work condensed hours, mostly Monday to Thursday from home, only travelling to Sydney when needed. Having flexibility around family commitments with my toddler Hugo has been invaluable.
I’ m getting better at boundaries. We might start with an early beach walk with the dog. I play tennis twice a week, do Pilates and recently started leaving my phone in another room from 7.30pm. I’ ve always struggled with putting my own needs before work. It’ s a work in progress!
What’ s the best career advice you’ ve received, or wish you’ d heard earlier? Use your voice. Asking questions, speaking up, offering perspective isn’ t overstepping – it’ s contributing. The best EAs don’ t wait to be told; they anticipate, challenge, and help drive outcomes. I spent years thinking I needed permission to contribute strategically. The sooner you recognise the value you bring and lean into that influence, the more impact you’ ll have.
What will the EA role look like in 25 years? I see more fractional and project-based executive support, with assistants operating like business partners or chiefs of staff on demand. We’ ll combine digital capability with human judgement and strategic insight that technology can’ t replace. The rise of AI means our value will increasingly lie in emotional intelligence, relationship building and strategic thinking. The administrative tasks will be automated but the human connection and business partnership aspects will become even more crucial.
What’ s your ultimate career goal? Continue growing The Well-Suited Group while advocating for flexible career opportunities in administration. I want to keep sharing knowledge through speaking engagements and mentoring. And I’ d love to start a podcast … Just need to find the time!
Any advice for Executive PA readers? Your success as an EA comes down to the relationship with your executive. You might be highly capable but without trust and mutual respect, it won’ t work. When you get that relationship right, you have a front-row seat to how businesses really run. That teaches you to think commercially, communicate effectively, and lead with empathy and foresight. S
Spring Issue 2025 | Executive PA 25