REACH - A Podcast for Executive Assistants

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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