Public Sector Executive Assistant Congress agenda

Realm Hotel, Canberra – 2-3 August 2017

	Conference day one – Wednesday 2 August
08.30	Registration
09.00	Opening remarks from the chair
09.10	Keynote address: The valuable role executive assistants are playing to support the Australian government
	The Australian public sector’s view on the role of executive assistant What should the ‘ideal’ EA bring to the Public Sector Realising the important role of EAs
	Admiral Chris Barrie, Former Chief of the Defence Force, Australian Defence Force;Adjunct Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University
09.55	Relationship dynamics – A collaborative mindset
	Public Sector V Private Sector mindset Providing strategic support to build collaborative partnerships with your executives, colleagues and community Formal roles and opportunities for all in ‘the value gap’
	Sue Miller, Executive Assistant to CEO & Mayor, Mount Barker District Council
10.50	Morning Tea
11.10	Dealing with competing priorities and changing demands
	Prioritising multiple tasks Exploring strategies to determine top priorities and balance priorities Responding to unexpected circumstances Preparing yourself to accommodate urgent priorities Maintaining focus to commit to established goals for the day Handling unrealistic deadlines
	Elizabeth Butler, Executive Assistant to Secretary, Department of Health
11.55	Panel discussion: Positioning yourself to maximise influence in the organisation
	Changing people’s perception of EA How to deal with stereo types and people saying “you are just an EA”? Gaining respect from executives and co-workers Managing up and expanding your role Supporting organisational objectives and needs
	Georgina McIntyre, Executive Assistant to A/g First Assistant Secretary, Department of Parliamentary Services Casey-Marie De Veau, Executive Assistant to Assistant Secretary, Transnational Crime Branch, Attorney-General’s Department Christine Sullivan, Executive Assistant to the Commonwealth Ombudsman, Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman Catherine Allen, Executive Assistant to the General Manager, Clean Energy Regulator Nicki Brigandi, Executive Assistant to Executive Director Science and Director State Research Coordination, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources SA Jessica Backhouse, Executive Assistant to Chief Defence Scientist, Department of Defence
12.40	Lunch
13.40	Implementing communication strategies to boost engagement
	Interacting with senior executives to get a clear understanding of their expectations and needs Identifying your senior executive’s communication preferences Managing upwards – being assertive but not rude Facilitating communication on behalf of your boss Communicating effectively with senior executives on their busy days
	Ursula Kohler, Managing Director, Capital EA
14.25	Strategies for purpose, mindfulness, and resilience
	How we Define Ourselves – our narrative and purpose Acknowledging strengths and also habitual mindset and patterns A whole body approach Practical mindfulness and resilience techniques The Difference a Coherent Mind makes
	Roslyn Williams, Senior Consultant IECL; Associate, MGSM
15.00	Afternoon Tea
15.40	Panel discussion: Transitioning your career path
	Discussing opportunities and barriers to overcome for EAs’ career development and progression Career development challenges and opportunities under work level standards in the public sector Setting up career goals to determine the next stage of your career EA as a professional career path Building your career step by step
	Linda Viskovic, Executive Assistant to Deputy Secretary, Department of Planning and Environment NSW Noela Burton, Executive Assistant to Vice-Chancellor and President, University of the Sunshine Coast Sylvia Tobler, Stakeholder Liaison Officer, Department of Education and Training Ellen Scott, Policy Officer, Early Learning Team, Department of Education and Training
16.20	Networking: how to make genuine and useful connections without feeling intimidated or overwhelmed
	Recognise networking opportunities Stop networking dread and start enjoying it (Really!) Techniques and tips to develop networking skills How to avoid the three traps of trying to influence without authority Meet other EAs in and out of your department
	Zoë Routh, Leadership Speaker, Trainer and Adventurist, Author of COMPOSURE and MOMENTS
17.00	Networking drinks reception – take advantage of this exciting opportunity to put your newly learned networking skills to practice

	Conference day two – Thursday 3 August 2017
9.00	Opening remarks from the chair
09.10	Navigating diverse personalities and thinking styles in the workplace
	Building your interpersonal skills to enhance your self-awareness Recognising and adapting to personality types and working styles in others Responding to difficult personalities and uncomfortable situations
	Abby Rees, Executive Coach and Director, PUNK PD
09.55	Panel discussion: Mentor and mentee – effective mentoring and coaching
	Seizing career mentoring opportunities for senior EAs Building a strong mentor and mentee relationship The art of mentoring for a mutual beneficial relationship
	Leanne Cotton, Executive Assistant to First Assistant Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Nicole Hoffman, Executive Assistant to First Assistant Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Linda Viskovic, Executive Assistant to Deputy Secretary, Department of Planning and Environment NSW Grace Lamey, Talent Manager, Pacific Talent Partners
10.40	Morning Tea
11.10	Unleash the power of Outlook to be more productive
	Do you find you are too busy to get everything done in one day? Do priorities constantly shift? Is your Inbox or your Executive’s Inbox leading a life of its own? Do you need to increase productivity? Do you want to know some EA/PA specific tips in Outlook to help you save time? If you have answered ‘Yes’ to at least one of these, you will get great value from this impactful presentation and you find out how you can get on top of things and use your Outlook more effectively to help you manage your workload and increase your productivity.
	Mario Halouvas, National Learning & Development Manager, Priority Management Australia
12.10	Interactive roundtables for personal growth and development
	These inspiring roundtable discussion will enable you to discuss and exchange ideas with other fellow EAs from different government departments. Make a difference from today on: Crafting Your Professional Identity: How to create a professional identity that enhances your career, reputation and wellbeing – Abby Rees, Executive Coach and Director, PUNK PD Effective Minute taking in Meetings: Explore tips and techniques to capture effective minutes for all the different types of meetings you attend – Mario Halouvas, National Learning & Development Manager, Priority Management Australia Influencing: taking ownership and exerting influence at your workplace – Zoë Routh, Leadership Speaker, Trainer and Adventurist, Author of COMPOSURE and MOMENTS Collaboration: collaborating with other EAs, executives and colleagues across business portfolio – Sue Miller, Executive Assistant to CEO & Mayor, District Council of Mt Barker Managing up: managing your manager – Grace Lamey, Talent Manager, Pacific Talent Partners
12.55	Lunch
14.00	Keeping on top of technological developments to facilitate quality work
	Mastering the challenge- if your Executive is a technical whiz or IT luddite Technologies to engage with and collaborate with your Executive Cyber security in today’s workplace and the EA’s role in protecting critical data
	Ian McKenzie, A/g First Assistant Secretary, Information Services Division, Department of Parliamentary Services
14.45	Panel discussion: From executives’ perspective – Building mutual respect and strategic partnerships with executive assistants
	What are the skills of the role as executive assistant that bosses are looking for? What are executives’ expectations and needs on EAs? Assisting the boss with key performance indicators Getting advice from your executive assistant What is the line between professional and personal?
	Ross Hawkins, Chief of Staff to the Secretary, Department of Health Kylie Perrin, Assistant Secretary, Department of Health Ian McKenzie, A/g First Assistant Secretary, Information Services Division, Department of Parliamentary Services Chris Collett, Assistant Secretary, Transnational Crime Branch, Attorney-General’s Department
15.30	Closing remarks from the chair and end of confernce