7th Public Sector Executive Assistant Congress – Agenda

16-17 November 2022; QT Hotel Canberra

Conference Day One – Wednesday 16 November

8.30 Registration

9.00 Opening remarks from the chair

9.10 Communicating clearly and constructively with your executive, colleagues, and clients

Identifying the different personality types of each individual
Approaching every conversation with a productive and professional attitude
Preparing for communication challenges across new cultures and organisations
Sharing your thoughts and ideas in an efficient and clear way
Valuing your own expertise and value as an active participant in professional communications

Madeline Bonfini, Director, RD Consulting

9.55 The EA of the Future: Futureproof your EA Career

Leveraging your existing skills as an EA
Discovering your personal “zone of genius”
Building strategies to mitigate a climate of uncertainty
Understanding how to incorporate a low risk dual strategy to Futureproof your EA Career

Ingrid Bayer, Australia’s Success Coach for EAs, VA Institute of Australia

10.40 Morning coffee

11.10 Panel Discussion: Practicing leadership as an EA without positional authority

Knowing your responsibilities and entitlements as a core support for your executive
Establishing a strong rapport with your executive and colleagues as an equal
Standing your ground when others unfairly dismiss your input
Taking your vital role within the organisation seriously as a modern EA
Laura-Jane Bourne, Executive Assistant, Australian Financial Security Authority
Mary-Elizabeth Denmark, Executive Assistant, Macquarie University
Tracy Coutts, Executive Assistant, Australian Climate Service
Jillian Gilmartin, Executive Assistant to First Assistant Secretary, Service Delivery, Department of Defence

11.55 Managing potential conflict and finding solutions in the modern workplace

Highlighting the role of EAs in the Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous world
Knowing what behavioural dynamics are operating and how to let go of frustrations
Building understanding before conflict becomes unacceptable
Developing strong and respectful relationships to support constructive discussion
Identifying the importance of constructive conflict in joint problem solving

Kim Vella, Founder and Chief Coach, Kim Vella Coaching

12.40 Lunch

13.40 Managing your time effectively to support your executive

Identifying the high priority tasks for your principal
Arranging your working day according to your needs and strengths
Communicating with your executive and colleagues to perfect your workflow
Identifying the value of rest and recovery now for better outcomes tomorrow

Jess Bath, Executive Assistant to Deputy Secretary, Higher Education and Skills, Victoria Department of Education and Training

14.25 Panel Discussion: Identifying the responsibilities and opportunities of the modern EA

Dispelling out-dated assumptions about your place in the organisation
Articulating the scope of your work clearly to reduce misunderstandings
Enforcing healthy boundaries to work effectively with your colleagues
Challenging the gendered assumptions of EA work
Championing the irreplaceable EA—you!

Shannon Edwards, Executive Assistant to the COO, Attorney-General’s Department
Sharna Lawler, Executive Assistant to Director Health Intelligence Unit, Western NSW Local Health District
Natalie Apostoloska, Executive Assistant to the Chief Digital Officer, Australian Digital Health Agency
Jess Bath, Executive Assistant to Deputy Secretary, Higher Education and Skills,Victoria Department of Education and Training

15.10 Afternoon tea

15.30 Becoming a change champion in your workplace

Utilising the EA position and skillset to motivate organisational change
Anticipating future shifts and emerging needs to prepare early
Managing stress and uncertainty in a changing world
Developing a flexible and resilient approach to change

Megan Ross, Director, Blend Studio

16.15 Senior Exec Panel: Understanding the skills and features of an exceptional EA

Identifying the most useful support that an EA can provide
Comparing the support provided by EAs in the past to EAs today
Addressing the key concerns around working with a senior executive
Creating a high-performance team between an EA and their executive

Carol Cote, Assistant Secretary Finance, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts

Cameron Gifford, Chief Operating Officer, Attorney-General’s Department

Tony Castley, Chief Information Officer/Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts

Stephen Alexander, GM National Security and Space, Business Solutions Group, Bureau of Meteorology

17.00 End of conference day one

Conference day 2 – Thursday 17 November

8.30 Registration

9.00 Opening remarks from the chair

9.10 Discovering the 10 Secrets to Becoming a Superstar EA

Leveraging your Strengths and thinking strategically
Uncovering and conquering your specific Challenges
Developing a mindset to conquer the four main psychological barriers for all EAs
Building your conﬁdence and assertiveness while eliminating perfectionism disease
Achieving milestones and adding strategic value to your organisation

Katrena Friel, Australia’s Leading Success Coach for Intrepeneurs, Refresh your Thinking

9.55 Taking care of your wellbeing in a difficult era for administrative professionals

Reframing the challenges for EAs in recent years as legitimately challenging, or even traumatic
Communicating authentically about your personal challenges with your executive
Recognising the early warning signs of overwork and mental ill-health, in yourself and others
Developing practical skills and exercises to be resilient in challenging situations

Karina Dugard, Senior Coach and Facilitator, Exhale People

10.40 Morning coffee

11.10 Overcoming the challenges of the “new normal” of hybrid work

Achieving executive buy-in for your ideal working arrangements
Developing a productive team workflow across a geographically dispersed workplace
Establishing and maintaining a productive relationship with your executive, no matter the location.
Troubleshooting common technical issues for EAs in hybrid work

Carly Hartas, Founder and Director, Country to Coast EA

11.55 Panel Discussion: Mapping your career trajectory as a high-achieving EA

Developing “senior EA” skills in procurement and budgeting areas
Communicating a unique and memorable personal brand in every interaction
Networking with purpose to make connections outside of your immediate circle
Building confidence and decisiveness as a career-focused Executive Assistant

Ruby Lambert, Executive Assistant, Bureau of Meteorology
Jenny Whitehouse, Senior Executive Assistant, Reserve Bank of Australia
Chantel Gleeson-Abdilla, Executive Assistant to the Chief Information Officer, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts
Leanne Geach, Executive Assistant to the First Assistant Secretary, Southeast Asia Regional Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Casey-Marie De Veau, Executive Assistant to FAS Children and Families Division, Attorney-General’s Department

12.40 Lunch

13.40 Utilising your EA skillset to become a project management expert

Understanding the operational overlap between project management and the EA role
Leading a high-performing team in a dynamic project environment
Leveraging your increasing responsibilities as an EA to develop new skills
Building rapport with co-workers and stakeholders
Achieving positive outcomes with a strong project management team

Brendon Le Lievre, Founder and Lead Coach, Hare Consulting

14.25 Collaborating strategically with multiple stakeholders

Communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders
Diffusing tense situations in a professional manner
Utilising multiple communication methods to connect more efficiently
Connecting with stakeholder’s priorities and concerns to deliver swift results

Chris Huet, Director and Lead Coach, Understood Consulting Services

15.10 End of Conference Day 2