Public Sector Executive Assistant Congress agenda

This congress will be held in person in Canberra and online on 16-17 March 2022

	Conference day one – Wednesday 16 March 2022
08.20	Registration
08.50	Opening remarks from the chair
09.00	Keynote address: Keynote address: Building your influence to achieve your goals
	Knowing your purpose Building your credibility Managing uncertainty Exerting influence without positional authority Problem-solving as a strategic partner
	Moya Dodd, The Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence; Former Vice-Captain of the Australian women’s football team, FIFA Executive Committee Member; Partner, Gilbert + Tobin Lawyers
9.50	Engineering your mindset and build resilience you can rely on
	The Neuroscience of ‘Mindset’ and how you can engineer yours What Resilience, Grit and Growth mindset really mean? The importance of Resilience, Grit and a Growth Mindset to wellbeing Thinking tools to foster all of the above
	Abby Rees, Director, PunkPD
10.40	Morning tea
11.00	Panel discussion: Rethinking your role as an Executive Assistant to build new capabilities in a post-pandemic world
	Understanding new and upcoming challenges brought by the pandemic Taking on extra duties to provide wider business support Overcoming unique challenges and seeing challenge as an opportunity Communicating with senior executives effectively during times of change Redefining your role and exploring the future of the EA role
	Steph Buckley, Executive Assistant First Assistant Secretary, Department of Defence Tamara Hull, Executive Assistant to First Assistant Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Mellisa Young, Senior Executive Assistant to CEO, Level Crossing Removal Project Anne Ferris, Executive Assistant to National Manager, Australian Federal Police Jo Hillas, Executive Assistant to CEO, VicHealth
12.00	Enhancing your relationships in work and life with emotional literacy
	Debunking emotional myths Why emotions matter How to recognise emotional signposts Emotional choices – a foundation for action
	Deanne Duncombe, Coach and Facilitator, Leading and Being
12.45	Lunch
13.45	Striking a balance between work, life, relationship and relaxation
	Embracing the hybrid model of working Making plans organising ahead to cope with daily pressure effectively Exploring approaches to maintain a better work-life balance
	Sue Read, Founder and Director, Registered Psychologist, Life Unlimited Psychology
14.30	Panel discussion: Keeping your career moving forward
	Taking ownership to build your career roadmap Gaining support from your executive Advancing your career as a professional EA Winning a new role stepping outside of the EA space Progressing further and choose the right career path for yourself
	Sophie Butler-Stratton, Assistant Director, National Multicultural Festival; Former Executive Officer, ACT Community Services Directorate Aisha Aboulfadil, Support Officer, Diversity and Organisational Development Branch; Former Senior Executive Assistant, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning VIC Ingrid Bayer, Trainer, VA Institute of Australia Jo Hillas, Executive Assistant to CEO, VicHealth Fiona Gavagan, Assistant Director, Policy & Services Directorate, ACT Emergency Services Agency
15.15	Afternoon Tea
15.40	Writing a winning job application for the Australian Public Service Understanding public service application processes Updating your Resume so that you stand out Writing an exceptional application: Selection Criteria and the ILS Preparation and top tips for a great interview

	Jess Zdanowicz, Information Access Officer, Department of Veterans’ Affairs
16.20	Managing workplace conflicts and setting boundaries with other people
	Navigating diverse personalities and thinking styles in the workplace Defining problems and clarifying perception of the situation Controlling the scope of conflict with straightforward communication of information Dealing with stereotypes and people saying “you are just an EA” Building mutual trust and respect with your executive and colleagues

	Closing remarks from the chair and end of Conference
17.00	Networking drinks
18.30	End of conference day one

	Conference day two – Thursday 17 March 2022
9.00	Opening remarks from the chair
09.10	Building new capabilities to provide remote support to your executives
	Navigating and adapting to the cultural change of remote work Techniques to enhance and achieve productivity in the online working environment Strategies for communicating effectively with your Executives when working remotely Software tools that complement the online working environment
	Ingrid Bayer, Trainer, VA Institute of Australia
09.50	Dealing with competing priorities and managing time wisely
	Setting up priority and prioritising multiple tasks Exploring time management tools and tips Exploring strategies to determine top priorities and balance priorities Preparing yourself to accommodate urgent priorities Maintaining focus to commit to established goals for the day
	Casey-Marie De Veau, Executive Assistant to Deputy CEO, AUSTRAC
10.30	Morning Tea
11.00	Your teams matter – Working smart with the use of the tool Microsoft Teams
	Embracing Microsoft Teams to communicate, collaborate and connect with your colleagues Establishing rules of engagement Building teams within MS Teams and enabling best practice teamwork Managing operational and project tasks to enhance team performance
	Mario Halouvas, National Learning & Development Manager, Priority Management Australia
12.00	Panel discussion: Discovering the delicate art of managing up and building a collaborative business partnership with your executive
	Gaining a deeper insight into the pressures, demands and requirements of your executive’s role Taking ownership of tasks to clear work goals and priorities Connecting with your executive on a regular basis Building trust as a team and asking for feedback proactively
	Robbie Eason, Executive Assistant to the Assistant Secretary, Department of Defence Casey-Marie De Veau, Executive Assistant to Deputy CEO, AUSTRAC Steph Buckley, Executive Assistant First Assistant Secretary, Department of Defence
12.40	Lunch
13.30	Senior Executives’ panel discussion: discussing expectations and providing advice for executive assistants
	What are our expectations of a great Executive Assistant? What are the top-notch skills we appreciate the most? Building a strategic business relationship with Executive Assistant Where is the line between professional and personal?
	Georgeina Whelan, Commissioner, ACT Emergency Services Agency Tony Krizan, CFO, CIO, Executive Director Corporate Operations & Information, National Health and Medical Research Council Lucy Poole, Head of Sourcing and Governance Division, Digital Transformation Agency
14.20	Building your personal brand and crafting your professional identity
	Using positive psychology to raise your confidence level and boost self-belief Remaining authentic to build your self-image Proactivity leaning forward into tasks rather than hesitating Fostering relationships with connections outside of your usual network Creating a reputation of value that enhances your career, reputation and wellbeing
	Carly Hartas, Founder, Country to Coast EA; Former Executive Officer to the British High Commissioner
15.15	Afternoon tea end of conference