Speakers

In this captivating opening session, Joan Burge reveals how she rose from a 20-year career as a secretary to a groundbreaking business owner, speaker, author, and corporate trainer. By spotting fundamental gaps in administrative training, Joan decided to rewrite the narrative—elevating the assistant’s role from routine support to a strategic business force.

Like the birth of a star—full of uncertainty and immense potential—Joan’s journey illuminates a guiding spark that has ignited new standards of excellence in the administrative profession for over three decades. But this session isn’t just about Joan’s past; it’s about how her story connects to your professional growth.

More importantly, you’ll discover why being a dynamic assistant is crucial in today’s ever-changing workplace. Just as stars are in constant motion—burning bright and evolving—dynamic assistants must adapt, innovate, and lead amidst shifting demands. Come ready to reflect, learn, and set the stage for your emergence as a dynamic assistant—who chooses to Innovate, Engage, and Excel at every turn.

• Gain Insight into the Dynamic Journey: Understand how Joan Burge transformed a traditional secretarial position into a pioneering business venture—uncovering lessons you can apply to elevate your role and career.
• Identify Critical Gaps and Rewrite the Narrative: Learn to spot overlooked opportunities in your workplace and take proactive steps to shift the assistant’s role from routine support to strategic partner. 
• Embrace Risk, Vision, and Resilience: Discover how bold thinking, resilience, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zones can ignite transformative growth in your professional life.
• Adopt a Dynamic Mindset: Recognize why adaptability, continuous innovation, and proactive leadership are essential in today’s fast-paced environment.

With the workplace landscape still in flux, it’s easy to get lost in the changing expectations around professionalism. Whether you’re fully remote, in-office, hybrid, or navigating a unique schedule, certain fundamentals remain critical to your success. In this forward-looking session, Alexandra Von Tiergarten, a seasoned recruiter and talent expert, will offer clear guidance on how to cultivate a strong, authentic, and dynamic professional presence—no matter where you work.

• Adapting etiquette to various work environments
• Communication skills that elevate your brand
• Presentation and dress—without overdoing It
• Modern business writing and why it matters
• Standing out as a dynamic assistant
• Insights into newer workforce trends

Resilience is the cornerstone of a dynamic mindset. Drawing from my journey of leaving a secure role as a Chief Executive Assistant just months before the pandemic, I’ll share how I navigated uncertainty, adapted, and emerged stronger. My story demonstrates the power of adaptability, perseverance, and growth during unprecedented times.

In this session, participants will learn how to reframe setbacks, build emotional resilience, and confidently embrace change. Packed with practical strategies, this session equips attendees to navigate adversity, leverage their strengths, and design a personalized toolkit for long-term success.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Gain inspiration from Peggy’s relatable story, learning how to reframe setbacks into growth opportunities.
2. Develop emotional resilience strategies to manage stress, regulate emotions, and stay grounded under pressure.
3. Learn adaptability techniques to thrive in the fast-paced and ever-changing workplace environment.
4. Build a personalized resilience toolkit with habits, routines, and support systems to sustain well-being.
5. Walk away with a step-by-step action plan for fostering personal and professional growth through challenges.

Welcome to the all-virtual, always-online world of work! With just a click, tap, or search, people are forming opinions of you—long before you even speak. To succeed in this digital-first environment, mastering the art of building relationships online is key. You’ll need to craft a powerful first impression, nurture virtual connections, and ensure your digital presence aligns with your authentic, real-world self. In this high-energy session, personal branding expert William Arruda presents a dynamic roadmap to creating a standout online presence.

In this session, you will learn how to:

• Leverage digital tools like social media, video, and Zoom to connect effectively.
• Amplify your personal brand to make a lasting impression in a digital-first world.
• Discover strategies for using AI to enhance and expand your brand.
• Build authentic relationships online while staying true to your real-world self.

Conflicts are inevitable, but as a dynamic assistant, you have the power to transform difficult interactions into opportunities for growth and collaboration. This engaging session equips you with essential tools to identify, navigate, and resolve conflict with confidence. Learn how to handle challenging personalities, foster productive conversations, and manage emotions under pressure. By mastering emotional intelligence, active listening, and empathy, you’ll enhance your ability to build stronger relationships and maintain a harmonious workplace. Walk away with practical strategies tailored for administrative professionals to address conflicts effectively and create a more cohesive, collaborative environment.

• Identify different types of personalities and conflicts and choose appropriate conflict resolution strategies.
• Effectively communicate in difficult situations/conversations, using active listening, assertiveness, and empathy.
• Manage your own emotions and respond to the emotions of others in a difficult situation.  
• Apply conflict resolution strategies in the workplace and personal settings, leading to improved relationships and greater success in conflict resolution.

Administrative professionals are the linchpins of their organizations, yet stepping into a bold, dynamic presence often requires navigating communication barriers and brave conversations. This empowering keynote will inspire participants to find their voice, embrace courageous communication, and project confidence in every interaction. 

Through practical strategies, relatable stories, and actionable insights, this session equips attendees with the tools to elevate their executive presence, foster trust, and create meaningful impact. Whether leading a team, supporting executives, or managing complex relationships, attendees will walk away ready to own their power, amplify their influence, and show up as their bravest selves.

Key Takeaways:

• Overcome Fear and Self-Doubt: Discover how to confidently communicate in high-stakes situations.
• Navigate Challenging Conversations: Learn actionable strategies to approach tough conversations with clarity and composure.
• Project Executive Presence: Explore techniques to build trust and influence in every interaction.
• Advocate for Yourself and Others: Develop the courage to speak up and advocate for yourself and others in the workplace.

In this forward-thinking session, explore how artificial intelligence can transform the role of today’s administrative professional. Through practical insights and proven strategies, you’ll learn how to integrate AI tools into daily tasks such as email management, note-taking, and scheduling—streamlining processes while preserving the human touch that drives organizational success. Gain the knowledge and confidence to identify, evaluate, and implement AI solutions that elevate efficiency, foster digital transformation, and ultimately boost productivity and workplace satisfaction. By the end of the session, you will have a clear action plan and a toolkit of AI resources to advance both your professional and personal growth.

By attending this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify and leverage AI-powered administrative tools (e.g., email, note-taking) to optimize routine tasks.
• Confidently lead digital transformation initiatives by evaluating, selecting, and implementing AI solutions that enhance efficiency.
• Create measurable business impact by developing an AI integration roadmap that balances automation with human connection.
• Cultivate leadership skills to champion technological change within their organizations, ensuring a culture of continuous innovation.
• Utilize AI for personal and professional development, staying ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes of executive leadership. In this special session, Joan Burge and James Bristow, PhD share candid insights on what they look for in an assistant, offering invaluable advice on how to best align with their priorities, cultivate trust, and foster a successful business partnership. From qualities they value most—like proactivity, adaptability, and clear communication—to potential pitfalls to avoid, our panelists will help you understand the dynamics at play on the other side of the desk. Gain fresh strategies to support your leader’s vision, anticipate their needs, and elevate your impact

• Develop Proactive Support Strategies
  Participants will discover methods to anticipate needs, propose solutions, and strategically contribute to higher-level goals rather than simply responding to tasks.
• Enhance Communication and Feedback Loops
  EAs will practice clear, concise reporting and timely feedback, fostering stronger decision-making support and reinforcing a culture of trust.
• Strengthen Relationship-Building Skills
  By understanding what executives value most, attendees will refine their ability to establish rapport, credibility, and a collaborative partnership with their leaders.
• Recognize and Avoid Common Pitfalls
  Through real-life examples and discussions, participants will gain insights into potential missteps—from overreach to under-communication—that can weaken the EA–executive

In today’s interconnected workplace, personal and professional growth intertwine. Thriving in life is not just about work, it is about our whole lives personally, professionally, and in the community. As Dynamic Assistants, you play an essential part of the success of those around you. You are a problem-solver, strategic partner, influencer, and silo buster. You swiftly navigate organizational networks and hierarchies to achieve success. You work behind the scenes ensuring everyone has what they need. How do you get what you need? Build meaningful connections and networks based on love, curiosity, generosity, and gratitude.

We’ll transform the way you network personally and professionally by:

• Applying the Networking Wheel, a framework, to build a network you love in the spaces you love.

• Taking the “work” out of networking to move from transactional to meaningful connections.

• Creating your own rhythm for building and nurturing your ‘net.’  Your ‘net’ is all the people who make you smile – at work, at home, and everywhere in between.
• Leveraging your ‘net’ to thrive in life and grow personally and professionally.

Leave with practical tips and tools to build your “net’ for life. You’ll put your Wheel in motion and leave with an action plan to nurture new connections from the conference.  

Participants will receive a workbook with the Networking Wheel, assessment and strategy guidance, and a journal to capture notes, milestones, and celebrations. You’ll also receive thank you cards and note cards to encourage reconnection to nurture your ‘net.’

Applying PM Principles to Everyday Life and Work” is an empowering by Tamara McLemore, PMP, designed to reveal how project management techniques aren’t just for corporate professionals—they’re essential tools we use every day without realizing it. From planning family vacations to budgeting for personal goals, this talk illustrates how project management principles like goal-setting, time management, risk mitigation, and communication are seamlessly woven into our daily routines. By recognizing and intentionally applying these skills, attendees can bring more clarity, structure, and efficiency to both their personal and professional lives. This keynote encourages participants to see themselves as project managers in every area of life, enabling them to achieve their goals with purpose and ease.

Audience Outcomes:

• Recognize Hidden Project Management Skills:Attendees will leave with a newfound awareness of how they already use project management skills in everyday tasks, from organizing social events to balancing work-life responsibilities.
• Apply PM Principles to Personal Goals:Participants will learn to set clear, achievable goals in their personal lives using project initiation and planning techniques, ensuring more intentional and successful outcomes.
• Master Time and Risk Management:The audience will gain practical tools for effective time management and risk mitigation, helping them prioritize tasks and prepare for potential challenges both at work and home.
• Improve Communication and Stakeholder Management:By understanding stakeholder communication strategies, attendees will enhance their ability to manage relationships and expectations in both professional and personal contexts.
• Implement a Structured Life Framework:Participants will be equipped to apply a structured project management framework across the Seven Areas of Life Growth—Health, Family, Career, Finances, Personal Development, Spirituality, and Social Relationships—bringing balance and fulfillment to their lives.

In this interactive keynote, participants will discover what it truly means to “show up” with a powerful administrative presence that commands respect and fuels collaboration. By exploring the building blocks of empowerment and the defining traits of an empowered Executive Assistant (EA), attendees will learn how to harness their mindset, energy, and engagement to drive meaningful impact in their roles. Through vivid color analogies—ranging from vibrant to dull—this session will challenge participants to examine how they present themselves in the workplace and inspire them to return with concrete strategies for stepping more confidently into their administrative leadership.

• Recognize the essential components that foster a culture of trust, autonomy, and impact, setting the stage for empowered decision-making.

• Pinpoint and model the key attributes of high-performing assistants, including proactive communication, strategic thinking, and self-awareness.

• Cultivate a confident and authoritative mindset, enabling you to step into a more influential and respected role within your organization.

• Leverage energy and engagement for greater impact, ensuring maximum effectiveness in fast-paced, demanding environments.

• Create a personal action plan for “showing up” more vibrantly and visibly to elevate your administrative presence and professional brand.

In today’s fast-paced environment, many employees feel disconnected—burnout is on the rise, and genuine social bonds can be hard to find. Yet these challenges also present an opportunity. As a dynamic assistant, you are uniquely positioned to spark engagement and foster community. By weaving playful elements into your daily routines—everything from creative teambuilding activities to lighthearted moments of celebration—you can help revitalize your workplace and inspire others to break free from outdated habits. The old ways of working are failing, but forward-thinking organizations have a secret weapon—play.

This talk explores how a play-oriented approach can reinvigorate your workplace, boost engagement, and bridge the growing divide between leadership and staff. Play isn’t just about fun—it’s a mindset that fosters creativity, connection, and resilience. We’ll uncover bold, actionable strategies to transform your organization into a space where both the business and its people can thrive. The future of work is being shaped right now. Will you lead the way?

• Understand the root causes of workplace disengagement and how to reignite motivation.
• Identify workplace challenges leaders avoid and how to address them effectively.
• Identify your three core “play values” and align them with practical workplace strategies that foster well-being, inclusivity, and sustained engagement.
• Apply actionable play-based strategies to create a more engaged and thriving workplace.