Rising Stars – EA & PA 2016
Introducing our Rising Stars winners in the EA and PA category for 2016
Jennifer Corcoran
Jennifer CorcoranWelcome to my bio. Tooting your own horn can feel a bit awkward but when it comes to championing the PA/EA profession or being an advocate for fairness and equality I’m more than happy to wax lyrical.
For me the pen is mightier than the sword and in 2014 I set up my own PA related blog. I have also guest blogged on subjects such as networking, speaking up, creating an internal PA forum, the importance of a professional headshot and getting an up to date job description. I have pushed through my comfort zone and spoken at conferences as to how social media can empower Assistants.
On the voluntary side I am the National PRO for EUMA UK which is a not-for-profit Association for Management Assistants across 25 countries. I am also a proud founding member of WEP and belong to the SPRING women’s network at CACIB.
Simone White
I am the Founder and Chair of the ACE Network (Assistant Community EMEA) at BlackRock, the world’s leading Asset Management Firm. Having worked in administration for over 20 years, I have a wealth of experience in supporting executives at every level as well as managing teams and offices. As Chair of ACE, I work with managers, HR and assistants to ‘raise the bar’ and elevate the role of the admin professional. The ACE Network provides specific training for assistants and managers as well as assistant on-boarding, business knowledge sessions and networking. Under the ACE Connects banner, ACE host network sessions encouraging internal & external assistants that speak every day to meet face to face and make those important connections and support their businesses and themselves. I actively connect with assistants via 1-1 mentoring or networking across industries and time zones to encourage them to take the lead and make change.
Alongside this, my day job is Executive Support to the Heads of iShares EMEA Product, Global Sustainability, and EMEA Range Management. I am also the Assistant Co-ordinator for iShares London.
I am a Fellow of EPPA and a member of EUMA and the London PA Network.
Karen Glenn
I am an award winning PA with over eight years’ experience, extremely passionate and ambitious, who champions the role as a truly fantastic career choice. It is a career that I enjoy and have turned it into an opportunity to be among the best in my field. An efficient and career-focused PA who believes passionately about providing the highest level of support to the Executive which assists in underpinning their strategic objectives and someone who consistently works to the highest professional standards with superb communication skills and the ability to build solid relationships. I have been described by my Executive Team as the rock, the go to person in the team, always in tune with the feelings of others and knowing when to offer extra support or advice. A PA who enjoys networking with peers with the aim of sharing knowledge and supporting others starting on their career journey along with becoming a fellow member of EPAA this year.
I have also recently started public speaking, with the first attempt being at a PA training day, it is important to always challenge yourself and look for areas of development to grow. More recently I am proud to be the co-founder of a new network for Essex office support staff called “NESS”. It is aimed not only at PA/EAs but office administrators, office managers, receptions, office juniors to bring the support staff together to connect, share & develop. NESS had its launch event on the evening of 10th May 2016.
Amanda Hargreaves
Amanda is Executive Assistant to the Executive Committee of PZ Cussons International and has primary responsibility for the CEO, CFO and HR Director.
Amanda is incredibly proud of the fact that she is a co-founder of the Manchester PA Network (“MPAN”) www.manchesterpanetwork.co.uk. MPAN is a not-for-profit organisation founded in July 2011. MPAN was borne out of the founders’ frustrations of there being no meaningful or beneficial network for PAs in the Manchester area and it has since grown organically to over 600 members.
Hannah Kate Smith
I’m Hannah, Executive Assistant to the MD of our Commercial business at RSA Group. My role is really varied; one day I’m writing a speech; the next I’m facilitating a Board meeting! I joined the RSA graduate programme in 2011, fresh-faced from Leeds University with a History of Art MA in hand. Since then, I’ve worked in underwriting, business development, leadership and marketing positions in the UK and mainland Europe.
One of my proudest moments was being elected first female Chair of the Young Members’ Committee at the Insurance Institute of London. We organise development and networking events for young professionals across the market. Other highlights include shaping a Mentoring scheme for ACII exam candidates and participating at Dive In Festival; promoting diversity in insurance.
Outside work, I’m an avid charity runner and perform in musicals with a London-based Am-Dram society.
What motivates me? Challenging the norm; making a difference.