The Admin Avenues Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this episode of The Admin Avenues Podcast, I sit down with Anu Lamba, Executive Assistant to Country Head of Operations at Amazon, to explore the purpose, growth, and recognition that come with a career in the admin profession.

Anu shares her inspiring journey - from moving to Australia, starting a family, and building a new career in a new country, to thriving in high-pressure executive support roles at global companies like Amazon and Microsoft. We talk about the challenges she faced, the resilience she built, and the mindset that has kept her confident in choosing the admin path, even when others didn’t understand it.

We also dive into what life is really like as an EA in a fast-paced corporate environment, the tools and strategies that keep her on top of competing priorities, and why she’s such a passionate advocate for the profession.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Anu navigated starting over in a new country while balancing family and career
• Why she chose the EA profession despite holding university degrees
• Common misconceptions about admin roles, and how to challenge them
• A behind-the-scenes look at supporting executives at Amazon and Microsoft
• The productivity systems and tools that have been game-changers for he
• The role mentorship has played in her career, and her advice for new admins
• How she believes the perception of admin roles needs to evolve in corporate environments

This conversation is a powerful reminder that admin professionals are more than just support -  they’re strategic, resilient, and capable of incredible impact.

Quick Links:

To connect with Anu, hit her up on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anu-lamba-210331b/ 

Gisele Karame-Kemp has served as Executive Assistant to Lachlan Murdoch (News Corp) and Scott Farquhar (Atlassian), later leading a global team of EAs/AAs at Atlassian. Most recently, she’s stepped into Workplace Experience - highlighting how EA skills translate into diverse leadership pathways.

In this episode, Gisele talks through her incredible career, the importance of mentoring, and why she left admin to work in her new Workplace Experience role at one of the largest tech companies in the world.

We explore what truly changes when you move from supporting Chairman and CEOs to taking a step back in the business. We talk through how to earn trust at the highest levels, and why a non-linear career can be your biggest advantage.

In this episode, you’ll learn

• Career arc: How Gisele moved from early admin roles to C-Suite support, team leadership, and Workplace Experience.
• Trust at the top: Practical ways to build credibility, protect time, and influence outcomes without authority.
• Beyond the traditional EA remit: Examples of strategic contribution and stepping into business operations.
• Navigating tough moments: Tactics for handling shifting priorities, ambiguity, and high-stakes change.
• Strategic Impact: Moving beyond tasks to commercial thinking, systems, and measurable outcomes.
• Mentorship & Community: Why mentoring lifts the whole profession and how to get started.

Easy Links:

To connect with Gisele - hit her up on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisele-karame-kemp 

The book Gisele recommended was: https://www.oliverburkeman.com/meditationsformortals

The app Gisele recommended was: https://www.wakingup.com/ 

If this episode helped you, share it with an admin friend, subscribe, and leave a review. 

Got questions or a topic you want us to cover? Drop us a DM or comment.

In this episode of The Admin Avenues Podcast, we sit down with Ruth Kilah, Founder of Hoxton Hyde, Executive Coach, Consultant and Advocate for Admin Excellence. We sat down to talk about what it really takes to future-proof your admin career.

Ruth is a career coach and mentor who helps experienced Executive Assistants move into higher-level roles where they can grow their income, influence, and impact. Through her coaching, she empowers admin professionals to gain clarity, strengthen strategic thinking, and communicate their value with confidence.

Fun fact: We recorded this episode a few months ago, and during our chat, Ruth mentioned one of her dreams was to land a speaking gig in the USA. The very next day (not even kidding) she got an email from an American company inviting her to speak in the USA. Now that’s what we call fast manifesting! 

Join us as we explore Ruth’s inspiring journey from EA to business founder, the mission behind Hoxton Hyde, and her top insights on building visibility, leadership, and resilience in today’s evolving world of work.

In This Episode:

• Ruth’s transition from EA to founder and executive coach
• The mission behind Hoxton Hyde and the career gaps it’s helping to close
• Coaching vs. mentoring – and why coaching is so powerful for admins
• Common career challenges Ruth sees in the profession
• How EAs can step into leadership without the title
• The importance of boundaries, visibility, and strategic relationships
• Future-proofing your admin career with the right mindset and soft skills
• Practical advice for EAs feeling stuck or unsure about their next step

Ruth shares her best piece of advice for any EA or admin professional feeling unsure about the next chapter in their career, and how to reconnect with your value and potential.

Ruth’s link to ‘3 Ways To Communicate Your Value For Career Growth: https://www.hoxtonhyde.com.au/3WaysToCommunicateYourValueForCareerGrowth  

To connect with Ruth Kilah and explore coaching and resources at Hoxton Hyde: https://www.hoxtonhyde.com.au 

Follow Ruth on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-kilah/

In this inspiring episode, Candice sits down with Kristine Niven, a purpose-driven Executive Assistant who’s making waves in the education sector. Kristine currently supports the Associate Principal at St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar, one of Melbourne’s leading independent schools, and is also the visionary behind EAs in Education, a professional learning network designed to uplift and connect administrative professionals in schools across Australia.

From navigating the dynamic demands of a school environment to founding a thriving peer community, Kristine shares her journey with warmth, wisdom, and heart. You’ll hear how she transitioned from the legal and health sectors into education, why relationships are the cornerstone of her leadership style, and what makes tailored development so crucial for school-based EAs.

In this episode, we cover:

🔹 What it’s really like being an EA in a school setting

🔹 The story behind founding EAs in Education

🔹 The differences between corporate and education admin roles

🔹 The power of relationships in high-trust school communities

🔹 Kristine’s role as AIOP’s National Education Director 

Connect with Kristine & EAs in Education:

💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristineniven

🌐 Website https://easineducation.com.au/about

Liked the episode?

Leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and follow The Admin Avenues Podcast for more inspiring conversations with Australia’s leading admin professionals.

Meet Chelsea Lewis, Executive Assistant and Office Manager at Zimmermann, the global luxury fashion brand.

Ever wondered what happens when high-level executive support meets luxury fashion and entrepreneurial drive? Chelsea shares her inspiring journey, from receptionist to C-suite EA, founder of her own business, and now, a soon-to-be mum.

With experience across music, media, and fashion, supporting celebrity HNWIs and senior leaders, Chelsea has done the full admin career journey, and she’s here to share the lessons learned along the way. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between PA and EA roles, and how to navigate both
• What it’s really like managing C-suite execs across industries
• How Chelsea launched her own business while working full-time
• Tips on staying authentic while maintaining a strong professional presence

If you’re an admin professional ready to shake up your career, start something on the side, or simply hear a real and relatable success story - this episode is for you.

👉 Subscribe to The Admin Avenues Podcast for more inspiring stories from those shaping the admin profession in Australia

🔗 Share this episode with a fellow admin who’d love to hear Chelsea’s story

💼 Connect with Chelsea Lewis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-lewis-b08672b9/

I get asked all the time: “What is GIFTA Benefits?” And honestly, it’s not something I can explain in just one sentence. So I sat down with our sponsor and GIFTA Benefits Co-Founder, Dion Bastian, to let him explain it in full.
Dion shares his journey from engineering in the mines to co-founding one of Australia’s leading rewards and benefits platforms. Along the way, he discovered what many of us already know, admin professionals are the real power players when it comes to workplace culture, loyalty, and wellbeing.

🎧 In this episode, we discuss:

Dion’s pivot from mining to tech, and how it sparked the idea for GIFTA Benefits
Why admin professionals are key decision-makers (and who opened Dion’s eyes to this!)
What sets GIFTA Benefits apart from traditional perks platforms
How companies are using GIFTA to drive engagement, morale, and retention
The power of meaningful recognition, from wellbeing rewards to “the gift of time”
Emerging trends in employee benefits, including green rewards and experience-based perks
How admins can easily champion and customise GIFTA Benefits in their own workplaces

✨ You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of what GIFTA Benefits is all about, why they’re so passionate about recognising admin professionals, and why we love working with the GIFTA team!

👉 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Admin Avenues Podcast, share it with your team, and explore how GIFTA Benefits can support your people.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.giftabenefits.com
💼 Connect with Dion Bastian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dion-bastian-571011a4/

Welcome to The Admin Avenues Podcast!

In each episode, I’ll be chatting with inspiring Australian admin professionals, expert advisors, and a few surprise guests you won’t want to miss.
No matter where your admin career has taken you, this is your space to learn, grow, and connect with the people shaping the future of our profession.

Expect real stories, practical insights, and expert advice to help you thrive, whether you're just starting out or leading at the top.
We’re also here to celebrate the Australian admin community, because admins are at the heart of every successful business.
Let’s shape the future of admin in Australia, one conversation at a time.

🎧 Subscribe now and don’t miss a moment. New episodes coming soon!

Visit adminavenues.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram @adminavenues

From early admin roles to senior strategic support and entrepreneurship, Kiara Filardi has built a career defined by initiative, influence, and impact. In this conversation, Kiara shares how adopting a business partner mindset elevates the EA role, why mentorship is a career multiplier, and the habits that keep you steady when priorities move at pace. We also explore her vision for AIOP NSW and how community accelerates professional growth.

In this episode, you’ll learn

• How Kiara navigated her career from EA to founder, and what truly prepared her to build Urge.Concierge
• Practical ways EAs operate as strategic business partners (beyond the traditional remit)
• The skills that matter at senior level: influence, commercial thinking, systems, and calm under pressure
• Why mentorship changes careers, and how to find (and work with) the right mentor
• Staying effective in high-pressure environments: resets, rituals, and run-of-show systems
• Kiara’s plans as AIOP NSW Division President to support and connect the community
• Where the EA profession is heading next, and the mindset shifts to get ahead

Love the episode? Follow/subscribe, leave a quick rating, and share it with an admin who’d benefit.

Easy Links:

• Connect with Kiara Filardi on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiara-filardi-b4bb147b/ 
• Join the Australian Institute of Office Professionals (AIOP) community and learn more about the institute here: https://aiop.com.au 
• Join us at the Admin Avenues Conference: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/adminavenuesconference 
• Then join us for a night of celebrating at the 2025 AIOP Awards after the conference: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/the-2025-aiop-awards-gala-dinner 

Tamara (TJ) shares how she turned recognition into real-world impact as AIOP’s Hunter Region Division President. From earning influence without authority to designing a career that works for family life, TJ unpacks the systems, boundaries and mindset that keep momentum going - especially when work gets busy. We also chat about the new AIOP Mentor Program (launching 2026), practical professional development strategies, and the future-ready skills every admin should practise now.

In this episode, you’ll learn

• Influence without authority: Why rapport is step one in any pipeline, and how to protect yourself when politics show up.
• Career compounding: The early decision to build genuine relationships and how it paid off years later.
• Making impact visible: Showing trust, respect and honesty to decision-makers
• Career design for parents: Boundaries, honest comms, and choosing roles that fit life.
• Peak-period playbook: Daily priorities, focus blocks, team check-ins, pre-built templates and fast wins.
• Negotiating flexibility: Come with a solution, a coverage plan and agreed guardrails.
• Future skills (2026): Adaptive problem-solving and weekly practice to build continuous improvement muscle.
• AIOP Mentor Program (2026): Closing the gap between capability and progression with structured support.
• After the award: Handling imposter thoughts, using recognition as permission to step up, and leading through the “messy middle.”

Love this conversation? 

Join AIOP for community, PD and mentoring, and bring it into your professional development budget.

If this episode helped you, follow/subscribe, leave a quick rating, and share it with an admin who’d benefit.

Easy Links:

• Connect with Tamar (TJ) Barge on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-james-chpea-aa402953/ 
• Join the Australian Institute of Office Professionals (AIOP) community and learn more about the institute here: https://aiop.com.au 
• Join us at the Admin Avenues Conference: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/adminavenuesconference 
• Then join us for a night of celebrating at the 2025 AIOP Awards after the conference: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/the-2025-aiop-awards-gala-dinner 

From fundraises and M&A to COVID, downturns and rapid pivots, Janice Parker has seen the full tech rollercoaster. Janice has worked for some of the largest tech firms globally both here in Australia and in London, UK.  In this episode, Janice shares what it’s really like operating as a remote-first, strategic EA in high-growth environments, why community matters, and how she’s thinking about the road ahead as AIOP Victoria Division President (including a sneak peek at 2026).

What we cover in this episode:

• Startups → scale-ups: Lessons from hypergrowth and change as an Executive Assistant 
• Remote-first reality: time zones, async rhythm, boundaries and trust. 
• Working 100% remote: Is it really all it’s cracked up to be? 
• Network & community: Why it’s so important to have an admin network and be part of a community
• What’s next for AIOP VIC and early plans for 2026

Easy Links:

• Connect with Janice Parker on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janiceparkerea
• Join the Australian Institute of Office Professionals (AIOP) community and learn more about the institute here: https://aiop.com.au 
• Join us at the Admin Avenues Conference: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/adminavenuesconference 
• Then join us for a night of celebrating at the 2025 AIOP Awards after the conference: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/the-2025-aiop-awards-gala-dinner