Supporting a living legend in the food world comes with unique challenges and extraordinary rewards. As Executive Assistant to René Redzepi, the visionary Danish chef and co-owner of Noma, the three Michelin-star restaurant repeatedly named the best in the world, Matthew McGuigan has a front-row seat to one of the most influential culinary minds of our time. Originally from Sydney, Matthew’s path to Noma is anything but ordinary. A professionally trained musician turned entrepreneur, he built his own EA and virtual assistant business in Berlin before finding his rhythm in the fast-paced world of fine dining. His artistic discipline and creativity now help him navigate the intricate choreography behind one of the most celebrated restaurants on the planet. In this episode, we talk about what it means to support one of the world’s greatest food innovators, the power of food to connect people and cultures, and the massive logistical feat of moving an entire restaurant, staff, families, and ingredients for Noma’s legendary global pop-ups.

In this episode of REACH, we’re joined by Kris Cordle Goodsall, Founder and CEO of Devenu Collaborations. Throughout her career, Kris has supported some of Silicon Valley’s most influential leaders, including Ev Williams at Twitter and Stewart Butterfield at Slack, guiding them through the evolution from product creator to company leader. At Slack, she played a key role in scaling the company globally and later served as Chief of Staff, leading through its direct listing and $27.7 billion acquisition by Salesforce. Drawing on those experiences, Kris now coaches founders and CEOs of growth-stage companies, helping them strengthen leadership teams, uncover blind spots, and scale with intention. Kris shares what she learned observing leadership up close, how those lessons shape her coaching today, and why avoiding burnout and setting boundaries are essential for both executives and their teams. She also reflects on her own journey from Executive Assistant, to a sabbatical in France, to Chief of Staff, and now executive coach, revealing how each chapter taught her to redefine success and leadership along the way.

In this episode of REACH, we’re joined by Tyler Macaulay, Senior Executive of Charter Sales at Quantum Jets, a private aviation company dedicated to making executive travel seamless, efficient, and stress-free. Quantum Jets’ innovative mobile app and dedicated support team give Executive Assistants and advisors everything they need to plan private travel. Tyler brings insider expertise on everything from selecting the right aircraft to navigating private airports, coordinating timing, managing in-flight details, and even arranging for pet travel. Together, we’ll demystify the world of private aviation, explore how it compares to commercial travel, and highlight common pitfalls to avoid when booking flights for your executive. You’ll walk away with practical strategies and best practices to make private travel smoother and more impactful for both you and your executive. Sponsor: Quantum Jets – Seamless Booking and Trip Management Quantum Jets offers an all-encompassing platform designed to simplify private travel and make life easier for busy EAs. Leveraging Quantum’s technology and dedicated support, you can: Compare multiple quotes side by side Communicate securely within the platform (no endless email chains or texts) Access over 1,500+ priced empty legs in real time Live flight tracking from departure to arrival, even on aircraft with blocked tail numbers that are usually not visible to the public Enjoy secure access to trip sheets and invoices anytime It’s everything Executive Assistants need to manage private aviation for their executives, all in one place. ✨ Download the Quantum Jets app today (available on Apple and Android) and use code REACH to receive a $1,000 flight credit. For trips under $20,000, $500 will apply toward your first booking and $500 toward your next. For trips over $20,000, the full $1,000 credit applies to your first trip.

In this episode of REACH, we sit down with Sarah Duncan, Executive Assistant to Maven Recruiting Group’s Founder & CEO, Jessica Vann. With over two years of partnership under their belt, Sarah has been instrumental in helping Jessica balance the demands of running a company with the realities of family life and personal pursuits. From managing client communications and high-stakes priorities to ensuring the home front runs smoothly, Sarah’s role extends far beyond the desk. This conversation provides a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the EA–executive partnership, offering insights on how to build trust, navigate diverse working styles, and establish systems that empower both the assistant and the leader to thrive. For Executive Assistants curious about supporting a Founder/CEO, or leaders wondering how an EA can truly transform their capacity and impact, Sarah’s perspective provides both inspiration and practical insight.

In this episode of REACH, we’re joined by longtime friend of the Maven community and executive coach, Michael “Coop” Cooper. With over 20 years of experience coaching executives and teams, Coop specializes in helping organizations align, collaborate, and perform at their highest potential. His work spans leadership accelerators, team alignment workshops, and coaching on the Brain Types framework, a tool that helps individuals better understand how they think, communicate, and respond under pressure. We dive into what makes a high-performing team, how leaders can foster clarity and cohesion, and the common blind spots that hold teams back. Coop also shares actionable insights for Executive Assistants supporting C-suite leaders, especially when navigating misalignment or communication breakdowns. If you’re looking to deepen your influence, drive alignment across your organization, or better understand how to show up at your best under stress, this episode is a must-listen! If your team or organization is ready to operate at a higher level of alignment, collaboration, and performance, you can explore Coop’s offerings at highperformanceorgs.com.

In this episode, we’re joined by longtime EA-turned-cofounder Michelle Czarnik, whose 17-year partnership with her executive led to the launch of BOXMEDIA.io, a mission-driven storytelling platform. Michelle shares what it takes to build a high-trust, long-term EA partnership, one that evolves from support to strategic collaboration, and how that trust ultimately opened the door to entrepreneurship. We trace her incredible career journey, from working in Hollywood as Maria Bello’s assistant, to pivoting into tech, and now returning to her roots in estate management. Michelle also opens up about her passion for golf, the power of presence, and why she’s on a mission to get more women on the course. Whether you’re in the early stages of your EA career or dreaming about what’s next, Michelle’s story is a masterclass in reinvention, resilience, and leaning into the unknown.

Bridging the worlds of food, writing, and the behind-the-scenes realities of celebrity chefs, today’s guest is a true powerhouse! Laurie Woolever is best known as the longtime assistant and trusted collaborator of the legendary Anthony Bourdain. But her story stretches far beyond that role, from working as a receptionist, a private chef to a UHNW health-conscious family, to graduating from culinary school and serving as assistant to Mario Batali at the height of his fame. Laurie’s career evolved into food media and writing, culminating in co-authoring several books with Bourdain. A three-time New York Times bestselling author, she completed World Travel: An Irreverent Guide after Bourdain’s passing and penned Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography. Her latest memoir, Care and Feeding, is a raw, witty, and moving reflection on carving out her own voice while supporting someone else’s. In this episode, we dive deep with Laurie into her memoir Care and Feeding and the pivotal events that have shaped her life. Laurie pulls back the curtain on navigating the world as an assistant to larger-than-life culinary personalities, breaking into food media, and forging a new path as a writer. We explore the highs and lows of her journey, as she reflects on years spent supporting others and how it ultimately led her to tell her own story. You don’t want to miss this amazing episode and Laurie’s insights on what it truly means to find your own voice after a career spent amplifying others!

🎉 We made it—100 episodes of REACH! 🎉 In this milestone episode, we’re flipping the script and putting our host, Jessica Vann, in the hot seat. As Founder and CEO of Maven Recruiting Group, Jessica has spent the past 6 years bringing the voices, journeys, and insights of the EA community to life—and today, we’re turning the mic on her. Guest host Amy Crumley, Executive Assistant to the CEO at Samba TV (and longtime REACH fan!), takes us behind the scenes to explore the origin of the show, the most memorable moments, lessons learned, and what it’s taken to build a podcast that’s become a cornerstone for the administrative community. From sourcing top-tier guests to recording in studio (with a Molinari sandwich in hand), this episode is a heartfelt look at the journey, the people, and the passion behind REACH. Stick around for a special appearance at the end—you won’t want to miss it! It’s here! What is arguably Maven Recruiting Group’s most sought-after resource each year—our Annual Compensation Guide for Administrative Hiring! Don’t miss out on the insights that can shape your strategy for the year ahead. Download your copy now: https://www.mavenrec.com/compensation-guide

We’re thrilled to bring you a truly special episode of REACH—one that’s been years in the making! For the first time, we’re hearing from both an Executive and her former Executive Assistant in a joint conversation about what it takes to build a powerful, productive partnership. In this episode, we sit down with Varsha Rao, Founder and CEO of Zeal AI, and Sheena Deol, who supported Varsha during her time as CEO of Nurx. Their partnership spanned 3.5 years, and the insights they share about trust, communication, and operating as a true extension of one another are nothing short of inspiring. You’ll also get an inside look at Varsha’s newest venture, Zeal AI—an AI-powered restaurant discovery and booking assistant that’s designed to make planning business meals effortless. Whether you’re booking client dinners, private dining rooms, or just trying to find the perfect spot during travel, Zeal AI is quickly becoming an indispensable tool for EAs. Sponsor: This episode of REACH is sponsored by Zeal AI your AI-powered restaurant discovery and reservation planning assistant designed to make organizing business dinners and meetings effortless and memorable. Whether you’re looking for the perfect restaurant for your team, board meetings, client lunches, including private dining options, near your office or for business travel, Zeal AI brings it all together in one place. Zeal’s intuitive AI search helps you discover and book restaurants across platforms—saving you time and stress and includes reviews from other EAs who’ve booked for business. Zeal AI also has private dining options that have been vetted by other EAs to simplify your work. As a special thank you to our listeners, the first 500 Executive Assistants to visit www.hellozeal.ai/maven will receive exclusive VIP access, including Zeal’s innovative EA agent that helps you handle complex booking tasks with ease. Less planning, more doing—thanks to Zeal AI!

Happy Administrative Professionals Week! And what better way to celebrate than by spotlighting the incredible journey of Tanya Benvenuto! In this episode of REACH, we’re celebrating a remarkable milestone—Tanya Benvenuto’s 10-year anniversary at Okta! Tanya’s career evolution from Executive Assistant to Senior Vice President of Executive Operations for the Office of the CEO is nothing short of extraordinary. And for us, this one’s personal—REACH host Jessica Vann had the privilege of placing Tanya at Okta a decade ago (even though Tanya nearly turned the offer down!). Tanya’s journey is a powerful example of what it means to advocate for yourself, lean into your potential, and shape your own trajectory. Over the past ten years, she’s transformed her role from behind-the-scenes support to a strategic leadership position, building and leading a high-performing executive operations team that partners directly with Okta’s top executives. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to go from supporting leadership to becoming leadership—this one’s for you! It’s here! What is arguably Maven Recruiting Group’s most sought-after resource each year—our Annual Compensation Guide for Administrative Hiring! Don’t miss out on the insights that can shape your strategy for the year ahead. Download your copy now: https://www.mavenrec.com/compensation-guide

We’re excited to share our conversation with Eliza Leoni, Senior Consultant at Decker Communications, who has extensive experience coaching senior leaders on high-stakes communication. Eliza’s expertise spans a range of critical areas—from leading presentations to large audiences, managing organizational change, and navigating difficult conversations. In this episode, we dive into the role of narrative in driving change, especially for Executive Assistants. You’ll hear how storytelling can shape team dynamics, keep everyone aligned during uncertainty, and help influence without formal authority. This is a must-listen for anyone looking to strengthen their communication skills and make an impact in their organization. Don’t miss out on the valuable insights Eliza has to offer!

In this episode, we welcome long-time REACH fan Karima Thomson, joining us from Abu Dhabi! Karima supports the Executive Leadership Team at Core42, a leading AI company, and previously worked at the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA). Born in Scotland, with career experience in London and the Middle East, Karima shares how the EA role in Abu Dhabi compares to the U.S. and Europe, the cultural nuances shaping executive support in the UAE, and how AI is transforming the profession. We also discuss misconceptions about the EA role in the Middle East, the realities of work-life balance in a fast-paced region, and the power of embracing discomfort for career growth. If you’re an EA with international ambitions, this one’s for you!

In this episode we hear from none other than Libby Moore who spent over a decade supporting the legendary Oprah Winfrey. Prior to her impressive tenure with Oprah, Libby supported Jann Wenner media mogul and co-founder or Rollingstone magazine as his Executive Assistant as well as talk show personality Maury Povich as a Personal Assistant. Libby has been featured for her noteworthy career in publications such as Forbes, Forty Over Forty and Smart Company and today, we get to hear about how she has embraced spirituality in the workplace throughout the various twists and turns in her career. Following her time with Ms. Winfrey, Libby transitioned into her now career as an Executive Life Coach. You can learn more about her offerings at https://libbymoore.com/.

Ever wonder if your years waiting tables or running a hotel front desk could be a secret weapon in your career arsenal? The answer is a resounding yes! In this episode of REACH, we’ll be exploring how hospitality skills – those honed in the world of customer service, restaurants, cafes, and hotels – translate beautifully into the executive assistant career. Joining us is Janet Kim, Executive Assistant to the CEO of Clubhouse who successfully parlayed her background in hospitality into a highly successful EA career.  We’ll be diving into how skills like anticipation, service, multi-tasking, problem-solving and exceeding expectations seamlessly transition from a hospitality setting to supporting executives.   Janet enjoys sharing her story and experiences with other EAs on her blog called “That Exec Asst Life,” so be sure to subscribe to her social and follow along: https://www.thatexecasstlife.com/

In this episode of REACH, we’re welcoming a baller Executive Assistant panel, showcasing 3 incredibly accomplished executive assistants who worked together at Slack for many years as part of the PDE EA Team. In addition to their roles as individual contributor EAs, as leaders within the EA org they also implemented best practices, developed career pathing for EAs, supported with onboarding and navigated the complexities of an acquisition and the ensuring change management (Salesforce acquired Slack in 2021). Joining us is returning REACH guest from Season 2, Shelley Trask, who formerly supported the CTO of Slack for over 6 years. Next, we’re joined by Sam Andonian who is currently the Lead Admin to Lidiane Jones, CEO of Bumble and has worked for companies like Slack, Google and Disney. And, rounding out our panel is Ellen Grosswiler, who currently supports the VP of Engineering at Figma and was an EA at Slack for nearly 5 years. Together, our esteemed guests will provide valuable perspectives on how they operate as Lead EAs, offering guidance on leadership responsibilities, mentorship, culture and how they navigate a managerial role within the realm of executive support.

In this episode of REACH, I’m joined by Ninni Vanni who’s been a C-level Executive Assistant for 10 years working for companies like Rula, ON24 and Zuora. Ninni holds a master’s degree in communication, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table to weigh in this topic. With a background finely tuned to the nuances of effective communication, Ninni is uniquely positioned to shed light on the intricate role that communication plays in supporting executives and managing the multifaceted and often delicate / diplomatic communications an Executive Assistant encounters.  As we explore the importance of communication in this pivotal role, we’ll unravel the impact of skills like active listening, information streamlining and the art of pushing back when necessary. Ninni’s deep understanding of communication dynamics within and outside organizations will undoubtedly provide valuable insights for both aspiring and seasoned executive assistants.

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, we thought it’d be fun to do an episode specifically for the working moms! In this episode of REACH, we’ll be delving into a conversation that resonates deeply with many: balancing the demands of motherhood and an elite Executive Assistant career working at the top of the professional ladder. We welcomed remarkable guest Camille Howard for this feel good conversation. Camille’s journey to the top is nothing short of inspiring. A US veteran who transitioned seamlessly into the corporate world, Camille now serves as a C-level Executive Assistant supporting the CEO of Mastercard. Beyond her professional accolades, Camille embodies the essence of resilience and balance, seamlessly navigating the intricacies of both career and motherhood. Listen in as Camille shares her insights, experiences, and invaluable wisdom on how she manages the delicate dance between her role as an Executive Assistant and her cherished role as a mother. We’ll explore the unique challenges she’s encountered, the strategies she’s employed to overcome them, and the profound impact her role has had on enabling the executives she’s supported to also reclaim precious time for their personal lives.  And last but not least, Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Administrative Professionals Day to our REACH Executive Assistant community! In the spirit of celebration, we invited our listeners to call in to the show and ask us anything. In this episode we welcomed back Maven Recruiting Group’s VP of Accounts and Growth, Gillian Lopez, to help tackle your burning questions alongside REACH host Jessica Vann. Thank you to all of you who called in to our program and asked such insightful questions around asking for a raise, standing out in your job search, landing an EA to CEO role, adjusting your resume when you’ve been out of the industry for a while, getting your executive to view you as a trusted partner and so much more! We’re excited to share this Q&A episode with you all!

Ann Hiatt is a Silicon Valley veteran with 15 years of executive support experience under her belt. She’s supported many of the titans of tech including Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO of Amazon, Marissa Mayer, former CEO of Yahoo!, & Eric Schmidt, CEO and Executive Chairman of Google. Having pivoted from her career as an Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff, Ann is now a Leadership Strategist & Executive Coach as well as an author and podcaster! In this episode, she’s going to be sharing some of the wisdom she’s gleaned from working closely with some of the brightest minds in Silicon Valley and how she’s parlayed that knowledge into her work as an executive leadership strategist. If you haven’t already, be sure to grab a copy of her book Bet On Yourself: Recognize, Own & Implement Breakthrough Opportunities.

In her nearly 25-year long career, Anita Gaeta has had two primary support relationships, each lasting over a decade, which suggests a lot not only about Anita’s immense value to these executives, but also the depth and extent of her partnerships and the tremendous opportunities for learning and exchange Anita has had. When we look at Anita’s career, she has been courtside with some of the most formidable and accomplished Titans of Tech, including Meg Whitman, former CEO of both eBay and Hewlett Packard, Lars Dalgaard, Founder and CEO of Success Factors and Steven Boal, CEO of Coupons.com. In this episode we hear from Anita firsthand about some of the lessons she’s learned and observations she’s had by being in the room with such renowned tech leaders and executives. One of her best pieces of advice? Always listen.