Pre-Conference Workshops

The Elite EA Masterclass

09:00- 5:00 PM 

From Support Role to Strategic Partner: Your Career Transformation Starts Here!

• The most successful Executive Assistants aren’t defined by the executives they support, but by how they transform those executives’ effectiveness through strategic partnership rather than mere support.

• The Executive Assistant who masters both human connection and technological advancement doesn’t just survive disruption—they become the indispensable bridge between the efficiency of automation and the emotional intelligence that drives organisational success. The difference between a career plateau and continued advancement for Executive Assistants isn’t technical skill—it’s the courage to step beyond your assigned role and into the strategic vacuum others haven’t yet recognised

Are you ready to be recognised as the strategic asset you truly are?

The Elite EA Masterclass isn’t just another training program—it’s your career reinvention blueprint. Designed exclusively for ambitious Executive and Personal Assistants who refuse to be boxed in by outdated perceptions, this intensive experience  transforms how you work, how you’re perceived, and where your career can go.

The Reality EAs Face in 2025:

• Expected to master AI tools without proper training
• Transitioning from administrative to strategic roles with little guidance
• Navigating unclear pathways from “assistant” to “advisor”
• Managing increasing responsibilities without corresponding compensation
• Fighting to be recognised as more than “just an Assistant”

Your 4-Session Journey to Excellence:

1. Confidence, Empowerment, and Mindset breakthrough limiting beliefs and develop the executive mindset that
commands respect

2. Executive Presence and Creating Opportunities Master the subtle art of presence that turns heads and opens doors

3. Strategic Thinking and Leadership Elevate your thinking from task execution to strategic partnership

4. Effective Partnering and Career Progression Position yourself for advancement and negotiate your true value

The 5 Essential Skills Every EA Needs in 2025:

1. Insight & Decision-Making Capabilities - Move beyond executing decisions to shaping them

2. Adaptability in Rapidly Changing Environments - Thrive amid uncertainty while others merely survive it

3. Executive-Level Communication - Speak with the clarity and influence that drives organisational outcomes

4. Critical Thinking Beyond Basic Problem-Solving - Anticipate needs and develop strategic solutions before problems arise

5. Digital Literacy, Especially AI Integration - Harness technology as a force multiplier for your effectiveness
EXCLUSIVE BONUS: Receive a custom AI prompt template designed specifically for EAs to automate routine tasks and
reclaim valuable time.

Don’t just survive your workday—learn to thrive within it. Your executives (and your peace of mind) will thank you.

Through expert-led sessions, immersive exercises, and personalised guidance, you’ll emerge with both the mindset and
practical tools to transcend the traditional boundaries of your role.

Your career evolution doesn’t have to wait. The strategic partner your executive needs is already within you—we just help bring it to the surface.

Conference Day One

Session 1: 9:00 AM – Opening Remarks from Chair AM – Mihi Whakatau / Opening Ceremony

Session 2: 9:30 AM: Opening Remarks from Chair

Sina Mikaio is a transformational coach and speaker who guides people to reconnect with their values, uncover their purpose, and create inspired visions for their lives. With experience in recruitment, HR, and business ownership, alongside her roles as a wife and mother, Sina understands the reality of shifting identities and the pressure of “being everything to everyone.” Her coaching approach helps clients move from busyness to clarity, releasing self-doubt and stepping into authentic, confident leadership. Whether through one-on-one sessions or group programs, Sina empowers others to embrace their gifts, align with what matters most, and live with courage and joy.

SESSION 1 9:40 AM: Building and Sustaining Professional Networks and Communities

This session will focus on the importance of networking in career development for EAs and PAs, highlighting methods to build, maintain, and utilize professional networks effectively. Attendees will learn best practices for networking, leveraging connections to support both personal and organizational goals. Additionally, the session will explore creative approaches to building networks and communities, utilizing the unique authority of EAs to implement new ideas for improving workplace culture.

10:30 AM: IT’S TIME….FOR NETWORKING!

10:50 AM: MORNING TEA

SESSION 2 11:20 AM: The Leadership Essentials for Being an EA/PA

The role of an EA/PA isn’t just about support—it’s about leadership. To excel in today’s dynamic and demanding work environments, EAs and PAs must master core leadership skills that empower them to influence outcomes, foster collaboration, and drive results. This session explores the essential leadership qualities every EA/PA needs to thrive and succeed in their pivotal roles.

Joint Session with Women in Leadership Summit SESSION 3: EXCLUSIVE KEYNOTE SESSION 12:10 PM: Building Sharesies and Redefining Leadership in the Start-Up World

Despite New Zealand ranking 4th globally for entrepreneurial women, only 33% of local start-ups are led by women—Sharesies is a rare exception. In this session, co-founder and co-CEO Brooke Roberts shares how she left the corporate world to build a values-driven investing platform from the ground up. From launching while pregnant and working unpaid, to raising capital and growing a community of over 700,000 investors, Brooke offers a candid look at the challenges, lessons, and purpose-led leadership behind Sharesies’ success. 1:1

1:10 PM: LUNCH

SESSION 4: IN-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP 2:10 PM: Harnessing AI and New Technologies to Enhance EA Efficiency

In this cutting-edge session, explore how the latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and technology can revolutionize your role as an Executive Assistant (EA). Discover practical ways to integrate these tools into your daily workflow to boost productivity, streamline tasks, and elevate your professional impact.

SESSION 5 3:00 PM: Master Your Workflow, Elevate Your Impact: The Strategic EA’s Guide to Productivity

Is your to-do list managing you instead of the other way around? Join Jacqueline Delarue for a game-changing productivity session where you’ll discover why the most successful EAs aren’t those who complete the most tasks—but those who complete the right tasks at the right time. In just one session, master the mindset shifts and practical strategies that will:

• End the cycle of overwhelm for good
• Transform chaotic workloads into structured systems
• Replace stress-inducing habits with peace-of-mind practices
• Revolutionise how you handle emails, meetings, and calendar management

3:50 PM: AFTERNOON TEA

Joint Session with Women In Leadership Summit SESSION 6: CLOSING KEYNOTE SESSION 4:10 PM: Laughing in the Face of Adversity: Leading with Grit, Grace & a Bit of Sas

In this bold and refreshingly honest session, acclaimed comedian and writer Justine Smith shares what it takes to lead with resilience and authenticity in industries that weren’t built to welcome you. Drawing from over two decades in the high-pressure world of comedy and television, Justine explores how to hold your ground, use humour as a leadership tool, and navigate challenges with grit and grace. With sharp insights and unfiltered honesty, she’ll unpack what it means to succeed without losing yourself — and how to lead others while still learning to back yourself

Conference Day Two | 16th October

9:00 AM – Day 1 Recap & Opening Remarks

Joint Session with Women In Leadership Summit SESSION 1: CO-LOCATED KEYNOTE 9:10 AM: Breaking Barriers and Redefining Leadership

Dame Farah Palmer will share how women can push boundaries, claim visibility, and embrace reinvention while leading with authenticity. Drawing on her journey as a Māori woman in sport and governance, she will explore how intersectionality shapes leadership and fuels inclusion. Through powerful stories and practical strategies, she will inspire leaders to navigate change, build influence, and create pathways for the next generation.

Joint Session with Women In Leadership Summit SESSION 2: CO-LOCATED KEYNOTE 10:10 AM: Embracing the Pivot

In this uplifting session, broadcaster and author Toni Street shares how the biggest breakthroughs in her career have come from moments of unexpected change. She reflects on how moving from sport to journalism and navigating personal challenges shaped her path and taught her the value of staying open to new possibilities. With honesty and clarity, Toni encourages women to see change not as a setback but as a chance to grow, evolve, and lead with confidence.

11:10 AM: MORNING TEA

Joint Session with Women In Leadership Summit SESSION 3: CO-LOCATED KEYNOTE 11:30 AM: The Hidden Costs of Success in Fashion

In this dynamic and candid conversation, Karen Walker will share the lesser-known challenges of leading an award-winning fashion house, offering a rare look beyond the glamour into the realities of sustaining creative excellence, commercial success, and personal resilience. She will explore the pressures of constant innovation, the balancing act between artistry and business demands, and the leadership skills needed to guide a team through shifting markets and public scrutiny. Attendees will leave with practical insights on navigating visibility, maintaining authenticity under pressure, and leading with both courage and clarity in industries where perception often overshadows reality.

12:30 PM: Quick Break & Lucky Door Prize & Lunch

SESSION 4 1:30 PM: Shifting From Hustle & Grind to Empowered Achievement

Sina Mikaio for an inspiring keynote on transcending relentless hustle to embrace empowered achievement. Discover actionable strategies to break free from the grind and attain balanced success. Learn to conquer past challenges, energize your present, and shape a future where ambition and ease thrive together

Key Takeaways:

• Liberate yourself from the hustle and grind mentality.    

• Cultivate inner peace while chasing your goals.    
• Achieve professional success without sacrificing personal fulfillment.    
• Prioritize self-care and build emotional resilience.    
• The 7 essential truths for empowered excellence

Step into a journey of empowerment and holistic success with Danielle’s guidance. Equip yourself with practical tools and insights to thrive in your career while safeguarding your wellbeing.

SESSION 5: EXCLUSIVE FIRESIDE CHAT 2:20 PM: Learning to Embrace Change, Cultivate Resilience, Prioritise Self-care as Your Career Grows

3:10 PM: AFTERNOON TEA

SESSION 6 3:30 PM: Building a strong and in-demand personal brand as an Executive Assistant

• What a personal brand is and WHY it’s super powerful for your career development as an Assistant AND helping to market your organisation

• How I intentionally built a personal brand (as an EA and now a business owner) and the learnings you can steal to benefit your career growth

• How to start intentionally building a personal brand TODAY that will benefit long term your career long term.

4:15 PM: CLOSING REMARKS & CLOSE OF CONFERENCE

Post-Conference Workshop

The Practical Leadership Playbook: Leading with Clarity & Courage

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

“I wish I had done this workshop two years ago when I started as a manager”

What You’ll Learn:

Grounded in research and tested in practice, this masterclass will help you to: 

• Strengthen self-awareness and emotional regulation
  Understand your personal leadership style, manage emotional responses and build lasting resilience.
• Set clear expectations for behaviour, performance, and working relationships
  Create a culture of accountability and psychological safety through clear boundaries and shared commitments.
• Provide advanced support to your team
  Recognise and respond to what your team members need to succeed and grow and manage in challenging times.
• Deliver feedback that drives performance and development
  Learn how to give confident, constructive feedback that supports good behaviour, addresses concerns early and strengthens your team.
• Navigate brave conversations with clarity and care
  Use the Correction Continuum to prepare for and engage in the conversations that matter—early, effectively and with integrity.
•  

• A practical leadership workbook packed with tools, templates, conversation scripts, and frameworks you can use for years to come.
  
  
  

“Every time I need to have a brave conversation, I go back to the templates and scripts. They give me the support and confidence I need to prepare well

• A peer learning experience that connects you with like-minded leaders navigating similar challenges.
• The confidence and capability to immediately apply what you’ve learned in your leadership role.

“This is the most practical workshop I’ve ever attended.”