About us

Background

With a mutual interest in seeing Executive Assistants find their ‘true north’ through connection, collaboration and capability. Our Founding Members were regularly asked by EAs to establish an EA Network. Established respectfully within the EA community in Canberra since 2020, the Founders embarked on the creation of the LEAD EA Network.

Collaborating with local Business Partners to support the Networks across Australia. The LEAD EA Network provides business development opportunities, outstanding events, personal and professional development, leadership and insight to foster a high calibre and innovative EA Network.

All partnerships will be considered by the Committee, as we continue to partner with affiliated businesses to expand our offers to our members.

Get in touch with us here if you wish to collaborate.

The LEAD EA Network proactively supports both the private and public sectors and all levels of Executive and Personal Assistants.

All members receive a complimentary discovery session with any one of our Committee Members

The Committee

Our Advisory Committee consists of three sub-committees which support the overall development and structure of the Network and the pathways we encounter.

These members provide much-valued leadership by sharing their vision, advice and contribution to each program.

The Committee Members' experiences are aligned to the EA/PA journey and pathways encountered and therefore deliver relevant content, events and experiences to suit.

Kyra

Kyra has 9 years’ experience working as an Executive Assistant. She brings a range of perspectives and ideas to her work, along with the ability to sustain strong collaborative relationships. Kyra has extensive knowledge and experience in the provision of high-level administrative support across a number of Departments in the Australian Public Service. She also enjoys playing a leadership role within EA networks and has taken on a number of mentor roles, supporting less-experienced EAs both within her Department and externally. She is passionate about supporting and building up new EAs to be the best they can be.

Prior to joining the Public Service, Kyra held various Administrative Assistant positions in the private sector working in residential property valuations and commercial asset management. She was able to hone the skills she learned in these roles and apply them when she moved into the EA role.

When she’s not at work you will find Kyra spending time with her two young sons, whether it’s at the swimming pool, riding bikes or making mud pies in the backyard.

Donna McTavish, Chair

Donna has over 30 years of experience as an Executive Assistant and can recall the era of the typing pool! She is passionate about mentoring EAs who are just commencing their career and developing training and leadership pathways to guide EAs on their journey in the career. Donna works closely with her Executives as a business partner and understands the importance of knowing the business of your executive and their strategic objectives and goals. She believes in networking both internally and externally and using those connections to work collaboratively, share knowledge and experiences. Donna balances work and life with spending time at home with her two daughters and canine family member Milo. A Pilates enthusiast, she also partakes in regular walks, massages and enjoys quiet time reading and watching movies.

Ursula Kohler, Chair

With both private and public sector long-term EA experience, Ursula is an EA career advocate and Founder of Capital EA, which she founded after seeing a gap in the market of businesses needing to recognise the potential of a good EA. Ursula loves to challenge EAs to step out of their comfort zones, empowering them to chase their dreams by helping provide a little focus, confidence and some clear vision. Through good leadership and a long-term plan for success, the role of the EA continues to be acknowledged as a career that is growing and moving rapidly as a crucial member and wing person to the Executive and their team.

The Committee Support

Ciana Kohler, Business Operations

Ciana has developed some serious skills when it comes to adapting to a reactive and ever-changing work environment. Ciana has worked with alongside high-achieving business leaders, dignitaries, and people of high distinction.

Ciana considers her role with Lead an integral part of the Network and hugely inspiring to see with her own eyes the insights of what an EA is actually capable of doing!

Ciana joined the Lead team to drive the many programs offered, including making valued connections and a whole new network along the way!

Ambassadors

Belinda Barnier

Sophie Jeffrey

Glenys Beauchamp

Founding Business Partners

Capital EA

Capital EA is a boutique agency providing high-quality executive support, professional and personal development for EAs and specialised recruitment for office professionals. The principals of Capital EA have collectively over 50 years' experience and have worked with and supported some of Australia’s most recognised and rewarded individuals.

Interested in joining our Advisory Committee?

We welcome Executive Assistants and Personal Assistant from all industries that may wish to join our fabulous Advisory Committee, and ask that you consider the following –

Members principle requirements:

Must have relevant EA/PA experience;
Must align to one of the Network's sub-committee structures, either Enterprising, Leading or Pathways (see further information about these above);
Attendance at the two in-person Advisory Committee meetings;
Must be an active member by providing advice for a minimum 12 months to support the development of the membership obligations;
Must work with your sub-committee to create, design and lead the architecture of an event/experience aligned with the members' needs; and
A willingness to LEAD an event of your choice either virtually or in-person
Must be willing to sign a Confidentiality Agreement and agree to the Committee’s Terms of Reference.