177/143: Empathetic, strategic, and meticulous about the details, Chynna Clayton has built a career enabling some of the world’s most influential leaders to excel in high stress environments.

Chynna is the founder and CEO of Matriarch Made Development, a consulting firm that centers around helping companies and organizations develop high performing administrative teams, identify and address overall operating structure and event logistics inefficiencies and further cultivate assistant’s talents.

Named in honor of the four generations of maternal women who have paved the way for her to mature into the woman she has become today, Matriarch Made was founded on the principles that enabled Chynna to build a distinguished career in personal, government, and corporate environments.

Raised by a single mother in Miami, Florida, on the outskirts of Liberty City. Chynna studied Event Management and Political Science with a minor in Business at the University of Florida. A proud Florida gator, Chynna’s time at UF helped her to gain exposure to event management as a White House intern during the Obama administration. Upon graduation, Chynna spent years supporting the Obama’s advance logistical teams until leaving her administrative role at The Walt Disney Company to ultimately become the “body-woman” of former First Lady Michelle Obama. In this capacity, Chynna helped Mrs. Obama connect with communities around the world. She ensured every detail of Mrs. Obama’s personal and public facing events were executed flawlessly, directing teams who coordinated Mrs. Obama’s domestic and international engagements.

At the conclusion of the Obama administration, Chynna was retained by the personal office of Barack and Michelle Obama as their Director of Travel and Event Operations, where she continued to help manage the personal obligations of their family while continuing to oversee the coordination of Mrs. Obama’s engagements.

Now at Matriarch Made Development, Chynna helps leaders build core competencies such as but not limited to organization, teamwork, communication, problem solving, accountability and composure in administrative and executive teams. From executive training and coaching to equipping organizations with tools such as scheduling systems, templates, tactics, processes/procedures, events logistics guidance; Matriarch Made helps leading organizations build a systems approach to tackling the inefficiencies that stifle overall potential.

Chynna was most recently highlighted in Michelle Obama’s newly released book, “The Light We Carry.” She has written for O Magazine; been featured in Essence, the Miami Herald, the University of Florida Health and Human Performance Magazine, the Netflix Documentary “Becoming,” and the Michelle Obama Spotify Podcast. Chynna strives every day to be an inspiration for young girls, especially those who have experienced similar life challenges. Chynna resides in Washington, DC with her wife Katina Hoyles.

Links:

🔴 Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2FWphgr6AbA

Chynna's Website: https://www.chynnaclayton.com/
Chynna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chynna-clayton-248b145b/

Diana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-brandl/

The Future Assistant Newsletter: https://the-socialista-projects.com/#newsletter

Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qBSDjTfYOG2x6qos7dKkS

Podcast on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-future-assistant/id1493106661

176/142: Angelina Kirsch – ein wahres Rollenmodell, das mit Authentizität und Vielseitigkeit begeistert. Sie hat als erfolgreiche Markenbotschafterin, Autorin und Model ihren Weg gefunden. Sie teilt ihre bewegende Geschichte über den Umgang mit ihrer halbseitigen Gesichtslähmung und wie sie diese Herausforderung gemeistert hat. Angelina spricht offen über Body Positivity und Selbstliebe und gibt wertvolle Einblicke, wie sie ihre Follower dazu ermutigt, sich selbst zu akzeptieren. Zudem erhältst du exklusive Einblicke in ihre neueste Modekollektion und ihre kreativen Zukunftspläne. Lass dich von Angelinas inspirierender Reise mitreißen und erfahre, wie Leidenschaft und eine positive Einstellung dein Leben verändern können.

Zur Welt kommt Angelina Kirsch mit ihrer Zwillingsschwester am 1988 in Neumünster, wo sie im Stadtteil Wittdorf auch ihre Kindheit und Jugend verbringt. Nach ihrem Abitur macht sie 2008 eine Ausbildung zur Handelsassistentin. Im Anschluss widmet sich Angelina Kirsch ein Jahr lang einem Studium für Betriebswirtschaftslehre, schwenkt 2011 aber um auf Musikwissenschaft – jenes Studium dauert bis 2015.

In der Zwischenzeit, anno 2012 in einem Urlaub in Rom, entdeckt sie ein Agent der Agentur „Place Models“, der für eine Kampagne genau ein Mädchen mit ihren Kurven sucht. Längst konnte sich Angelina Kirsch als Curvy-Model etablieren. Sie ist unter anderem das Kampagnen-Gesicht für Modemarken wie Adler, Bonprix, C&A, H&M, Ulla Popken und Zalando. Sie ist weltweit als Model gefragt und läuft auf den großen Modeschauen der Metropolen Madrid, Mailand und Berlin.

Im Jahre 2016 erscheint eine Castingshow, die Angelina Kirsch direkt auf die Kurven geschrieben scheint: „Curvy Supermodel – Echt. Schön. Kurvig.“ Dort nimmt sie bis 2018 in der Jury Platz und sucht gemeinsam mit Modelagent Ted Linow, dem Modedesigner Harald Glööckler sowie der Tänzerin Motsi Mabuse nach kurvigen Nachwuchs-Models.

Ihr Tanztalent präsentiert Angelina Kirsch 2017 in musikalischen Format „Let's Dance“. An der Seite des Profitänzers Massimo Sinató schafft es die Blondine bis ins Finale und belegt hinter Gil Ofarim und Vanessa Mai den dritten Platz.

Der Münchner TV-Sender SAT.1 engagiert 2020 Angelina Kirsch als Moderatorin für das Erfolgsformat „The Taste“. Während sich hier die Star-Köche Frank Rosin, Alexander Herrmann, Tim Raue und Alexander Kumptner, die talentiertesten Nachwuchsköche casten, moderiert Angelina das Geschehen.

LINKS

🔴 Folge als Video anschauen: https://youtu.be/Wu-D5E6-fBU

Haarpflege: RYC by Angelina Kirsch günstig kaufen | HAGEL Online-Shop: https://www.hagel-shop.de/alle-marken/ryc-by-angelina-kirsch.html

Mode: https://www.rockyourcurves.de/

Diana auf LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-brandl/

The Future Assistant Newsletter: https://the-socialista-projects.com/#newsletter

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Podcast auf YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the-socialista-projects

Podcast auf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qBSDjTfYOG2x6qos7dKkS

Podcast auf Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-future-assistant/id1493106661

175: Ever wondered what it’s like to support a global icon like Serena Williams while managing billion-dollar operations behind the scenes? Grant Firestone reveals how he navigated the high-stakes world of elite sports, entertainment, and major infrastructure — without a traditional roadmap.

In this inspiring episode, we explore his path from Chief of Staff to Serena to leading innovation at LAX and Schneider Electric. Packed with honest stories, leadership insights, and career-changing advice, this is a must-watch for aspiring executives, aviation enthusiasts, and curious minds alike.

🎙️ What You’ll learn:
- The real challenges of working with a world-class athlete
- How aviation became an unexpected career passion
- The power of relationships in career building
- Lessons from managing high-pressure environments
- Why unplanned paths often lead to the best destinations

Grant Firestone is a dynamic leader in aviation management and transportation strategy, with a career that bridges the entertainment industry, government, and global aviation. He specializes in stakeholder engagement, partnership development, advising senior leadership, and cross-functional program execution. Prior to joining Schneider Electric, Grant held leadership roles at Los Angeles International Airport, served as Chief of Staff to Serena Williams, and worked at a Beverly Hills talent agency.

Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Grant studied French and pre-med at Haverford College, where he played men’s lacrosse and earned NCAA All-American honors. He continues to compete with the Beverly Hills Lacrosse Club.

A Los Angeles resident for 13 years, Grant lives with his wife, Olivia, and they are expecting their first child in July. He is fluent in French and is a frequent collaborator in global aviation innovation forums.

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🔴 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3ifST-Mjxc0
Diana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-brandl/
Executive Office Insights Newsletter: https://the-socialista-projects.com/#newsletter
Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qBSDjTfYOG2x6qos7dKkS
Podcast on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-future-assistant/id1493106661