Inclusion isn’t just a policy - it’s a feeling. And in this episode of The Admin Avenues Podcast, we’re joined by someone who embodies that truth every day.

Meet Liisa Partanen, winner of the 2025 AIOP Workplace Inclusion Advocate Award, recognised for her commitment to creating workplaces where people feel valued, respected, and truly seen. From intentional daily actions to subtle cultural shifts, Liisa’s impact proves that inclusion begins with the choices we make not the titles we hold.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Liisa’s journey and what shaped her passion for equity and inclusion
• How everyday behaviour can create meaningful cultural change
• Practical ways to approach conversations about bias, belonging and advocacy
• What “quiet leadership” looks like, and why it’s so powerful
• Real examples of initiatives and moments that strengthened inclusion in her workplace
• How inclusion has transformed the way she leads and supports others
• What workplaces must prioritise next to build inclusive cultures that last

Liisa’s insights are a powerful reminder that inclusion starts with intention — and that every one of us has a role to play in creating a culture of belonging.

Tune in to hear Liisa’s story, her lessons, and her vision for the future of inclusive workplaces.

Here is the link to the book ‘Quiet’ by Susan Cain that Liisa referenced: https://susancain.net/book/quiet/

To connect with Liisa on LinkedIn, click here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liisa-partanen-46527399/

Behind every seamless event, trip, or operational process is someone who makes the impossible look effortless, and in this episode, that someone is Yuki Park, winner of the 2025 AIOP Excellence in Travel, Event & Operational Coordination Award.

Yuki shares how she brings structure to complexity and calm to chaos, turning detailed logistics into impactful business outcomes. From orchestrating major events to managing high-stakes travel, her approach blends foresight, empathy, and precision - proving that operational excellence is both an art and a strategy.

In this conversation, we explore:

✅ Yuki’s career path to award-winning Executive Assistant
✅ Some of the projects that pushed her skills to new heights
✅ How she aligns logistics with strategy (and keeps everyone calm in a crisis)
✅ The systems and tools that help her stay ahead
✅ The people side of operations - building trust with teams, vendors, and executives
✅ Her biggest lessons learned and advice for aspiring admins

🎧 Tune in to hear how Yuki turns every moving part into harmony, and why excellence in execution is what truly powers business success.

👉 Connect with Yuki on LinkedIn and follow The Admin Avenues Podcast for more stories celebrating the impact and innovation of admin professionals across Australia.

Connect with Yuki on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yinouep/

In this episode, Candice chats with Yvette Simpson, Founder of The Y Principle and winner of the 2025 AIOP Virtual Business Support Professional of the Year Award.

Yvette shares the story behind The Y Principle, how she built a virtual business founded on clarity, communication, and consistency, and what it takes to deliver exceptional results from anywhere in the world.

We explore:

• How the virtual support landscape has evolved

• The foundations of trust in remote client relationships

• The biggest challenges virtual professionals underestimate

• Advice on pricing, boundaries, and defining your value

• What operational excellence looks like in the virtual space

• The future of the VA/OBM profession as tech and AI evolve

• What’s next for The Y Principle

A must-listen for Virtual Assistants, OBMs, and anyone thinking about building a business in the online support space.

Learn more about Yvette at https://the-y-principle.com and connect with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvette-simpson-b9795a4a.

From project coordination to the Chief of Staff seat, Kartia Giorgi has built her career around turning complexity into clarity and coordination into true business impact.

In this episode, Kartia walks us through her journey from her early days as a Team Coordinator, through senior operations and people leadership roles, to her current work as a Chief of Staff. Along the way, she shares the playbook moves, lessons, and templates that have defined her approach to strategic operations.

You’ll hear about:

🚀 The turning point where “coordination” became “influence”
🛠️ The project management tools she still relies on as a CoS
📊 How to shift from task velocity to business outcomes
🤝 Building alignment across cross-functional teams and stakeholders
🔑 Defining the Chief of Staff remit and what to prioritise in the first 90 days
💡 Common pitfalls for new CoS hires and how to avoid them
🎯 How EAs and project coordinators can build a credible pathway into operations and CoS roles

Kartia also opens up about lessons learned the hard way, how she protects focus time, and the underrated strengths that have carried her from coordination to executive influence.

Whether you’re an EA, project coordinator, or aspiring Chief of Staff, this conversation is packed with practical insights and career-defining advice.

✨ Tune in now to The Admin Avenues Podcast and learn how to elevate your operator’s toolkit into a seat at the strategic table.

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.

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