The Admin Avenues Podcast

In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Ford, winner of the 2025 AIOP Awards Excellence in Mentorship & Team Leadership Award, for a conversation that goes beyond traditional leadership and into the real impact of supporting others to grow. Sarah shares how mentorship has shaped her career and the way she leads today, reflecting on the people who influenced her early on and how those experience...

In this episode of The Admin Avenues Podcast, Candice Burningham sits down with Alicia Fairclough, Founder of EA How To, one of the world's largest and most influential communities for Executive Assistants. After building a successful career supporting CEOs in the technology sector, Alicia transformed a passion project into a global platform dedicated to improving the working lives of Executive As...

Redefining Longevity in the Admin Profession with Sharmayne Riseley In this episode, we sit down with Sharmayne Riseley to explore what a truly long and meaningful career in the admin profession can look like. Celebrating an incredible 28 years with the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), Sharmayne shares her journey from her early days in admin through to becoming a respected and...

In this episode of The Admin Avenues Podcast, Candice sits down with Stevie Weine, recipient of the 2025 AIOP Emerging Leader in Executive Support Award, to explore what it really means to step into leadership early in your career. Stevie shares her journey into executive support, the pivotal moments that shaped her growth, and how she began moving beyond traditional support into a more strategic,...

Season 2 - Episode 2: Innovation in Action: Redefining Administrative Excellence with Lindsay Davies from Atlassian Innovation isn’t confined to product teams or technology departments, it’s happening every day in the admin profession. In this episode, Candice Burningham sits down with Lindsay Davies, recipient of the 2025 AIOP Innovation in Administrative Excellence Award, to explore how admin pr...

The Admin Avenues Podcast Season 2 | Episode 1 : The Admin’s Guide to Thoughtful Corporate Gifting with Samantha Finnegan Corporate gifting often lands squarely on the desk of an administrative professional — whether it’s organising client thank-yous, executive gifts, event welcome packs or end-of-year appreciation. But how do you choose gifts that feel thoughtful, memorable and aligned with your...

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...

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...

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 virt...

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 playbo...

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 suppo...

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 l...

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 ho...

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 de...

From fundraises and M&A to COVID, downturns and rapid pivots, Janice Parker has seen the full tech rollercoaster. Janice has worked for some of the largest tech firms globally both here in Australia and in London, UK.  In this episode, Janice shares what it’s really like operating as a remote-first, strategic EA in high-growth environments, why community matters, and how she’s thinking about t...

In this episode of The Admin Avenues Podcast , I’m joined by Suzy Miller - CEO, AFR 100 Women of Influence, award-winning Leadership Specialist, Speaker, and Executive Coach - to talk about what it really takes for admin professionals to step into their leadership potential. Ahead of her keynote Lead with Impact: From Admin to Leader at the Admin Avenues Conference , Suzy shares the mindset shifts...

In this episode, Candice chats with Alison Shamir as she explores the inner dialogue that holds high achievers back, and how to dismantle it for good. Alison is the Author of Conquer Your Imposter, Imposter Syndrome Expert, International Speaker & Coach. What We Covered: Alison’s personal story of navigating debilitating imposter syndrome during her tech career Why admin professionals, especia...

In this episode of The Admin Avenues Podcast, I sit down with Samantha Cox, globally experienced executive support professional, Founder of Samantha Cox International, and former EA to Sir Richard Branson during her tenure on Necker Island. Sam takes us inside the whirlwind world of supporting one of the most dynamic leaders on the planet, sharing the lessons she learned, the strategies she used t...

In this episode, Candice sits down with Rachael Bonetti, a former C-suite EA turned coach, speaker, speaker, corporate trainer, mentor and advocate for admin professionals. Known for her honest, deep insights, and passion for changing the narrative, Rachael shares her journey from burnout to breakthrough, and why now is the moment for EAs to step up, stand out, and rewrite the rules. With decades...

In this episode of The Admin Avenues Podcast , I sit down with Heather Batchelor FAIOP, a true stalwart of the admin profession with an incredible 40-year career - to talk about leadership, legacy, and breathing new life into one of Australia’s oldest professional associations, the Australian Institute of Office Professionals (AIOP). Heather opens up about her journey from her first admin role to...

In this episode of The Admin Avenues Podcast, we sit down with Ruth Kilah, Founder of Hoxton Hyde, Executive Coach, Consultant and Advocate for Admin Excellence. We sat down to talk about what it really takes to future-proof your admin career. Ruth is a career coach and mentor who helps experienced Executive Assistants move into higher-level roles where they can grow their income, influence, and i...

In this inspiring episode, Candice sits down with Kristine Niven, a purpose-driven Executive Assistant who’s making waves in the education sector. Kristine currently supports the Associate Principal at St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar, one of Melbourne’s leading independent schools, and is also the visionary behind EAs in Education, a professional learning network designed to uplift and connect admin...

Meet Chelsea Lewis, Executive Assistant and Office Manager at Zimmermann, the global luxury fashion brand. Ever wondered what happens when high-level executive support meets luxury fashion and entrepreneurial drive? Chelsea shares her inspiring journey, from receptionist to C-suite EA, founder of her own business, and now, a soon-to-be mum. With experience across music, media, and fashion, support...

I get asked all the time: “What is GIFTA Benefits?” And honestly, it’s not something I can explain in just one sentence. So I sat down with our sponsor and GIFTA Benefits Co-Founder, Dion Bastian, to let him explain it in full. Dion shares his journey from engineering in the mines to co-founding one of Australia’s leading rewards and benefits platforms. Along the way, he discovered what many of us...

Welcome to The Admin Avenues Podcast! In each episode, I’ll be chatting with inspiring Australian admin professionals, expert advisors, and a few surprise guests you won’t want to miss. No matter where your admin career has taken you, this is your space to learn, grow, and connect with the people shaping the future of our profession. Expect real stories, practical insights, and expert advice to he...