The Admin Spotlight: Behind the Front Desk

Rhonda Augustus is a seasoned Executive Assistant , confidence communication coach, and keynote speaker with more than 20 years of experience supporting C-suite and senior executive leaders across fast-paced corporate environments. Her background includes partnering with top leaders in industries such as technology, cybersecurity, insurance, risk management, and corporate services, with experience at companies including Bank of America, Ernst & Young, and Willis Towers Watson.
 
In addition to her corporate leadership experience, Rhonda is the founder of The Confident Communicator at Rhonda Augustus, Confidence Communication Coac , where she helps professionals strengthen their communication, confidence, executive presence, and personal brand so they can speak with clarity, authority, and impact. She is also the co-founder of The BEA Network, a professional community created to support and elevate minority administrative professionals through community and learning and development.
 
Rhonda is the author of digital resources including The Repositioning, The Confidence Reset Guide, The Language Shift Guide, and The Power Question Guide. She is currently developing her upcoming book, I Am That Girl, a confidence-centered project focused on identity, voice, resilience, and the journey of becoming the woman God has called you to be. Through coaching, speaking, and digital content, Rhonda equips professionals to find their voice, own their value, and show up powerfully in every room.

Melissa Bennett is a Strategic Project Manager at Cummins Inc., where she leads enterprise initiatives within the Right Environment program, translating complex, cross-functional work into clear, actionable outcomes. With over 15 years of experience spanning Fortune 150 companies and high-growth startups, she brings a rare blend of project management rigor, executive judgment, and people-centered leadership.
Before moving into project management, Melissa spent more than a decade as a trusted Executive Assistant and strategic business partner to CEOs and senior executives, supporting board-level governance, organizational effectiveness, and large-scale initiatives. Her background gives her a unique perspective on how decisions are made, risks are managed, and culture is shaped at the highest levels of an organization.
Melissa is known for bringing clarity to ambiguity, building strong stakeholder alignment, and driving work that strengthens ethical culture and operational excellence.

Rikki Hurt is an Executive Assistant with a diverse background in operations, project management, HR, finance, and small business ownership. Although she had begun transitioning away from the EA field, an opportunity with Surge Staffing brought her back to a company that truly understands and values the profession. Outside of work, Rikki is a wife, mom, and leads social media for her church, combining her love of creativity with her faith and passion for sharing the Gospel.

Annie Croner is an executive assistant coach, trainer, and strategic thinker. She loves to help her clients unlock their badassery, and revolutionize their careers.
Over her 20 year career as an executive assistant, Annie worked for boutique companies across multiple industries including accounting, marketing, nonprofit, and private wealth management. Working in a variety of settings has led to a diverse understanding of the assistant role and the many challenges that often come with it.
 
Annie is passionate about helping those in support roles show up more strategically and garner the respect of their executives, colleagues, and key stakeholders without sacrificing their mental health and well-being. 

Ruth Kilah is a career coach and international keynote speaker. She specializes in helping experienced Executive Assistants accelerate into higher-level roles, amplify their earning potential, and expand their professional impact. As Founder & CEO of Ruth Kilah, EA Career Coaching & Mentoring, she has coached hundreds of Executive Assistants globally to secure promotions, transition into dream roles, and create career paths that once felt out of reach. Her work and insights have also been featured in The CEO Magazine and HR Leader. Whether looking to step into a more strategic role, increase earning potential, strengthen professional brand, or create a clear progression plan, her mission is simple: to help Executive Assistants stop being overlooked and start being recognized for the value they bring.
 
For our listeners, Ruth has provided a free resource: "How to Sell Your Impact as an Executive Assistant".  Check it out at https://www.ruthkilah.com/offers/PwbgwDPr/checkout

Kim Madrid, CAP, is an experienced administrative professional and currently serves as Associate Managing Director of the Executive Office and Administrative Team at the University of New Mexico Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting higher education through philanthropic investment. In this role, Kim supports the CEO and manages a team of administrative professionals, ensuring seamless executive operations and fostering collaboration across the organization.
Kim also contributes to the Foundation’s leadership group, helping shape internal strategy and team development. She is deeply committed to advancing the administrative profession through mentorship, visibility, and professional development. Since earning her CAP credential through the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), Kim has focused on empowering others to recognize their value and pursue meaningful growth in their administrative careers.

 
Jodie Mears is a C-Suite Executive Assistant, speaker, and career coach with over 23 years of experience supporting senior global leadership across tech, infrastructure, and aviation. Currently based at Bentley Systems, she partners directly with executive leadership on governance, operations, and strategic alignment. Recognised as a LinkedIn Top Voice and Digital Woman to Watch 2025, Jodie helps assistants turn quiet work into visible impact through her mentoring programme, Aspire & Achieve, bespoke training for corporate teams, keynotes and panel discussions at events, workshops, and roundtable facilitation on visibility, personal branding, and leadership for assistants. She’s a Fellow of the Institute of Administrative Management (IAM), a Mental Health First Aider, and Advisory Board Member for The PA Show UK. Her frameworks and strategies are used by assistants worldwide to transition from reactive support to recognised partnership.
 
 

Lisa J. Huntley is an accomplished Executive Assistant and Project Coordinator with more than 25 years of experience supporting C-suite leaders in the aerospace, defense, and cyber technology industries. Known for her precision, professionalism, and people-first approach, Lisa has built her career on creating order, connection, and impact behind the scenes of complex organizations.
From coordinating global executive travel and board meetings to managing company-wide events and high-stakes projects, Lisa thrives where detail and diplomacy meet. Her experience spans industry leaders such as Raytheon Technologies, Camber Corporation, and Computer World Systems Corporation, where she has been the trusted right hand to senior executives and project teams

Hannah L. Goddard is an administrative professional who has spent her career supporting senior leaders across government, defense, and private industry. Her work has taken her from the Pentagon to Princeton University, from a helicopter manufacturing company in Michigan to the Veterans Benefits Administration in Washington, DC.
Hannah's career includes supporting the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, where she coordinated with officials across the Department of Defense, Congress, and the White House. She has also served as Executive Assistant to CEOs in the maritime strategy and aerospace sectors, and provided critical support to the Director of Congressional Affairs at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

As a Senior Executive Assistant at Spotify with 26 years of experience supporting senior executives and navigating the dynamics of high-stakes environments, Scot brings a distinctive blend of professionalism, discretion, and approachability to every role. He is proud to be a career Executive Assistant and believes that true excellence in this profession extends far beyond strong calendar and complex logistics management. For him, the foundation of being an exceptional EA rests on three core pillars: emotional intelligence, compassion, and empathy.