The Admin Avenues Podcast

Leading with Heart: Mentorship, Team Culture & Empowering Others with Sarah Ford

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 experiences have carried through into her own leadership style.  Throughout the conversation, Sarah offers a grounded and practical perspective on what it takes to build confidence in others, especially in high-pressure environments where self-doubt can creep in. Sarah speaks about the balance required to support people while managing the demands of a busy role. Candice and Sarah also explore the difference between managing and leading, and why admin professionals are uniquely positioned to influence culture, connection and collaboration across an organisation. Sarah shares how she approaches tough conversations, maintains trust within her team, and continues to evolve her leadership style as her responsibilities grow. At its core, this episode is a reminder that some of the most impactful leadership happens quietly - through mentorship, encouragement, and a genuine commitment to seeing others succeed. You can find Sarah on LinkedIn to learn more about her journey and leadership approach here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-ford/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-ford/]  Enjoyed the episode? Follow The Admin Avenues Podcast and share it with a colleague who’s ready to step into their next level of leadership.

From EA to Global Community Builder with Alicia Fairclough

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 Assistants and administrative professionals. What started as sharing knowledge and practical advice online has grown into a thriving international community supporting thousands of admin professionals around the world. During the conversation, Alicia reflects on her journey into the profession, the lessons learned throughout her career as an Executive Assistant, and the unexpected path that led her into content creation and entrepreneurship. She shares the story behind EA How To, the challenges and opportunities that came with building a global brand, and how the needs of administrative professionals have evolved over time. Candice and Alicia also discuss the importance of salary transparency within the profession, the impact of the EA Salary Survey, and why data-driven conversations are helping to elevate the visibility and value of administrative careers. They explore the recent expansion of EA How To into the APAC region, the opportunities this presents for local professionals, and the growing demand for community, development, and connection across the industry. This episode is an inspiring conversation about career growth, leadership, community building, and the future of the administrative profession. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to take the next step in your professional journey, Alicia's insights offer valuable perspective on what is possible when passion and purpose come together. Connect with Alicia and check out EA How To via these links: LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciafairclough [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciafairclough/] EA How To LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ea-how-to [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ea-how-to] Website: https://www.eahowto.com [https://www.eahowto.com/]

Redefining Longevity in the Admin Profession with Sharmayne Riseley

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 experienced professional within the same organisation. Together, we unpack the reality of career longevity in a world that often prioritises constant movement, and why staying can sometimes be the most powerful choice. Sharmayne reflects on how the admin role has evolved over the past two decades, the mindset required to keep growing within the same environment, and the importance of finding fulfilment in the work you do. We also explore: * How to build a long-term, sustainable career in admin * The role organisational culture plays in career satisfaction * Why admin should be seen as a career, not a stepping stone * The biggest misconceptions about the profession * How community and connection contribute to confidence and growth As a proud member of Australian Institute of Office Professionals (AIOP), Sharmayne also shares the value of being part of a professional network and how community can shape both career progression and personal confidence. This conversation is a powerful reminder that success in the admin profession doesn’t have to follow a linear or fast-moving path. Longevity, when built on purpose, growth, and connection, can be one of the most rewarding career choices of all. Key takeaways: * Growth doesn’t always require leaving * Longevity is built through continuous learning and curiosity * Culture and environment matter more than job titles * Admin professionals play a critical role in shaping organisations Whether you’re just starting out or reflecting on your next move, this episode will challenge how you think about career progression in the admin profession. Connect with Sharmayne: Find Sharmayne on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharmayne-riseley-35693253/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharmayne-riseley-35693253/]  IF you enjoyed this ep, subscribe, give us a 5 star rating and share with other admins who might learn from these stories. Be sure to stay up to date with upcoming events, podcast episodes, and opportunities to connect with the admin community by following Admin Avenues.

Emerging Leader, Evolving Impact: Stevie Weine on Stepping Up Early in Executive Support

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, influential role. From developing business acumen to contributing to operational success, she offers a practical perspective on how emerging admins can think and act like leaders from day one. The conversation dives into the realities of leading without authority, balancing initiative with respect for senior stakeholders, and the importance of building trust, credibility, and strong working relationships. Stevie also reflects on the experiences that have shaped her leadership style, and how she actively supports and uplifts those around her. With a strong focus on continuous growth, Stevie shares the habits, mindset shifts, and learning curves that have accelerated her development, along with advice she would give to her earlier self. Looking ahead, she offers her perspective on the future of executive support and the skills emerging leaders need to thrive in an evolving profession. This episode is a compelling reminder that leadership isn’t defined by title or tenure, but by mindset, initiative, and the impact you choose to make.

Innovation in Action: Redefining Administrative Excellence with Lindsay Davies from Atlassian

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 professionals can drive meaningful change inside their organisations. Lindsay has built a reputation for bringing clarity, structure, and calm to complex, fast-moving environments. Known for thinking several steps ahead and quietly making big things happen behind the scenes, she has spent the past four years at global tech giant Atlassian.   In this conversation, Lindsay shares how curiosity, problem-solving, and a willingness to challenge existing processes can lead to powerful innovation - even in roles that aren’t traditionally associated with it. We explore how admin professionals can identify opportunities for improvement, introduce smarter systems, and elevate the strategic impact of the admin function. In this episode - we talk: * The Spark of Innovation * From Idea to Implementation * The Mindset of an Innovator * Collaboration & Organisational Impact * The Future of Administrative Excellence Key Takeaway Innovation in the admin profession isn’t about reinventing the wheel - it’s about seeing opportunities others miss, questioning inefficient processes, and having the confidence to build better ways of working. As Lindsay demonstrates, admin professionals are uniquely positioned to drive innovation because they sit at the centre of communication, workflow, and operational insight. To learn more about Lindsay and her work, connect with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaydaviesea/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaydaviesea/]  Lindsay’s book recommendations are: 1. Break Out of Boredom: Low-Tech Solutions for Highly Engaging Zoom Events by Robbie Samuels [https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BW1YLZ87?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_au] - Packed with techniques and instructions you can pull straight into your next Zoom meeting. https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BW1YLZ87?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_au [https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BW1YLZ87?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_au]  1. Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge by Melody Wilding [https://www.amazon.com.au/Managing-Up-What-People-Charge/dp/0593444655] - Practical conversation starters and useful questions that get you the interactions with your manager that matter. https://www.amazon.com.au/Managing-Up-What-People-Charge/dp/0593444655 [https://www.amazon.com.au/Managing-Up-What-People-Charge/dp/0593444655]  1. KIND: The quiet power of kindness at work by Graham Allcott [https://www.amazon.com.au/KIND-quiet-power-kindness-work/dp/1399417401] - Shares his 8 principles of kindness at work and how to develop them. https://www.amazon.com.au/KIND-quiet-power-kindness-work/dp/1399417401 [https://www.amazon.com.au/KIND-quiet-power-kindness-work/dp/1399417401]  Linday’s Podcast Recommendation - Squiggly Careers https://open.spotify.com/show/6t6vYEeYl3Kmdd0AE6v3xj?si=6ZjbAF_yTq6CEpXrv-Epgw&nd=1&dlsi=77c654193acf4a4d [https://open.spotify.com/show/6t6vYEeYl3Kmdd0AE6v3xj?si=6ZjbAF_yTq6CEpXrv-Epgw&nd=1&dlsi=77c654193acf4a4d]