Elite EA/PA Forum
We are delighted to announce the Elite EA/PA Forum for the UK & Ireland will be on the 30th of October 2025.
Our workshop aims to:
Enhance your influence and impact by mastering assertive communication, negotiation, and self-advocacy skills.
Stay composed and solution-focused in high-pressure situations with practical tools for crisis management and clear decision-making.
Embrace evolving technology by understanding how AI and automation can streamline your role and boost efficiency.
Future-proof your career by building strategic value, resilience, and adaptability in an ever-changing professional landscape.
Keynote Address with Q&A from the audience:
What to expect from Sam's Keynote:
With over 30 years supporting leaders at the highest levels, Sam Cohen brings a wealth of insight, experience, and stories (the kind she can share) to the stage. From 18 years serving within The Royal Household - including as Deputy Private Secretary and Press Secretary to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - to working with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, running the Prime Ministerâs Office at Downing Street, and serving as Chief of Staff to the global CEO of Rio Tinto, Samâs career is a masterclass in discretion, diplomacy, and delivering at the top.
In this exclusive keynote, Beyond the Role, Sam will explore how Executive Assistants donât just support leaders - they shape leadership, drive strategy, and build legacy from behind the scenes.
Join us for this rare opportunity to hear from someone whoâs been at the epicentre of power - and bring your questions! The keynote will include a live Q&A, where you can ask Sam about her remarkable career, leadership insights, and how to truly excel in high-performance environments. (Donât ask her what the Queen kept in her handbag - sheâs not telling.)
Sam Cohen Career Bio:
Sam Cohen has spent the last 30 years working to support leaders in the public and private sectors.
Sam spent 18 years serving The Royal Household, as Deputy Private Secretary to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Press Secretary to The Queen. Sam also served as Private Secretary to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Following this time, Sam worked as Director of the Prime Ministerâs Office at Downing Street under Boris Johnson and, most recently, was Chief of Staff to the global CEO at Rio Tinto.
Source: ABC News - YouTube Channel.
Facilitator - AM: Monika Turner
The Confident Assistant - Speak Up, Go After What You Want & Create The Future You Deserve:
Develop practical strategies to negotiate workload, boundaries, and career growth with confidence.
Learn assertive communication techniques to handle challenging conversations effectively.
Build self-advocacy skills to articulate your value and influence outcomes in the workplace.
Monika Turner Career Bio:
Monika Anna Turner is an ICF-certified Leadership and Executive coach with over seven years of experience helping professionals unlock their confidence, elevate their voice, and lead with authenticity.
Before stepping into coaching, she built a successful career as a Personal Assistant, Executive Assistant, and ultimately Chief Of Staff âgiving her a deep understanding of the unique challenges and strengths of support roles.
Originally from Poland, Monika knows firsthand what itâs like to question your voice and your valueâespecially in a second language. Her journey from self-doubt to self-assurance informs everything she does today. Through her coaching, she empowers assistants and leaders alike to move beyond fear, speak up and create fulfilling careers theyâre proud of.
Panel
Fabiana Goncalves
Executive Assistant to Global VP PerfectDraft & PerfectDraft Commercial Director
An accomplished C-Suite Executive & Personal Assistant, I bring over a decade of experience supporting top-level leadershipâincluding CEOs, Founders, and Executive Teamsâacross multinational and national organizations.
I specialize in executive support that goes far beyond calendar management, contributing as a strategic partner in decision-making, operations, and leadership effectiveness.
Known for my discretion, diplomacy, and operational precision, I help executives stay focused on what matters mostâby anticipating needs, managing complexity, and driving efficiency in both corporate and personal domains. I bring a strategic lens to every task, balancing immediate priorities with long-term objectives.
With a proactive mindset, sharp judgment, and strong communication skills, I serve as a trusted advisor and problem-solver in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.
Rebecca Polson
Executive Support Manager to the Chief Executive
An award-winning Executive Assistant with over 10 yearsâ experience across the higher education, charity, private, and public sectors. Currently Executive Support Manager to the Chief Executive at Alzheimerâs Research UK, she provides high-level support in the fast-paced, mission-driven environment of the largest dementia research charity in the UK.
Her previous roles include supporting senior leaders at the Natural History Museum, the Incorporated Society of Musicians, and the Royal College of Music. She brings expertise in executive support, governance, stakeholder engagement, and complex diary and project management.
Named PA of the Year in 2023 and a finalist in the SecsintheCity PA of the Year Awards, she is known for her professionalism, discretion, and ability to stay ahead of the needs of the people and organisations she supports.
Ola Boddington
Senior Executive Assistant
As a seasoned Executive Assistant, she has honed her skills in management and project planning over the years. She has worked with various organisations, including Zoa, Signal AI, and ConsenSys, where she provided high-level administrative support to senior executives. Her expertise lies in managing complex schedules, coordinating travel arrangements, and ensuring seamless communication among team members.
She is also proficient in using various software tools to streamline workflows and enhance productivity. She is passionate about delivering exceptional service and contributing to the success of the teams she works with.
Claudine Martin
Senior Executive Assistant
Claudine is a highly skilled Senior Executive Assistant, currently supporting the Head of BNY Pershing EMEA. With a distinguished career spanning nearly 17 years in the British Army, Claudine retired in 2023 at the rank of Staff Sergeant, bringing a wealth of experience in high-pressure environments and strategic operations to her current role.
Throughout her military career, Claudine specialised in Human Resources, and served as the Personal Assistant to the Army Director of Engagement and Communication at the Ministry of Defence. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in the planning and execution of significant events and initiatives, showcasing her exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail. Her dedication and professionalism were recognised when she was awarded PA of the Year in 2019 by PA Life.
An advocate for the Executive Assistant profession, Claudine is also a sought-after public speaker. She regularly shares her insights at industry events, including the PA Show, and serves as an advisory board member, contributing to the ongoing development and recognition of the profession.
Claudine is passionate about empowering others and has previously mentored young people through the Diana Award, a programme established in honour of Princess Diana to support disadvantaged youth. Additionally, she has participated in Fast Forward 15, a mentoring initiative aimed at women aspiring to build careers in events, hospitality, or related industries.
With her extensive experience, dedication to excellence, and commitment to mentorship, Claudine continues to make a significant impact in her field and inspire the next generation of leaders. She proudly represented the UK at the Invictus Games 2023, showcasing her unwavering determination and unwavering spirit. In her spare time, Claudine enjoys park run and writing poems.
The Importance of Becoming a Strategic Advisor
Learn how to shift from reactive to proactive.
Develop the mindset and behaviours of a strategic advisor.
Understand how to add value beyond your job description.
Facilitator - PM: Justin Kabbani
AI Is Not Here to Replace You. It's Here to Upgrade You.
We'll explore Justin's proven 3P framework:
Priming â How to set up AI like a strategic advisor by feeding it context, tone and mindset
Prompting â How to craft clear, structured instructions to get consistently great results
Producing â How to turn AI outputs into high-leverage work that makes you stand out
Your session outcomes:
Real examples from admin professionals already using AI to elevate their work
Prompts you can copy, adapt, and test live
Interactive exercises to build confidence fast
A practical challenge to implement right after the session
If youâve been overwhelmed by AI, or underwhelmed by its impact, this session will change that. You'll leave with tools you can use today, and a mindset youâll carry forward for the rest of your career.
Justin Kabbani Career Bio:
Justin Kabbani is one of Australiaâs most in-demand AI trainers and keynote speakers, known for making AI feel simple, powerful, and immediately useful.
Heâs worked with brands like Uber, Treasury Wine Estates, and Udemy, helping their teams embed AI into daily workflows, strategic planning, and executive communication.
Over the past two years, Justin has trained more than 2,000 professionals across Australia and beyond, consistently earning feedback like âmind-blowing,â and âgame-changingâ.
His signature Prime, Prompt, Produce framework has transformed how business leaders, executive assistants, marketers, and teams think, work, and communicate with AI, without needing to be âtech people.â
Justin believes AI isnât here to replace people. Itâs here to take the robotic work off our plate, so we can focus on what humans do best.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinkabbani/
Website: https://justinkabbani.com/
Speed Connections Networking Session
Join us for Speed Connections, a lively 30-minute networking session designed to foster meaningful connections in a fun, fast-paced environment.
Every 10 minutes, attendees will be placed into new breakout rooms with small groups, giving everyone the chance to meet a diverse range of peers.
Each breakout session will feature engaging prompts to spark conversations and make networking enjoyable and memorable!
Who will attend this event?
Executive Assistant (EA)
Personal Assistant (PA)
Virtual Assistant (VA)
Legal Secretary
Legal Executive Assistant
Administrative Assistant
Office Manager
Health Care Office Manager
Chief of Staff
Additional roles may be relevant depending on role responsibilities along with development opportunities.
This workshop is open to females, male including trans women/males and non-binary professionals.
Group Rate Discounts
To discuss our group rates in more detail, please email support@elite-forums.com and provide the following:
Group Number (How many would like to attend)
Event Date (If numerous dates, please advise if we are splitting attendees across multiple dates)
Attendee Contact details (Or request our Group Rate Document. Complete and return - we'll sort the rest.) Group discounts are on request - see below group rate discount brackets:
đ§© You just need one piece to come together - to unlock your Elite Potential. đ
Media outlets/organisations will not be permitted to attend this event.