EA Showcase | Linda McLennan

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This month’s EA showcase is the delightful Linda McLennan, Executive Assistant to the First Assistant Secretary (FAS), Exports Division, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

Our goal is to raise the profile of EAs with a view to build awareness of the Executive Assistant role by sharing the diversity that the role entails, continue to share tips and tricks, encourage each other and talk about the journey in which we all take.

Please share, share and share in support of your peers! 

If you know an EA or would like to contribute and share a little about yourself, please get in touch as we’d love to hear from you.

Ursula x

 

Linda McLennan

1. Name your current role?

Executive Assistant to the First Assistant Secretary (FAS), Exports Division, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

2. Do you remember the first day you became an EA?

I vividly remember my first day as an EA, I had no idea what I was supposed to do, but I learned very quickly working for two branch heads. I also had a very supportive and helpful FAS EA at the time so she was my lifesaver. I was only supposed to be in the role for 12 weeks, seven years later, and I’m still learning and still an Executive Assistant. I consider myself a career EA now.

3. What would you consider to be the most rewarding part of your position as an EA?

The most rewarding part of my role is that I believe that I make a valuable contribution to the strategic workings of the division and ultimately the department. My FAS is my number one priority, always. It’s always rewarding to know that what I organised, planned, actioned, created et al does make my SES officer’s life easier. The EA role makes a difference.

4. What was a role that you have owned or an experience you have had, that helped shaped your success in your current position?

I’m a very strong believer in ‘no job or any experience or training is wasted’ meaning nothing you do is useless or ever a waste of time. I’ve had many roles, I was a chef and owned my own successful businesses while raising three children. All my experiences have helped shaped my success as an EA. The most valuable has been siding myself along other great EAs, finding a great mentor, networking and learning different skills from others.

5. What are three items you can’t work without?

Three items I PREFER NOT to work without is Coffee, Dual monitors, and a good sense of humour!

 

Ursula is challenge driven, and thrives in busy environments.  With over 27 years’ experience as an EA/PA, Ursula has worked with and supported some of Australia's most recognised and rewarded individuals.   Ursula has provided crucial support to politicians, boards and government department heads during some intense periods during her career, earning a reputation for resilience and as an EA that can “handle the heat”. She has an exceptional capacity for organisation, multi-tasking, and prioritising, she is passionate about providing the highest levels of customer service and being a wingwoman to her executive.   Ursula understands just how vital an effective EA can be for their manager and their organisation.  She is passionate about encouraging other EAs to understand their organisation, nurture relationships in and outside the business, learn and develop, and cultivate a “can do” attitude.   Born in Canberra, Ursula is one of six children to migrant parents, she initially struggled to keep up having to attend English speaking classes and learned much of what she knows today from trial and error. Ursula has a Diploma of Business Management, was one of five finalists in the 2019 Canberra Women in Business – Business Woman of the Year category. She has lived on the Sunshine Coast and prefers Canberra (!) is married with one daughter and a gorgeous Kelpie named Tess.

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