A powerful personal journey of resilience and transformation. From surviving an abusive marriage to advancing her career beyond oil and gas, this executive assistant shares her story of finding strength, building a thriving life, and inspiring others to believe in their own capabilities.
Her Story
About Chelsea
Chelsea Stone is a Senior Executive Assistant with more than 15 years of experience supporting senior leadership across fast-paced, high-impact environments. She currently supports multiple C-suite leaders—including the Chief Revenue Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, and Chief People Officer—while also mentoring another Executive Assistant on the team. With nearly four years of experience in global software and technology, including a prior role at Papaya Global, Chelsea has spent the past three years at Auctane building a reputation as a trusted strategic partner and an exceptionally proud Senior Executive Assistant who takes great ownership in her craft and impact.
Chelsea’s professional focus centers on high-volume calendar management, preparation of executive meeting decks and materials, and serving as the primary gateway between executives and the broader organization. She is known for her proactive approach, sound judgment, and ability to anticipate needs before they arise. Her philosophy emphasizes building authentic, trusted relationships with the leaders she supports—taking time to understand not only their professional priorities but also their working styles and lives beyond the office to enable smoother collaboration and stronger alignment. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The University of Texas Permian Basin and is certified in the Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE), reflecting her commitment to continuous growth and excellence in executive support.
Outside of work, Chelsea values balance, connection, and fun. She and her husband enjoy two-stepping, shooting pool, playing pickleball, and going to the movies. During the summer months, she can often be found relaxing by the pool and spending time with family and friends. Known for blending professionalism with approachability, Chelsea brings the same energy, dedication, and authenticity to her personal life as she does to supporting the leaders and organizations she serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Chelsea
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the unwavering support of my family, especially my husband. I am fortunate to have a strong support system that has stood by me through every challenge. My husband motivates and encourages me daily, and my mother, who is also my best friend, has been a constant source of support. I would not be where I am today without the encouragement and strength of my family.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Advocate for yourself. Track your wins, ask for feedback, and be clear about where you want to grow. Great EAs don’t just support careers, they build their own.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be organized and confident; treat leaders as people; build relationships beyond the calendar; do not tolerate toxic workplaces—protect your mental health and move on when necessary.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The executive assistant role presents a unique mix of challenges and opportunities. Managing competing priorities, navigating ambiguity, and handling sensitive information require strong judgment, adaptability, and discretion. At the same time, the role offers significant opportunities to become a strategic partner, expand influence across the organization, and drive meaningful process improvements. With visibility into senior leadership and cross-functional initiatives, executive assistants are well positioned to add value beyond day-to-day support, build a strong professional reputation, and grow into expanded or more strategic roles over time.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I place a strong emphasis on honesty, integrity, accountability, compassion, respect, responsibility, and loyalty.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Chelsea
Career Growth & Resilience
From Executive Assistant to Leader: A Journey of Healing, Growth, and Reclaiming Your Strength
I began my career in the oil and gas industry as an executive assistant, supporting one—sometimes two—leaders at a time. It was the world I knew, the environment I was comfortable in, and for a long time, it felt like the safest place for me to stay. My whole family, along with many of my friends, work in the oil and gas industry.
Over the years, my responsibilities grew. I learned how to juggle priorities, manage complexity, and anticipate needs. At one point, I was supporting six executives simultaneously—something I never imagined I’d be capable of when I first started down this career path.
Today, I’m proud to say I’m a Senior Executive Assistant. I was promoted last year, and I now mentor and manage another executive assistant. Looking back, it’s clear how far I’ve come, but the journey wasn’t just professional—it was deeply personal.
For several years, I was in an abusive marriage that slowly chipped away at who I was. Instead of being encouraged to grow, I was pulled further into a dark place. One day, I looked at myself and barely recognized the person staring back. I was exhausted, depleted, and wondering how I had gotten so far from the woman I once was. It’s incredibly hard to focus on a career when your home life is broken.
What kept me going was a quiet but fierce fight inside me. I wanted more—not just for myself, but for my son. While he was never physically harmed, he witnessed far more than any child should. I knew I couldn’t give up. I knew I deserved better, and he did too. And I knew I had to show him what strength and courage really look like.
Leaving took time. Healing took even longer. But I did it. And when I finally came out on the other side, I realized something powerful: as I was growing in a positive direction personally, I wanted—and needed—to grow professionally as well.
That’s when I made the decision to branch out beyond oil and gas. I knew my capabilities. I knew I could support multiple executives, lead with confidence, and bring real value. I just needed someone to believe in me and give me a chance. And someone did.
Today, I am thriving—not just in my career, but in my life. I am now in a happy, healthy marriage with a husband who encourages and motivates me daily. He is my biggest supporter, and I truly would not be where I am today without his unwavering love and belief in me. Alongside him, my family has been a constant source of strength and support throughout every chapter of my journey. I am incredibly blessed to have a strong support system and to be surrounded by people who lift me up and want to see me succeed.
I’ve proven to myself that I am capable of more than I ever allowed myself to believe. I’ve built a career I’m proud of, stepped into leadership, and rediscovered my voice along the way.
I share this story in the hope that it reaches another woman who may feel stuck, broken, or unsure of her next step. There is hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Growth looks different for everyone—professionally, personally, or both—but no matter what that growth looks like for you, know this: you are strong, you are beautiful, and you do not deserve to have your light dimmed by anyone.
Keep going. You’re capable of more than you know.
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