Clare Solly
Clare Solly is an executive operations leader, creative partner, and doctoral candidate based in New York City, known for her ability to bring structure, clarity, and momentum to fast-paced, high-visibility environments. She currently serves as Executive Assistant at The Associated Press, where she partners with the CEO and senior leadership to manage complex priorities, coordinate board interactions, and oversee enterprise-wide initiatives. In addition to supporting executive operations, she leads a team of eight executive assistants and contributes to large-scale programs spanning global offsites, internal communications, and organizational culture development.
Over the course of her career, Clare has built extensive experience across media, technology, and digital organizations, including roles at Integral Ad Science and Yahoo. Her work has included executive support at the C-suite level, event strategy and production, and cross-functional project management in high-growth and transitional environments. She has supported organizations through major milestones such as IPO-related periods, while also building systems that improve operational efficiency, strengthen team coordination, and enhance executive decision-making.
Alongside her corporate career, Clare maintains a deep commitment to storytelling and the arts. She is a published novelist, actress, singer, and theater producer in New York City, and is actively involved in independent theatrical work, including participation in communities such as Actors' Equity Association, Barefoot Shakespeare Company, and Presents for Paws. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of the Rockies and is pursuing a PhD in Creative Writing at Warnborough College, blending operational leadership with a strong creative and academic foundation.
• University of the Rockies - MA
• Consistently recognized for work performance throughout the years
• Actors Equity
• Barefoot Shakespeare
• Presents for Paws
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience. I don’t allow a “no” to discourage me; instead, I stay persistent, learn from setbacks, and continue moving forward until I achieve my goals.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to show up every day and avoid saying “no” to opportunities, while still using good judgment about when it’s necessary. I’ve learned that staying open to new experiences can lead to unexpected growth and direction. Every opportunity I’ve taken has opened another door—whether through learning something new, building relationships, or gaining experiences that ultimately led me to the next step in my career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to not be afraid to ask questions. Stay curious, and take the time to do your research and homework so you feel prepared and confident. You don’t need to know everything, but having some understanding of the role, the industry, or even the people you’re meeting with can go a long way in helping you grow and succeed.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now center around reliability, adaptability, and understanding the evolving workplace landscape in relation to both media and administrative work. With the rise of AI, there’s a growing need to understand how to leverage it effectively while still maintaining the human touch that technology can’t replace. For example, as an Executive Assistant, attention to detail is critical—remembering personal preferences, anticipating needs, and ensuring a seamless experience are things that require human insight. At the same time, in media, the way people consume information is constantly changing, with many preferring short, fast, digestible content. The challenge and opportunity lie in adapting to these shifts—using tools like AI to enhance efficiency, while still delivering thoughtful, accurate, and human-centered work that truly connects with people.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, reliability, and experimentation. I strive to operate with integrity in everything I do and to be someone others can consistently rely on. At the same time, I believe in the importance of experimentation—being willing to try new things, even if they don’t always work out. Sometimes something works in one moment and doesn’t in another, but each experience brings learning and growth that helps me improve moving forward.
Locations
The Associated Press
New York, NY 10281