Kristine Jones

I attribute my success to a genuine desire to continuously learn and grow. I’ve always been naturally curious, which drives me to ask questions, solve problems, and look for ways to improve processes and outcomes. I also believe success is built through relationships. I’ve intentionally cultivated a strong network of mentors, colleagues, and leaders who challenge me, encourage me, and genuinely want to see me succeed. Combining curiosity, a solutions-oriented mindset, and the support of a strong professional community has been instrumental in my growth.

The best career advice I’ve received is to operate—and present yourself—for the role you want, not just the role you have.

Early in my career as a receptionist, I certainly fulfilled my core responsibilities, but I also looked for opportunities to solve problems beyond my job description. I became the go-to resource for conference room scheduling, security procedures, shipping and receiving, and other operational processes. If someone had a question, they knew they could come to me for the answer.

That mindset taught me that promotions aren’t earned by simply completing assigned tasks—they’re earned by creating value. Stay curious, look for problems that need solving, and consistently demonstrate that you can operate at the next level before the title catches up. That approach has been one of the biggest drivers of my career growth.

My biggest piece of advice is to become a subject matter expert in your profession/role/topic/etc. When you’re known as the person who brings clarity to confusion, structure to chaos, and communicates effectively, you become an invaluable resource to your team.

I’d also encourage young women to seek out mentors who have experience in the field. Learning from seasoned professionals not only helps you grow your skills and understand the business, but it also allows you to build a strong professional network and a sense of community. Technical skills will get you in the door, but relationships and continuous learning will help you grow throughout your career.

One of the biggest challenges is compensation. The responsibilities of executive assistants have evolved significantly, yet compensation doesn’t always reflect the strategic nature of the role. Many executive assistants are managing executive operations, budgets, projects, large-scale events, and cross-functional initiatives while serving as trusted business partners.

Another challenge is the lack of clearly defined role expectations. Organizations don’t always have a consistent understanding of what an Executive Assistant’s responsibilities should be. As a result, assistants can be assigned work outside the intended scope of the role, leading to role ambiguity, increased workload, and reduced effectiveness for both the assistant and the executive they support.

The biggest opportunity, however, is helping leaders better understand how to leverage an Executive Assistant as a strategic partner rather than solely administrative support. When executives know how to build a strong partnership with their EA, it leads to greater trust, better delegation, improved efficiency, and ultimately stronger business outcomes.

Three values guide everything I do: respect, service, and impact.

Respect is the foundation of every relationship, whether with colleagues, clients, or friends. I believe everyone deserves to feel valued and heard.

Service is about leading with a mindset of helping others succeed. I enjoy removing obstacles, creating solutions, and making people’s lives easier so they can focus on what matters most.

Finally, impact is what motivates me every day. I don’t just want to complete tasks—I want my work to create lasting improvements, strengthen teams, and leave organizations better than I found them.