Admin of the Month: Katie Hendrickson

Our Admin of the Month for September 2024 is Katie Hendrickson, Executive Assistant to the President and COO at AIT Worldwide Logistics. 

Check out Katie's advice video below! 

How did you get into the administrative field and how has your role changed since being in the profession?

I started in the administrative field in early 2016, after 5.5 years of working at The Disneyland Resort to put myself through college. I asked myself, "What do I know I am good at, and what do I find interesting about it?" I suddenly realized that I had a gift and passion for administrative organization. I was always that student that had all of my classwork in color coordinated folders, notebooks, and binders, as well as specific organization systems for my digital documents. Because of this, I knew that I would be a good fit for the profession. Over the past 8 years, I have consistently taken on exponentially more responsibilities, moving from supporting a small business to supporting a department at a private Christian University, being promoted 3 times to supporting the Vice President for Advancement while also serving as Office Manager, to now being at my new organization as Executive Assistant to the President/COO.

During my time spent in the profession, I have seen the administrative field being quietly consolidated into fewer, more strategic roles. During my time at the university, my division went from having five dedicated administrative professionals to one. Because of that, I had to learn how to be incredibly collaborative, to understand how all of the different departments work together, and to keep a bird’s-eye view on all of the moving parts in order to ensure collaborative efforts were happening. We are in a season in our industry where we must keep up with the trends and grow our skills, stand out as strategic players, and deeply understand the business that we are part of in order to maintain our impact and relevance.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I love being a trusted partner, whether it is to a single executive or an entire department/division. I love being one step ahead, having something already completed and ready when my executive needs it, or already having the project plan in place when the team is ready to start. I find the role to be so satisfying and empowering!

What are you most proud of as an Admin?

I am most proud of the legacy that I get to be part of as an Admin, as I am a third-generation administrative professional! My mother was an administrative professional before I was born, and my grandmother was a school secretary for her entire career! My mother became a stay-at-home mom when she found out she was pregnant with me, so knowing that I am picking up the baton, adding to the legacy of these strong women who came before me, fills me with such joy. I know that I make them proud every day when I work hard. 

How has ASAP supported your personal and professional growth? 

I can wholeheartedly say that I would not be in the role I am today without the support of ASAP. A coworker attended an EA Summit and came back to share so many amazing insights that she gleaned. I then attended the EA Ignite Conference in Spring 2022, and learned so many hands-on, applicable strategies and techniques, as well as various new empowering mindsets. It was through EA Ignite that I connected with Melissa Peoples, an ASAP Expert, who is now my professional coach. I earned my PACE certification in early 2023, and then after attending EA Ignite 2023, I was asked to apply for the Advisory Board. I am delighted to work with an amazing group of men and women who are just as passionate about the administrative professional industry as I am!

What is your professional superpower?

My professional super power is this: if you provide me with the end goal, what you have historically done and are currently doing to get to that goal, I can provide you with a streamlined and user-friendly system in order to reach your end goal quicker!

More About Katie:

Katie Hendrickson embarked on her professional journey as an administrative professional in 2016, working in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. She is currently serving as the Executive Assistant to the President/COO of AIT Worldwide Logistics. She holds an Associate Degree in Music from Riverside Community College, and two Bachelor's Degrees in Communications from California State University, Fullerton, as well as her Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE) from ASAP. 

Katie has served on the Advisory Board for ASAP since May 2023 and enjoys the opportunity to speak on the need for comprehensive professional development opportunities for senior-level executive assistants as part of the EA Ignite Committee. She also runs TheAdminAdvocate.space, a blog dedicated to empowering other administrative professionals by sharing the knowledge and wisdom that she has received over the years.

In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband Glenn watching Sci-Fi shows (especially Star Trek), snuggling her 3 cats (Olivia, Riley, and Arthur), being involved in her church, trying new foods, and spending time with family and friends.

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Want to nominate someone for Admin of the Month? Email Lydia Davidheiser, Content Coordinator, at [email protected], or fill out this form.