Executive Leadership Support Forum: Raleigh-Durham: Speaker Interview
Juwana Hancock, CAP
Executive Assistant to President & CEO, CFO, In-House General Counsel & Chairman of the Board
McKim & Creed
Juwana R Hancock, CAP is the Executive Assistant to the President & CEO, CFO, In-House General Counsel and Chairman of the Board at McKim & Creed, Inc. one of the top 200 environmental firms in the US that has also been named one of the top 500 design firms in the country and a Best Firm to Work For. With more than 20 years of expertise, Juwana has proven indispensable in organizing meetings, maintaining calendars, managing busy schedules and coordinating quarterly Board of Directors meetings, in addition to her other daily tasks. Juwana has an Associates of Art in General Office Technology. She became a Certified Administrative professional (CAP) in November of 2011 and has had her NC Notary License for over 11 years. She is a member of several organizations, such as the National Notary Association (NNA); International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP); the American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP); and the Executive Assistants to the CEO’s group. She is married with a 16-year old son named Tristan and German Shepherd named Koda. Juwana loves volunteer work via religious activities, traveling, going to the movies, cycling, volleyball, and spending time with friends and family.
Juwana will be one of the distinguished presenters at the Executive Leadership Support Forum: Raleigh-Durham.
Why is the Executive Leadership Support Forum important for executive assistants?
Although most of us have been in our profession for many years, this is a continuous learning process and we all learn something new every day. The Executive Leadership Support Forum provides ideas for new and different ways for handling everyday tasks and innovative ways to improve. What better way to gain such knowledge than from our fellow peers who understand and know what we experience daily?
Independently, what have you done to work towards professional development in the past?
I have registered for many seminars and purchased books to help me improve in my profession. I have studied and achieved my certification as a Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), and am currently working toward my Organizational Management (OM) certification.
What is one thing you hope to learn or discuss with your peers at the ELS Forum?
I am eager to learn new technology tips and ways to keep up with technology itself. I hope to learn tips that can assist me in being more of a “go to” person when asked questions related to MS Office products and other tech-related areas.
Tell us about a career accomplishment of which you’re particularly proud.
As far as task related accomplishments, I successfully organized a team-building off-site managers meeting for about 30 managers in a past position. In my professional development, I am proud of achieving my Notary license over 11 years ago, achieving my certification as a Certified Administrative Professional about 5 years ago, and currently working toward certifications in Organizational Management (OM) and Professional Administrative Certificate of Excellence (PACE).
In your mind, what is one tool you can’t live without or find especially helpful in your position?
MS Outlook calendar and having my work email synced to my cellphone
Looking back, what advice would you give yourself when you were first starting your career?
To be more in tune to my bosses’ needs and expectations, and take advantage of more learning opportunities for knowledge and success.
Are there any blogs, books, articles or online forums you recommend reading?
I have three awesome and very beneficial must read books: (1) Be a KickA_ _ Assistant by Heather Beckel (2) Lifescripts – What to Say to Get What You Want in Life’s Toughest Situations by Mark Levine and Stephen M. Pollan and (3) Nice Girls Don’t Get The Corner Office: Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers by Lois P. Frankel, PhD
How do you define success within your role as an executive assistant?
Being highly professional, organized and reliable at all times, and also able to handle multiple schedules, multiple tasks and multiple bosses’ needs.
