Each issue, we hear from an Assistant in a different sector about what unique features shape their role, and those which are universal; in this issue, Kendra Adams shares her perspective as an Executive Assistant in investment and asset management
For more than three decades, I’ve been blessed to have an amazing career as an Executive Assistant. I have spent the last 27 years in finance, specifically investment and asset management, partnering with C-suite executives and gaining firsthand insight into the unique demands of executive support within the investment industry.
I often share the story of what first inspired me to pursue a career as an Executive Assistant. I was fresh out of trade school, stepping into my very first technical role in an office environment. I was super excited and wanted to learn everything I could to be successful in a world that was completely new to me.
There was a young lady in our office named Crystal. She was an Executive Assistant who worked in the C-suite. I didn’t fully understand what she did, but I noticed how she moved through the office with intention, confidence, and energy. I could tell that she had influence.
Over the next two years, I watched Crystal closely, and she became a source of inspiration as I considered my next career move. I learned so much from the intentional and confident way she carried herself. Her role extended beyond traditional administrative responsibilities; she was a visible leader whose influence and impact were easily seen. It was clear that she had earned the trust of those she supported and had built a visible strategic partnership.
Inspired by her example, I finally found the confidence to take a leap of faith and apply for an Executive Assistant position, which marked the beginning of my career in a role that would ultimately shape my professional journey.
Looking back more than 30 years later, I can see how curiosity and purpose led me to a profession I truly love. Throughout my career, I’ve grown in so many ways, discovering my strengths, developing my voice, and strengthening my leadership skills while growing in my understanding of what it means to be a strategic partner… and I’m still evolving.
Crystal first introduced me to the possibilities of the profession. Professional development through the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) then gave me the tools and resources to broaden my skills and strengthen my competencies. Working in the finance industry for over three decades has deepened my understanding of what it truly means to be a strategic partner in this environment.
Executive Support in Investment and Asset Management
I was a little intimated when I first got hired at a global investment firm. I never considered myself to be a numbers person, but I soon realized that working in asset management is more than numbers.
As an Executive Assistant in this industry, you don’t need to be a financial analyst or know how to trade securities, but you do need to arrive with curiosity and the willingness to understand how the business works, who its clients are, who the key players are, how culture impacts outcomes, and what the strategic initiatives are.
It’s good to learn the fundamentals of the business, but don’t assume that you need to become an investment professional.
Finance and asset management is a fast-paced, data-driven, highly confidential, and relationship-focused sector where accuracy is critical and fiduciary responsibility is at the heart of the business.
You must remain keenly aware of what is happening beyond your immediate workspace, both within the firm and across the broader business landscape. In this environment, decisions are being made constantly, and those decisions can have a significant impact on clients, markets, and the firm. Maintaining this level of awareness is essential to anticipating needs, supporting leadership effectively, and ensuring the business has what is needed from an administrative standpoint.
What the Role Requires
A relatively quiet day can shift suddenly in response to market events, a client concern, an executive request, or a business development. In addition to traditional administrative skills, it’s important that Executive Assistants bring the following skills and competencies to this role:
- Understand the business well enough to identify issues that require escalation;
- Communicate clearly and effectively;
- Apply sound financial acumen;
- Have a continuous appetite to learn and grow with evolving technology;
- Anticipate needs instead of simply reacting to requests, recognizing that timing is critical;
- Balance competing priorities, especially when every request feels urgent;
- Protect confidential information and act with emotional intelligence;
- Create capacity for executives to concentrate on strategic priorities; and
- Serve as a trusted extension of the executives we support.
Confidentiality and discretion are essential when working with investors, board members, regulators, and cross-functional teams. These qualities are foundational to the role and vital to earning trust.
Although investment expertise is not required, having financial acumen is a plus. I had to get comfortable with terms such as revenue, expenses, assets under management (AUM), profitability, cash flow, budgets, and investment performance – to name a few. The ability to read and interpret financial statements and other key reports significantly enhanced my effectiveness in supporting my executive.
Financial Acumen in Practice
One of my key responsibilities is drafting a monthly report that my executive refines and expands before sharing with a broad audience. When I first took this assignment, I felt overwhelmed by the amount of financial data that had to be gathered from multiple sources and compiled into a cohesive document. I wanted to do more than simply gather information; I wanted to understand, at least at a foundational level, how the data connected to our business.
Developing that knowledge strengthened my ability to support my executive and gave him more time to focus on strategy. It also prepared me for my service as an IAAP Board Member, where financial oversight and governance are critical responsibilities.
Understanding the Stakeholder Landscape
Equally important is knowing who the key stakeholders are: Who needs to be involved? Who needs to be informed? What matters to them? Which relationships are essential? Understanding these dynamics enables me to navigate competing priorities thoughtfully, build meaningful connections, and help keep strategic initiatives moving forward. To me, every interaction matters.
3 Things to Know If You’re Considering a Move into Investment and Asset Management
- You don’t need to be a finance expert, but you should know how the business operates.
- Discretion and confidentiality are non-negotiable. Discretion goes beyond protecting confidential information; it also means using sound judgment in knowing what to share, when to share it, and with whom.
- Timing is everything. Priorities can shift quickly, so I’ve learned to remain calm, reassess what is most important, and execute with focus and emotional intelligence.
Five Transferable Skills
1. Emotional intelligence
Reading the room, managing your emotions, and responding thoughtfully are key when you are working in a fast-paced environment.
2. Relationship management
Treat every interaction as an opportunity to build trust and strengthen relationships. A strong Executive Assistant understands relationships are built on trust, credibility, and consistency. On any given day, I may interact with the leadership team, investment professionals, board members, clients, colleagues, vendors, and other external partners. Each relationship has its own dynamics, expectations, and priorities. The ability to navigate those relationships effectively is an important part of my role.
3. Communication
Speaking with clarity and confidence is valuable in every professional setting, as well as in your personal life. Effective communication also requires active listening, which is especially important when engaging with a wide range of stakeholders.
4. Leadership
Lead from where you are. You can lead from any position, and you don’t need a formal title to lead. Leadership can look like creating a solution for a problem without being asked or taking ownership of a task and following through until completion.
5. Discretion
I can’t emphasize this enough. In this industry, you may gain access to information long before it becomes public. Discretion is an expectation.
A Day in My Life
One reason I enjoy being an Executive Assistant is that no two days are alike. I am blessed to work for an amazing company that offers a flexible work schedule. I work primarily from home and go into the office at least twice a week.
As the only Executive Assistant at my firm, I receive requests throughout the day from both my executive and other teams. I also maintain ongoing projects, so my start and end times vary according to the work at hand.
Starting the day
I begin by reviewing calendars and email for me and my executive. We also have a standing meeting every Monday at 9:00 a.m. to review the calendar together and to discuss priorities and any new developments. Throughout the week, we are comfortable with connecting by cell phone or using Microsoft Teams chat whenever questions arise or new requests surface. It’s important for both of us to stay connected to ensure we are aligned with priorities, as things can shift at any given moment.
After reviewing emails and making sure the calendar is current, I check the status of follow-up items, act on next steps, and begin working on new requests that may have developed.
Afternoon priorities
I usually take lunch between 11:30 a.m. and noon, although my flexible schedule may call for a later or working lunch. I typically reserve the afternoon for ongoing projects and administrative responsibilities for my executive or other teams, including board-related requests and meeting and travel coordination.
My workday does not end at a fixed time; it depends on the priorities and projects I am managing.
I primarily work remotely; however, when I’m physically in the office, I shift into office management mode, making sure everything is operational and working properly, supplies and resources are available, and those working in the office have what they need.
Ultimately, every Executive Assistant works within a unique ecosystem. Understanding its norms, challenges, relationships, and expectations is important to becoming a valued team member and evolving from task execution into a strategic partnership.
