Ayanna Castro

In the business landscape, agility is a skill that allows for flexibility and adaptability to change. Some of the fundamental principles behind agile project management include setting iterative goals, embracing failure as learning opportunities, flexibility in problem-solving and cultivating resilience and adaptability.

Join Ayanna Castro and imagine what would happen if you applied those same principles to professional growth.

Learning Outcomes

• The principles of an agile mindset
• The similarities of agile in project management and professional development
• How to apply agile principles to professional development

This session is also available on demand, in our Learning Library

Being extraordinary often involves qualities such as exceptional intelligence, creativity, innovation, perseverance, and resilience.

To develop those qualities, you need to learn to trust your intuition, surround yourself with people who encourage you to be extraordinary and have a plan for growth and development.

External influences can make you feel like you need to do and be more when you already have everything inside of you to be extraordinary. You already have the remarkable qualities and abilities to go above and beyond what is expected or required in a given situation.

Learning Outcomes

• Listening to Your Little Birdie – Following your intuition to make better decisions
• The Importance of a Mentor, Coach, Sponsor & Board of Directors – Surrounding yourself with people who push you to do better
• Managing your 168 – Recognizing what’s really keeping you from doing what needs to be done
• Leadership Doesn’t Come with a Title – Six behaviors necessary for leadership

You often hear about having an inner circle but how do you know if those people have your back?  In this session, Ayanna Castro will share the importance of having a personal board of directors, the characteristics you should look for and the do’s and don’ts of having a board of directors and being a member of someone else’s board.

Learning Outcomes

• The importance of having a personal board of directors
• Characteristics of a board member
• Everyone has a role to play: the do’s and don’ts of having a personal board of directors

Both large and small projects benefit from project management tools. These time-tested tools can help you to get that small project done well, done under budget and on time. This session is intended for administrative professionals who complete project management tasks as part of their position, responsibilities and duties.

In this session, you will gain experience using the most common project
management execution tools such as project tracking, risk monitoring, communication plans, how to address changes and issues and the most underrated tool, lessons learned.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand what is meant by a project
• How to use tools to keep projects on track
• How to develop a communication plan and conduct an effective status meeting
• How to close out a project and determine lessons learned
• Bonus: A sneak peek into how project management is changing

We’ve all done it…created a “to-do” list. We put everything on the list with hopes that we will complete it all and often times, we fall short. The goals and tasks aren’t the problems, it’s the way we look at them. Making a list focuses
on and supports linear thinking which stifles the creative process.

Mind mapping helps you see your goals in a different way to create a better strategy to achieve them.

Learning Objectives

In this session, attendees will:

• Learn how mind mapping can increase productivity by allowing you to see the “big” picture.
• Understand how mind mapping can improve collaboration and
  communication within teams.
• Learn how to enhance project management and spark creativity when faced with new challenges.

Are you listening to your intuition when faced with tough decisions? Are you surrounding yourself with people who encourage you to be extraordinary? Do you have a plan for where you want to go and what you want to do? External influences can make you feel like you need to do and be more when you already have everything inside of you to be extraordinary.

In this session, Ayanna will share strategies on how to embrace being the “total package” by:

• Listening to the “little birdie” – Following your intuition to make better decisions
• Having a personal board of directors – Surrounding yourself with people who push you to do better
• Managing your 168 – Recognizing what’s really keeping you from doing what needs to be done
• Creating a mind-mapped action plan – See your goals in a different way to create a better strategy to achieve them

Personal branding is no longer for companies and celebrities. Having a solid personal brand can open unknown doors of opportunity both personally and professionally. Your personal brand shows up in the way you look and speak, actions and behaviors, and the company you keep.

In this session, attendees will:

• Learn how to recognize their strengths and valued character traits.
• Identify their cross-functioning skills.
• Learn the rules of reputation management.
• Create their own “about me” statement, not a bio.

Ayanna speaks to the everyday woman as an extraordinary woman. Her transparency and sincerity speaks to audiences around the world to believe in themselves and take action. Ayanna is an avid supporter of her clients and an example to follow.

Whether encouraging a group of teens or a large gathering of accomplished women, Ayanna Castro is engaging, inspiring and hilarious all at the same time.  She imparts the type of wisdom that one would expect from a woman who has lived a much longer life than she has.  As the author of “Work Your Package, a guide to being your most complete you”, believe me when I tell you that this sister works her petite package in everything that she does.  Be prepared to be awed by her energy.

This is my second time attending Executive Secretary LIVE. One of my favorite presentations was Ayanna’s presentation. It brought tears to my eyes. You said so many things that are true. My favorite part was about having your personal board, people who support you and people who want the best for you and also have their own goals. Thank you for being so authentic and down to earth.

I was super, super impressed with Ayanna’s presentation. It went straight to my heart. I could give lots and lots of little compliments but the big compliment is that it went straight to my heart. It was well delivered, clear message, completely authentic and sincere.