Executive Leadership Support Forum: Assistant of the Week: Boston 

Vanessa A. Farino
Founder & President
Boston Executive Assistants

Vanessa was born in Boston, and is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese. At the age of 15, she became co-owner of a high-end fashion boutique. This early taste of the business world sparked her interest in learning about all aspects of business and led her to pursue a career working with high level Executives. Becoming an Executive Assistant has allowed her to develop and utilize her great organizational and planning skills and over the past 10 years she has had the pleasure of working with C-Suite Executives in multiple industries. Over the years, as an EA, she has become a trusted partner to these Executives and has assisted with numerous projects in various disciplines, such as: multiple company acquisitions, office renovations, business and event planning, and more.

Vanessa’s entrepreneurial spirit and the satisfaction she receives in helping others led her to the founding of Boston Executive Assistants, (BEA). BEA is an organization that promotes the networking and collaboration of Executive Assistants in the Greater Boston area. BEA unites assistants and allows them to meet their peers and network with like-minded professionals. Through monthly meetings assistants are able to empower one another through shared experiences and resources.

Vanessa was the 2017 President of Boston Business Women and was also recently nominated for the 2017 Latino 30 under 30 by El Mundo Boston.

Vanessa will be one of the distinguished contributors at the Executive Leadership Support Forum: Boston on May 2-3, 2018.

 

Why is the Executive Leadership Support Forum important for executive assistants?

There are not too many resources for Assistants today and I think it is a fantastic way to meet, network and share experiences with other Assistants. I attended last year and have stayed in touch with many of them!

Independently, what have you done to work towards professional development in the past?

I have created over 20 events in 2018 for Assistants in the Boston Area through Boston Executive Assistants to continue to help them find their voice, network and share professional experiences.

Name one thing you hope to learn or discuss with your peers at the ELS Forum.

I would love to meet and learn from other Assistants who work with particularly work with Entrepreneur CEO’s.

Tell us about a career accomplishment of which you’re particularly proud.

I am most proud of founding Boston Executive Assistants, we have over 1,000 Assistants!

In your mind, what is one tool you can’t live without or find especially helpful in your position?

I think every Assistant can agree that with internet, our cell phones and our laptops we can move mountains in minutes!

Looking back, what advice would you give yourself when you were first starting your career?

Get a mentor! Today I do have a few mentors but they have all changed my life personally and professionally in so many ways! That is priceless.

Are there any blogs, books, articles or online forums you recommend reading.

I love following all of Bonnie Low-Kramen’s articles/blogs! I also love theadminfiles.com by Denise Bafti!