Executive Leadership Support Forum: Assistant of the Week: Indianapolis

Bobbe Brown
Sr. Executive Assistant to CMO
Roche Diagnostics Corp.

Bobbe has been an administrative professional for more than 45 years. She currently serves as the Sr. Executive Assistant to both the Chief Medical Officer, Roche Diagnostics North America and the Head of Medical and Scientific Affairs. Bobbe was the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Roche Ambassador for The American Cancer Society and has narrated her personal story in front of hundreds of men and women at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Kickoff Breakfasts in Indianapolis. Her story has been published in Indianapolis Woman’s Magazine and shared on Fox News. As a two-time cancer survivor, Bobbe feels blessed to be able to share her personal triumphs and spends much of her free time volunteering for the American Cancer Society and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Bobbe will be one of the distinguished contributors at the ELS Forum: Indianapolis on January 23-24, 2019

1) Why is the Executive Leadership Support Forum important for Executive Assistants?

As an executive support community, we need to connect on best practices to ensure our leadership receives the proper level of support and effort from our expertise. We have a trust and rapport with leadership that puts us in a critical advisory role, and it is imperative that we have the confidence and the connectivity to support this level.

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

I take great pride and enjoyment in event planning for my entire team. Each year I have the opportunity to lead the planning and logistical management for our National Medical Meetings. It’s quite a challenge to build and execute a comprehensive program that supports the needs of the entire team, while providing a great atmosphere of engagement and connectivity with some unique experiences for building relationships. To have this opportunity to create a program and take it from an idea to full execution is a very rewarding experience for me and each new year exceeds the previous year.

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

MY CELL PHONE!!!!

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

You have the abilities and the skill set to succeed, push yourself and your leadership forward and create great success. Don’t be intimidated.

5) How do you define success with your role as an Executive Assistant?

I believe success in our role can be defined by the trust our leadership puts in us. When you achieve a level of connectivity with the executives you support, they feel confident in sharing more of their needs and responsibilities with you and put their trust and faith in you to manage their schedules, support their needs and advise them on the preferred path forward. Your utility rises with trust and success if found in this level of support.