Term 2, 2026

Guest speaker: Karen Smythe

Executive Assistants often find themselves in the middle of sensitive situations - whether it’s addressing concerns with colleagues, managing expectations with parents, or helping to ease tension within a team. This practical session explores a clear process for approaching difficult conversations with confidence, honesty, and empathy. You will walk away with practical tools and a mindset that empowers you to lead through your communication by resolving issues and at the same time strengthening relationships.

Karen is a professional trainer and life coach with 35+ years’ experience in the training industry, and has delivered training in 27 different countries, cultivating a great understanding of working with different cultures and backgrounds. This wealth of experience training in different countries has given her a wealth of different opportunities and learning experiences within the corporate, non-profit and sporting sectors. She is a perceptive communicator who builds relationships easily at all levels across social and corporate groups. Karen possesses an infectious, energetic passion for training and development which, when coupled with a genuine focus on others, provides the platform for strong relationships, engaged teams and the achievement of both individual and corporate goals. Karen has extensive experience in leadership development, communication skills, business management and the development of systems for successful business functioning.