The Admin Spotlight: Behind the Front Desk

Melissa Bennett is a Strategic Project Manager at Cummins Inc., where she leads enterprise initiatives within the Right Environment program, translating complex, cross-functional work into clear, actionable outcomes. With over 15 years of experience spanning Fortune 150 companies and high-growth startups, she brings a rare blend of project management rigor, executive judgment, and people-centered leadership. Before moving into project management, Melissa spent more than a decade as a trusted Executive Assistant and strategic business partner to CEOs and senior executives, supporting board-level governance, organizational effectiveness, and large-scale initiatives. Her background gives her a unique perspective on how decisions are made, risks are managed, and culture is shaped at the highest levels of an organization. Melissa is known for bringing clarity to ambiguity, building strong stakeholder alignment, and driving work that strengthens ethical culture and operational excellence.

Rikki Hurt is an Executive Assistant with a diverse background in operations, project management, HR, finance, and small business ownership. Although she had begun transitioning away from the EA field, an opportunity with Surge Staffing brought her back to a company that truly understands and values the profession. Outside of work, Rikki is a wife, mom, and leads social media for her church, combining her love of creativity with her faith and passion for sharing the Gospel.

Annie Croner is an executive assistant coach, trainer, and strategic thinker. She loves to help her clients unlock their badassery, and revolutionize their careers. Over her 20 year career as an executive assistant, Annie worked for boutique companies across multiple industries including accounting, marketing, nonprofit, and private wealth management. Working in a variety of settings has led to a diverse understanding of the assistant role and the many challenges that often come with it.   Annie is passionate about helping those in support roles show up more strategically and garner the respect of their executives, colleagues, and key stakeholders without sacrificing their mental health and well-being. 

Ruth Kilah is a career coach and international keynote speaker. She specializes in helping experienced Executive Assistants accelerate into higher-level roles, amplify their earning potential, and expand their professional impact. As Founder & CEO of Ruth Kilah, EA Career Coaching & Mentoring, she has coached hundreds of Executive Assistants globally to secure promotions, transition into dream roles, and create career paths that once felt out of reach. Her work and insights have also been featured in The CEO Magazine and HR Leader. Whether looking to step into a more strategic role, increase earning potential, strengthen professional brand, or create a clear progression plan, her mission is simple: to help Executive Assistants stop being overlooked and start being recognized for the value they bring.   For our listeners, Ruth has provided a free resource: "How to Sell Your Impact as an Executive Assistant".  Check it out at https://www.ruthkilah.com/offers/PwbgwDPr/checkout

Kim Madrid, CAP, is an experienced administrative professional and currently serves as Associate Managing Director of the Executive Office and Administrative Team at the University of New Mexico Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting higher education through philanthropic investment. In this role, Kim supports the CEO and manages a team of administrative professionals, ensuring seamless executive operations and fostering collaboration across the organization. Kim also contributes to the Foundation’s leadership group, helping shape internal strategy and team development. She is deeply committed to advancing the administrative profession through mentorship, visibility, and professional development. Since earning her CAP credential through the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), Kim has focused on empowering others to recognize their value and pursue meaningful growth in their administrative careers.