Executive Assistant of the Week: Chicago

Jackie Feret
Executive Assistant to VP
ABBVIE

Jackie is married to her best friend and partner, Mike. They have one fur-baby, Peanut, a 10-year-old Puggle who is their pride and joy! In addition to walks and playing with Peanut, she enjoys fishing, reading, and watching movies. While she enjoys all genres of movies, she loves a good comedy – especially one with physical humor! While she was born and raised in Iowa, she has lived in Chicagoland for most of her adult life and considers this home. She has completed Dale Carnegie’s 3-week Skills for Success course and recently volunteered as a coach for Carnegie’s 8-week course. She is passionate about building relationships and positively impacting the image and role assistants have in her company.

Jackie will be one of the distinguished contributors at the ELS Forum: Chicago on January 16-17, 2019

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

I partnered with a colleague to organize an event with external business partners. We hosted 21 guests from 11 companies at our campus to meet with internal stakeholders. The event began with a dinner with our external guests, executive leadership, and other internal stakeholders. Dinner arrangements included selecting the menu, obtaining each person’s entrée, and seating arrangements. The following day, each company presented to the internal stakeholders relevant to their company, concurrently in two executive conference rooms. Logistics included transportation from the hotel to our campus; signage; name badges; breakfast, lunch, and snacks catered to each onsite location. This event has strengthened relationships with the external companies and internal leadership and will be held annually.

2. What is your favorite part about being a strategic business partner to your executive?

I look for challenges or inefficiencies – anything that isn’t working smoothly or seems to be taking too much time from my executive and/or our team fulfilling their core job responsibilities. When I see those, I look for a way that I can manage the process so things will go more smoothly. This has raised the level of my contribution and resulted in me being recognized as an indispensable member of the team, not just by my executive but by my entire team.

3. How do you unwind after a long day or week?

When the season and weather permit, I enjoy a good walk with my dog, Peanut. I love “stories” – so a good movie or TV show is always relaxing. I’m excited now to see Outlander return – a good love story/drama/time travel story all in one! My faith is important to me, so you will almost always find me in my local church on Sunday morning – with one of those each month being spent with the children in our community for Children’s Church! Not having children of our own, and living out of state from my great-niece, I get my “fix” with the children in my church community – the two to four-year-old’s are my favorite and always leave me relaxed and full of joy!

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-feret-9aa3ab67/