185: Go behind the scenes of Microsoft Germany’s CEO Office with two inspiring women: Andrea (Executive Assistant) and Svetlana (Chief of Staff). In this candid conversation, they share what it really takes to support a top executive, manage complex schedules, and keep leadership moving at full speed.

Discover:
✅ The difference between an Executive Assistant and a Chief of Staff
✅ How to manage the CEO Office of Microsoft Germany
✅ Career insights and skills for assistants and chiefs of staff
✅ Tools and strategies that keep leadership effective
✅ Why collaboration and trust are the key to success

This episode is packed with career tips, leadership insights, and behind-the-scenes stories from the fast-paced world of Microsoft. Perfect for aspiring Executive Assistants, future Chiefs of Staff, or anyone curious about leadership support at the highest level.

Svetlana Barsova has been with Microsoft for over 14 years, spending most of that time working at Microsoft in Russia. Since 2023, she has served as Chief of Staff to Agnes Heftberger, CVP & CEO of Microsoft Germany & Austria. Svetlana enjoys engaging with other CEO Offices from our customers and is passionate about sharing how we shape our own CEO Office, foster open and transparent communication, and integrate Copilot into our daily work.

Andrea Bross has been with Microsoft Germany for over 6 years and, since July 2024, has been the Executive Assistant to Agnes Heftberger, CVP & CEO of Microsoft Germany & Austria. She supports executive assistants in customer and partner organizations on their journey toward a modern and digital workplace. For the past year and a half, Copilot has become an indispensable part of Andrea’s daily work—she’s happy to demonstrate in customer workshops when and where it can be used in the assistant role. Beyond that, she’s deeply passionate about Diversity & Inclusion topics; she led the Families at Microsoft group for over 3 years and remains an active board member of the group.

LINKS:

🔴 Watch the Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nTPbeu2IM78

Diana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-brandl/
Executive Office Insights Newsletter: https://the-socialista-projects.com/#newsletter
Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the-socialista-projects
Podcast auf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qBSDjTfYOG2x6qos7dKkS
Podcast on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-future-assistant/id1493106661

Playlist songs:
Andrea: Sugar by Robin Schulz
Svetlana: -

🎵 Listen to the Executive Office Insights Spotify-Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3QH8HL8oWIC0HzHWvb5KLd

184: Wie schafft man es, mit Ende 50 noch einmal beruflich neu durchzustarten? In dieser Folge erfährst du, wie Cornelia Bahr den Mut gefunden hat, einen kompletten Jobwechsel anzugehen – und welche Strategien, Netzwerke und Weiterbildungen ihr geholfen haben.

✨ Du bekommst praxisnahe Tipps für berufliche Veränderung im Alter, erfährst, wie man den eigenen Marktwert erkennt, neue Chancen nutzt und auch in einem völlig neuen Umfeld schnell ankommt.

Diese Episode ist vollgepackt mit Motivation, echten Karriere-Erfahrungen und klaren Schritten für alle, die sagen: „Es ist nie zu spät, neu anzufangen.“ 🚀

Über Cornelia Bahr:

Eine berufliche Reise voller Vielfalt und Engagement: Nach dem Verlust einer Arbeitsstelle begann für Cornelia Bahr ein neuer Abschnitt mit 14 Jahren als Assistentin der Geschäftsführung und Dolmetscherin in einer Handelsagentur für Obst und Gemüse, wo Sprachkenntnisse in Spanisch und später Italienisch eingesetzt wurden. Es folgten 1,5 Jahre als Vertriebsassistentin und anschließend 9 Jahre in der Unternehmensberatung als Teamassistentin. Fast 4 Jahre war Conny im Start-up-Bereich mit Fokus auf Medizin tätig, bevor der Weg zurück zur Unternehmensberatung unter neuer Leitung für weitere 3 Jahre führte. Seit Januar 2022 agiert Conny als Referentin der Geschäftsführung bei der DKSR GmbH (Daten-Kompetenzzentrum für Städte und Regionen).

Seit fast 35 Jahren ist Cornelia Bahr in einer glücklichen Ehe, bereichert durch einen Sohn, mittlerweile 32 Jahre alt.

Eine beeindruckende Lebensgeschichte voller Hingabe und Entwicklung.

LINKS:

🔴 Folge auf YouTube anschauen: https://youtu.be/qQ9lwBbcnzY

Cornelias LikedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/cornelia-bahr

Cornelias Playlist-Song: Hells Bells von AC/DC

🎵 Hier geht es zur Executive Office Insights Spotify-Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3QH8HL8oWIC0HzHWvb5KLd

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Diana auf LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-brandl/

Executive Office Insights Newsletter: https://the-socialista-projects.com/#newsletter

Podcast auf YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the-socialista-projects

Podcast auf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qBSDjTfYOG2x6qos7dKkS

Podcast auf Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-future-assistant/id1493106661

183/124: Samantha Cox's career journey is indeed impressive and diverse, showcasing her expertise in Executive Assistant, Hospitality, and VIP Guest Services roles. Her extensive experience, spanning over 20 years, has involved working with high-profile clients and in various locations around the world.

One notable highlight is her time working for Sir Richard Branson, the Founder of the Virgin Group. During her tenure, she not only served as an executive assistant but also became part of a select group managing personal affairs, budgets, charitable initiatives, and coordinating celebrity visits, while being based on Necker Island. Her involvement with Virgin Unite and The Elders demonstrates her commitment to philanthropy and global issues, supporting initiatives founded by Sir Richard Branson and Nelson Mandela.

Samantha's international exposure is evident through her travels to the Caribbean, Central America, the Far East, Australia, and Europe. Her role as the Corporate Director of VIP Guest Services for Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casinos in the USA further enriched her professional portfolio.

Returning to Australia, Samantha opened the award-winning hospitality venue, Shell House, in Sydney CBD. Additionally, she launched her consulting business, Samantha Cox International, at the end of 2023. Her mantra of saying “yes” reflects her energetic and driven nature, encouraging a positive mindset and a willingness to embrace new challenges.

With a background that spans continents and industries, Samantha Cox continues to be a dynamic and passionate professional in the fields of executive support, hospitality, and consulting. Her multifaceted career showcases a commitment to excellence and a willingness to explore diverse opportunities.

Links:

Connect with Sam

https://scinternational.com.au

www.linkedin.com/in/samanthalcox

http://facebook.com/SamanthaCoxInternational

Diana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-brandl/

Executive Office Insights Newsletter: https://the-socialista-projects.com/#newsletter

Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qBSDjTfYOG2x6qos7dKkS

Podcast on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-future-assistant/id1493106661