Layna Castle, M.A., PMP

Experience

• 

  Capital One

  Nov 2008 - Jan 2016

  Executive Operational Planning Coordinator

  Trusted leader responsible for building a positive company culture in collaboration with the Head of HR and the NFL; advised on employee learning and development. Responsibility included overseeing a company-wide strategic initiative that support the growth and development of associate looking to create a career path within the company.- Defined, developed and managed strategic initiatives, driving consensus around key corporate goals- Collaborated with HR and Operations to improve current processes and coordinate organizational procedures for optimized efficiency and productivity- Lead internal employee and partner communications strategy to ensure strong employee and partner engagement and motivation Show less

• 

  JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  Nov 2016 - Dec 2020

  Executive Administrative Assistant

  Providing high-level administrative support to the Director of Commercial Banking. Tasks include, but not limited to: - Organizing and managing multiple calendars and/or itineraries (Outlook, Google, Microsoft etc)- Arranging and confirming all travel arrangements (SkyMiles, Rewards etc)- Collaborated with HR team to ensure new hires were fully supported and understood our company vision and mission and the value they add as a part of the bigger picture- Created agendas, recaps and action plans for weekly team meetings- Organizing town hall elements- Coordinating meetings and conference room scheduling- Providing logistical event support- Proactively assisting Project Managers in the preparation of Town Hall(s)- Follow-up on various project activities- Creating email templates for reoccurring events- Identifies and supports the team/business to develop scalable strategies- Tracking and monitoring meaningful reporting and recommendations Show less

• 

  Professional Speakers Concierge Service

  Nov 2018 - now

  Founder

  Our knowledge and unique vision of the event industry are highly sought after. We have a grasp on what the future of the domain will hold and how it might affect attendee experiences, tools, processes, and the event space as a whole. We are recognized as a world-class leaders in our field. We are continuing to develop new standards, practices, and innovating event experiences at the next level.- Corporate event management working with catering services, menu planning and client consultation- Designing, building, and improving processes and systems that contribute to our Client Experience strategy and operational excellence- Negotiating, organizing, and implementing special requests by Clients or Buyers, including book signings, conference calls, riders, etc. - Providing direction and strategy to event producers and volunteer committee leaders- Independently and proactively making decisions under high pressure circumstances in a cross-functional team environmentEVENT DESIGN & PRODUCTION - Reviewing event details to reduce the gaps and problems EVENT MANAGEMENT- Technical troubleshooting- Problem solving in a fast pace online environment- Facilitating breakouts/workshop sessionsEVENT EXPERIENCE & ENGAGEMENT- Anticipating the needs of the audience (on behalf of the client)- Working collaboratively with all team, guests and audience- Tracking/Monitoring the engagement of hot leads HOST SPEAKER SUPPORT- Providing a layer of proactive support for all technical troubleshooting (problem solving during event)- Reducing the number executive decisions made by the host speaker- Streamlining all communication for less stressNEXT STEPS FACILITATION (SALES)- Assisting with next steps (links, questions about payment arrangements, provide clarity)- Pitch and play functionality (speaker can be detached from the revenue goal and present during event)GUEST SPEAKER SUPPORT SERVICESPRE-EVENT STRATEGY SESSIONS (your team included) Show less

• 

  USAA

  Feb 2021 - now

  Executive Administrative Assistant

  Working in close partnership with the AVPs, Chief Strategy Officer and EC to bring our company vision to life, including alignment of investments against our strategic imperatives. Providing professional administrative support to 4 executives who support The Transformation Office [leadership who sit within the CFO]. - Reviewing correspondence, identifying issues requiring escalation, resolution, or delegation, and use discretion to direct items to the appropriate staff for action- Managing complex calendars/schedules, major initiatives along with timelines/deadlines- Daily prioritizing and maintaining continuous alignment with stakeholders - Anticipating, understanding, and supporting the leaders’ role, intentions, and objectives as well as personal and organizational goals- Reviewing key metrics and data for leadership team to provide details in presentation format easily digestible for executives- Effectively coordinate sophisticated domestic and international travel arrangements and logistics- Identifying and supporting the priorities that support the mission and vision of our members - Creating innovative ways to remind/update leaders promptly- Strategically cultivating relationships with various levels of leadership to understand the overall need(s)- Tracking and monitoring meaningful reporting and recommendations- Managing complex calendars/schedules, major initiatives along with timelines/deadlines- Creating timeline reminders for deadlines for major deliverables- Creating engaging email templates for reoccurring events- Daily prioritizing and maintaining continuous alignment with stakeholders - Anticipating, understanding, and supporting the leaders’ role, intentions, and objectives as well as personal and organizational goals- Preparing, reviewing, and processing expense reports in line with company policy- Reviewing key metrics and data for leadership team to provide details in presentation format easily digestible for executives Show less