Ana is an experienced Executive Secretary and Founder of Elara VA Services. Her work with The Strategic PA Network enables her to support and mentor others in the business support community. ILSPA had the pleasure of talking to her about her role as a Committee Member, her advice to new professionals and her ILSPA studies.    

What were you doing before you joined ILSPA?

Before joining ILSPA, I was preparing to leave my corporate Executive Assistant role within a global organisation and launch my own Virtual Executive Support business, Elara VA Services. After more than 25 years supporting senior leaders, and C-suite executives, I felt ready to take that experience into a business of my own and provide high-level support to executives, entrepreneurs, and professional service clients.

What is it about being a Legal Secretary that interests you?

What interests me most is the precision, discretion and professionalism required within the legal sector. Legal professionals operate in a demanding environment where accuracy, confidentiality, organisation, and attention to detail are essential, and these are all areas I have developed throughout my career as an Executive Assistant.

Completing the Diploma has strengthened my understanding of the legal environment and has given me greater confidence in the way I support legal professionals and their work.

Why did you decide to do ILSPA's Legal Secretaries Diploma course?

I decided to complete ILSPA’s Legal Secretaries Diploma because I wanted to deepen my understanding of the legal system and strengthen the support I provide to my legal clients.

As my business grows, I would like to attract more legal professionals who require experienced, reliable, and high-level support. The Diploma felt like the right step to help me build credibility in this area, broaden my skill set and ensure I can provide support that is both practical and informed by a stronger understanding of legal processes and terminology.

How are you able to use the knowledge and skills you have gained in your role?

The knowledge I gained through the Diploma has already enhanced the way I support my legal professional clients. It has given me a clearer understanding of procedures, documentation, and the structure of different areas of law, which allows me to approach legal administrative work with more confidence.

It has also improved my ability to anticipate what may be needed, ask more informed questions and support legal professionals with greater accuracy and professionalism. For me, the Diploma has not only added to my technical knowledge, it has also strengthened the value I can bring as a Virtual Legal Support professional.

Please tell us about the Strategic PA Network and your role as a Committee Member.

The Strategic PA Network is a friendly and inclusive professional community for Chiefs of Staff, Personal Assistants, Executive Assistants, Virtual Assistants, Administrators and Office Managers. Established in 2015, it was founded by Sarah Howson and Marianne Whitlock, who identified a gap in bringing industry professionals together to connect, share best practice and learn from one another. It provides a safe and welcoming space for business support professionals to discuss ideas, build relationships, inspire one another, and continue developing in their careers. The Network also hosts events across London, the South East, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire, with a strong focus on learning and, professional development and connection.

The Network has been pivotal for me, particularly as I launched my business. It gave me access to a supportive professional community, introduced me to brilliant people in the industry and opened the door to new opportunities, including becoming a Committee Member, which I am enjoying immensely.

As a Committee Member, I see my role as being an ambassador, an advocate, and an active contributor to the community. The Committee helps welcome members at events, introduce people to one another and contribute to the warm and inclusive culture the Network is known for. Currently, I am also a mentor for the most recent cohort within the Strategic PA Network Mentorship Programme, where I am supporting a mentee looking to step into the EA world as they build confidence, clarity, and direction in their career. This has been incredibly rewarding and a real privilege. I would genuinely encourage anyone looking to begin or extend their networking journey to explore the Strategic PA Network. It is a wonderful community for business support professionals at all stages of their career.  For membership information, please visit: https://www.strategicpanetwork.com   

What advice would you give to business support professionals just starting their careers?

My advice would be to stay curious, keep learning, and never underestimate the value of the role you play. Business support professionals are often at the centre of communication, organisation, and decision-making, so the ability to be proactive, calm under pressure and commercially aware will always set you apart.

I would also encourage anyone starting out to build strong relationships, seek out mentors and invest in their own professional development early. The skills you build in this profession are incredibly transferable, and with the right mindset, they can open doors to many different career paths, whether that is as an EA, PA, Legal Secretary, Chief of Staff, VA, or business owner.

Most importantly, take pride in the profession. High-quality support has a genuine impact on the people and organisations we work with.

Elara Virtual Assistant Services provides high-level virtual executive and business support to senior leaders, entrepreneurs, and legal professionals. With a calm, proactive and detailed-led approach, clients are supported to protect their time, stay organised and focused on strategic priorities, while maintaining day-to-day operations that enable growth and success. To find out more, please visit: https://www.elaravaservices.co.uk/