Mana Friedman
SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Hi! I'm Mana. I am a seasoned Executive Assistant with 14 years of experience skillfully and thoughtfully providing exceptional executive support across different industries, with an emphasis on supporting Chief Officers. I have earned repeated accolades for my partnership, as well as my agility. My attention to detail is only matched by my obsession with organization. This has made me a guru of managing complex domestic and international travel, and ever-changing calendars with ease and efficiency. I acted as Chief of Staff, writing communications and preparing presentations on behalf of my executive. In addition, I served as Lead EA for a 30-person Executive Assistant team, owning monthly meetings focused on development and information sharing. I can provide fantastic and compelling references upon request.
Executive Assistant - My Philosophy
People Management vs. Project Management
ACCOLADES
KURT LANDON
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
ENSPIRA
Kurt was a direct manager as CHRO Pinterest Inc.
I had the honor of working with Mana when I was leading the People function at Pinterest and she was my Executive Assistant Business Partner (EABP).
Mana is an extraordinarily talented professional, an expert EABP, and an amazing human being. Mana has many towering strengths including her intellectual horsepower, work ethic, values, organizational skills, and follow-through/reliability. There are a few things about Mana that make her truly exceptional:
She epitomizes what an administrative business partner is all about.
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She gets the basics done flawlessly and consistently in the most efficient way possible so that she can then focus her energy on being an extension of her executive--expanding their reach and impact.
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She works hard to understand context and the bigger picture so she can proactively identify ways to add and create value.
She cares--a lot.
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Her ability to put herself in her executive's shoes and really understand what their daily experience is going to be like is uniquely positive.
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She finds a variety of creative and resourceful ways to make each situation the leader is in a little bit easier, more "human", less lonely; a thoughtful handwritten note, a reminder about a personal milestone, a special snack upon hotel check-in, she's the ultimate caretaker and nurturer.
She's always one step ahead.
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She proactively anticipates what is needed next and after that.
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She's never in reactive mode, leveraging her superb planning and problem-solving skills.
Mana's unique and exceptional combination of work ethic, intelligence, strategic mindset, and a huge heart make her the ultimate administrative business partner.
Any leader who has the opportunity to have Mana as their EABP is in for a treat--she is truly outstanding.
SATISH MALHOTRA
Chief Executive Officer
THE CONTAINER STORE
Satish was a direct manager as EVP & COO Sephora Americas (2012 - 2017)
Mana is by far the best Executive Assistant I have ever had in my professional career!
She immerses herself completely in the role and has an uncanny ability of always being one step ahead. Her proactive management of my calendar ensures that I am always on-time to meetings and have the appropriate material at my disposal for that meeting.
Her organizational and planning skills are also exemplary, which allows her to take on even more projects. She excels at pretty much everything she does and requires minimal direction. Her presentation skills are always of professional grade.
Mana always maintains a positive and professional attitude. She never gets flustered and can always be counted on. She handles emergencies and last minute request with poise and control.
I was extremely fortunate to have Mana work for me during her time at Sephora.
OSH O'CROWLEY
Executive Vice President & Chief Experience Officer
AAA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEVADA & UTAH
Osh was a direct manager as SVP & CIO, Sephora America (2011 - 2012)
If you are looking for much more than an assistant then Mana is the right person. She is the best of the best and will have you operating at a much higher level of efficiency very quickly.
Her proactive and collaborative nature allows her to build great relationships across all levels of business. She is also a very capable project manager. In summary, Mana will excel in any role.
MY EXPERIENCE
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Executive Assistant with 14 years of experience providing thorough and skillful support to senior-level executives.
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Proven record of discretion, self-motivation, initiative, savvy and dependability.
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Experienced team worker; able to work cooperatively within a team or independently.
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Enthusiastic goal-oriented individual with exceptional abilities to conduct and complete multiple initiatives simultaneously.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills.
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Strategic planner with ability to anticipate needs, create communication strategies and stay ahead of the business.
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Highly organized and able to plan and execute events involving intricate details and complex set-up.
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Easily establish rapport, and create strong partnerships with leadership, investors, the Board and shareholders.
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Motivational leader with experience managing cross-functional teams and managing Executive Assistant teams.
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
August 2019 - October 2020
LEVI STRAUSS & CO.
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Managed and maintained a busy calendar with agility and flexibility staying steps ahead of the executive.
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Navigated complex domestic and international travel arrangements, both commercial and private, including maintaining passports, obtaining visas, coordinating hotel, car service, and all aspects of the itinerary; including daily agendas, reporting and briefings.
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Attended key meetings, prepared agendas, took notes and tracked action items for the Chief Financial Officer and his team.
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Developed a strong rapport with leadership, direct reports of the Chief Financial Officer and other Executive Assistants within the organization.
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Liaison to the Board, Family Office and Investors maintaining relationships with professionalism and courtesy.
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Managed personal obligations and requests, including external Boards the Chief Financial Officer sat on, private business ventures, real estate, etc.
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Handled confidential matters with the utmost discretion and professionalism.
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Processed expense reporting, budget management, purchase order processing, correspondence and other duties.
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER
April 2018 - August 2019
PINTEREST INC.
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Managed all aspects of the Chief Human Resources Officer’s busy calendar, anticipating needs and providing solutions.
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Designed and drafted correspondence for Chief Human Resources Officer, including internal communications, presentations and speaking engagements.
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Built meeting agendas, took notes and tracked action items, keeping the People Team leadership team on track for deliverables.
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Partnered with high-level executives both inside and outside of the company to build solid business relationships.
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Managed all aspects of large scale offsites and all hands meetings, identifying locations, and managing contracts, food and beverage, budgets and entertainment.
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Manager of Administrative Assistant providing weekly 1:1 meetings, career development and coaching.
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Mentor to a junior employee in another org as part of Pinterest Mentor/Mentee program.
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Project Lead for several highly-visible initiatives in the Centralized Admin Org. Required multiple points of contacts and managing teams to meet desired outcomes and budget.
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Liaison to HRBP team assisting with employee comms and organization design.
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
June 2017 – October 2017
DIVCOWEST REAL ESTATE SERVICES
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Managed complex ever-changing calendar with grace and agility, anticipating needs, and rearranging schedule as needed with a focus on client and business priorities.
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Coordinated complex domestic and international travel arrangements for executive, his family, and business partners, both commercial and private, including coordinating hotel, car service, and all aspects of the itinerary.
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Served as the direct point of contact with high-level executives both internally and externally.
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Maintained a superior level of discretion and professionalism while partnering with executives on highly confidential matters.
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Heavy PA work.
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
June 2011 – June 2017
SEPHORA USA, INC.
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Proactively and seamlessly managed a complex calendar with shifting priorities and needs.
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Handled complex travel arrangements, both domestic and international, including maintaining passports, obtaining visas, coordinating hotel, car service, etc.
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Managed and created correspondence for executives including internal communications, presentation and speaking engagements.
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Acted as liaison with high-level executives both inside and outside of the company to build solid business relationships.
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Handled sensitive, urgent matters with professionalism and confidentiality.
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Handled expense reporting, budget management, purchase order processing, and other duties.
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Acted as lead Executive Assistant owning development, planning and training for a 30-person Executive Assistant team through leading monthly meetings and individual career coaching.
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT / OFFICE MANAGER
October 2006 – September 2009
HITACHI CONSULTING
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Supported team of 5 Vice Presidents, Operations Director and 65 Consultants.
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Created, managed and updated reports, and provided analysis to leadership and central office.
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Created communications strategy for office, and managed local market web page and weekly newsletter.
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Managed conference logistics for field leadership meetings and internal training. Identified locations, and managed contracts, food and beverage, budgets and entertainment.
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Built relationships with vendors and clients, and acted as a go-to person for the office.
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Managed all aspects of the office: ordering supplies, maintenance, budget and expenses, etc.