SHARON ANN DANIELS
Johannesburg
Summary
Versatile C-Suite Executive Assistant with a wealth of experience providing high-level support on a global scale, across diverse industries and different time zones. Skilled in diplomatic communication and upholding protocols, I offer strong analytical abilities, meticulous attention to detail, and a deep understanding of cultural nuances in every position I take on. I am eager to apply my event management and strategic support expertise to a vibrant team.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Virtual Assistant
VA Extraordinaire
Johannesburg
01.2023 - Current
- Virtually supporting Business Owners/Consultants with various aspects of business operations on an ad-hoc basis: calendar management, meeting & travel management, marketing & events, compilation and distribution of reports, maintenance of social media pages, expense claim processing.
Interim Executive Assistant to the Acting Chief of Operations (COO)
Mastercard Foundation
Johannesburg
06.2022 - 09.2022
- Company Overview: Mastercard Foundation is a global NPO based in Toronto, Canada with several offices in Africa. The programs promote financial inclusion and advance education and learning for young people in Africa, and Indigenous youth in Canada.
- Remotely managed complex international travel arrangements and meetings/retreats/conferences across multiple time zones.
- Served as gatekeeper and facilitator for the COO's office.
- Maintained an efficient and easily accessible electronic filing system.
- Collaborated with the Foundation’s global Admin staff and international contractors/consultants.
- Provided support to the Finance and Operations leadership teams in Africa and Canada.
- Managed stakeholder relations and media access for the COO professionally and diplomatically.
- Efficiently managed calendar activities with the CEO’s office, EXCO, and the COO’s direct reports.
- Reason for leaving: Fixed-term Temporary Contract.
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Kraum & Spruk Middle East WLL
Manama
02.2020 - 05.2020
- Company Overview: Kraum & Spruk Middle East WLL is a Bahrain based company established in 2005 focusing on Electrical Power Systems, Industrial Automation and Instrumentation
- Managed CEO’s communication, diary, travel, events, and budget
- Prepared and coordinated high-level meetings and agendas
- Delegated and monitored tasks to senior management and off-site staff
- Reason for leaving: Repatriated to South Africa due to the economic fall-out of the Covid-19 pandemic
Executive Personal Assistant to the Group Executive: Transacting
Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)
Johannesburg
06.2016 - 08.2018
- Company Overview: The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), a State-owned Enterprise, is a development finance institution that promotes economic development and growth, and promote regional integration through infrastructure finance and development.
- Managed travel and expenses for Group Executive (GE).
- Managed office move and layout during restructuring.
- Kept abreast of the bank’s business conducted by the GE sufficiently to enter into pro-active correspondence with stakeholders.
- Reason for leaving: Needed a more collaborative and supportive work environment.
Personal Assistant to the Group Executive: Finance & Business Development
The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa)
Hartbeespoortdam
01.2016 - 05.2016
- Company Overview: The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), is a State-owned Enterprise responsible for undertaking and promoting research and development in the field of nuclear energy and radiation sciences
- Managed office administration and correspondence for GE; managed supplies, inventory, and EXCO meetings; communicated with CEO’s office; organised departmental events
- The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), is a State-owned Enterprise responsible for undertaking and promoting research and development in the field of nuclear energy and radiation sciences
- Reason for leaving: Headhunted
Executive PA to the Ombudsman of the City of Joburg
Office of the Ombudsman for the City of Joburg
Johannesburg
07.2015 - 09.2015
- Company Overview: The establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman for the City of Joburg was in line with the Joburg 2040 Growth and Development Strategy, which calls for city employees and leadership to embrace good governance practices
- Provided secretarial and administrative support to the Ombudsman; prepared correspondence, procured equipment, and processed claims; managed opening event of the Ombudsman’s office and liaised with the Mayor’s office and other government offices
- Attended Mayoral Committee Meetings
- The establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman for the City of Joburg was in line with the Joburg 2040 Growth and Development Strategy, which calls for city employees and leadership to embrace good governance practices
- Reason for leaving: Fixed-term contract
Personal Assistant to the General Manager: Customer Experience
MultiChoice Africa
Johannesburg
02.2015 - 06.2015
- Company Overview: MultiChoice Africa provides multi-channel pay-TV and subscriber management services in 49 countries across Sub-Sahara Africa and the adjacent Indian Ocean islands
- Delivered exceptional service to customers; prepared presentations/documents/spreadsheets
- Coordinated conferences and strategy sessions; booked meeting venues; coordinated video conferences
- MultiChoice Africa provides multi-channel pay-TV and subscriber management services in 49 countries across Sub-Sahara Africa and the adjacent Indian Ocean islands
- Reason for leaving: Temporary position
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Airports Company South Africa SOC Ltd (ACSA)
Johannesburg
09.2014 - 11.2014
- Company Overview: Airports Company South Africa SOC Ltd (ACSA), a State-owned Company, manages a network of nine airports in South Africa
- Managed diary; coordinated CEO's corporate events; managed domestic and international travel arrangements; created accessible filing system; delegated tasks to Airport General Managers on behalf of CEO; collated board/EXCO meeting packs
- PR activities - managed client complaints/inquiries; ensured that ACSA's corporate image is maintained, and that all responses to complaints/queries were actioned within 48 hours
- Airports Company South Africa SOC Ltd (ACSA), a State-owned Company, manages a network of nine airports in South Africa
- Reason for leaving: Temporary contract
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Brand South Africa
Johannesburg
08.2013 - 08.2014
- Company Overview: Brand South Africa was established by the government of South Africa in 2002 to create a positive and compelling brand image for the country
- Provided high level executive support to the CEO; daily engagement with the Minister in the President of the Republic of South Africa’s office; supported the Board and Brand Ambassadors; complex travel arrangements for the CEO, Board, and Brand Ambassadors; correspondence generation on behalf of the CEO; expense reports, EXCO minutes, and speaker notes management; proofread Annual Report and all documents distributed to the Presidency; worked closely with the Chief of Staff to manage the office of the CEO
- Brand South Africa was established by the government of South Africa in 2002 to create a positive and compelling brand image for the country
- Reason for leaving: Fixed-term contract
Board Secretary
Central Energy Fund (CEF) (SOC) Ltd.
Johannesburg
02.2012 - 08.2012
- Company Overview: Central Energy Fund (CEF) (SOC) Ltd
- Searches for appropriate energy solutions to meet the future energy needs of South Africa, the Southern African Development Community and the sub-Saharan African region
- Provided secretariat support to the CEF Group and its subsidiaries; recorded board and board sub-committee meeting minutes; liaised with the office of the Minister of Mineral and Resources and Energy
- Central Energy Fund (CEF) (SOC) Ltd
- Searches for appropriate energy solutions to meet the future energy needs of South Africa, the Southern African Development Community and the sub-Saharan African region
- Reason for leaving: Maternity replacement
Personal Assistant to the Senior General Manager
Barloworld Power
Boksburg
08.2008 - 08.2011
- Company Overview: Barloworld Power, a division of Barloworld South Africa (Pty) Ltd, supplies diesel and gas generators, industrial, marine and diesel engines
- Barloworld Power is the sole Caterpillar dealer in Southern Africa
- Personal Assistant: Provided secretarial support to the Senior GM
- Marketing Coordinator: Performed all marketing tasks when Marketing Manager resigned: facilitated Key Account interventions; managed media adverts, brochures and publications, all exhibitions (NAMPO, Power & Electricity World Africa, Africa Rail, Electra Mining), corporate Golf Day events; managed and maintained website; ensured compliance with Barloworld Power and Caterpillar CI requirements for all branding and media communication
- Barloworld Power, a division of Barloworld South Africa (Pty) Ltd, supplies diesel and gas generators, industrial, marine and diesel engines
- Barloworld Power is the sole Caterpillar dealer in Southern Africa
- Reason for Leaving: Resigned - Travelled to the United States for an indefinite period
Administration Manager
Ajmera Mayfair Global WLL
Manama
07.2007 - 07.2008
- Company Overview: Ajmera Mayfair Global WLL is a joint venture between Ajmera Group and Mayfair Housing, two of the top five real estate developers in Mumbai
- The company was developing a 55-storey signature tower at Bahrain Bay, an island waterfront development
- Coordinated the establishment of the Bahrain office, converted a 3-bed apartment into a fully functional office, overseeing the fit out, IT systems, equipment procurement, contractor payments, and brand development; managed legal matters with government ministries, facilitated fund syndication with wholesale banks, reported daily to head office in Mumbai; recruited and managed office staff, attended meetings in Bahrain with stakeholders and suppliers on behalf of the Executive team who were based in India and provided them with detailed reports, managed company apartment, managed contractor payments
- Ajmera Mayfair Global WLL is a joint venture between Ajmera Group and Mayfair Housing, two of the top five real estate developers in Mumbai
- The company was developing a 55-storey signature tower at Bahrain Bay, an island waterfront development
- Reason for leaving: Contract expired
- Relocated to South Africa
Executive Assistant to the Executive Director
Almoayyed Contracting Group
Manama
06.2006 - 06.2007
- Company Overview: Almoayyed Contracting Group provides services in Civil Construction & Electro-Mechanical Contracting
- Supported the Executive Director and CEO with administrative and project management tasks
- Facilities Management: Established and managed a Call Centre for the maintenance of 24 compounds (380 villas in total)
- Managed the Executive Director’s communication and marketing portfolio, including correspondence, document design, advertising, articles, press releases, and web updates; established a Customer Call Centre for the Air Conditioning division
- Almoayyed Contracting Group provides services in Civil Construction & Electro-Mechanical Contracting
- Reason for leaving: Headhunted
Personal Assistant to the Executive Director: Finance
Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA)
Johannesburg
09.2001 - 12.2005
- Company Overview: The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) was established by the City of Johannesburg in 2001 as an economic development agency, mandated by the Mayor to revitalise and regenerate the inner City of Johannesburg
- Managed diary; coordinated meeting logistics; recorded board meeting minutes; prepared contract documents for signature by consultants/professional teams; proofread Annual Report before going to print
- Development Coordinator for the Greater Ellis Park Development: Supported the Development Manager with all project management functions and prepared the stadium for the FIFA World Cup 2010 games
- Participated in meetings with Ellis Park management; recorded project meeting minutes
- The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) was established by the City of Johannesburg in 2001 as an economic development agency, mandated by the Mayor to revitalise and regenerate the inner City of Johannesburg
- Reason for leaving: Contract expired
Program Coordinator
Canada-South Africa Education Management Programme (CSAEMP)
Johannesburg
07.2000 - 07.2001
- Company Overview: Canada-South Africa Education Management Programme (CSAEMP) was a 5 year $6.9 million partnership (NGO) between the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Government of South Africa's National Department of Education and McGill University's Faculty of Education's Research on Educational Policy office
- The objective of the project was to facilitate the transition to a democratised South African education system
- Independently managed the CSAEMP South African office by coordinating 3 national projects; saved the organisation costs by introducing video conferencing for Management Committee and Board meetings; coordinated national workshops for SA Education Department Heads; consolidated monthly financial report; managed international travel arrangements for 22-member delegations to SA and Canada
- Canada-South Africa Education Management Programme (CSAEMP) was a 5 year $6.9 million partnership (NGO) between the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Government of South Africa's National Department of Education and McGill University's Faculty of Education's Research on Educational Policy office
- The objective of the project was to facilitate the transition to a democratised South African education system
- Reason for leaving: Programme term completed
Office Manager
International Foundation for Education and Self-Help (IFESH)
Johannesburg
06.1999 - 06.2000
- Company Overview: The International Foundation for Education and Self-Help (IFESH), South African office directed 2 programmes: The Financial Services Training (FST) programme provided training for previously disadvantaged banking staff, and the Educators for Africa (EFA) programme placed American educators into previously disadvantaged tertiary institutions in South Africa
- The NGO’s Head Office is based in Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Rendered secretarial and administrative support to the Chief of Party (COP)
- Recorded board meeting minutes via video conference; procured office supplies and equipment; coordinated tours for overseas visitors; chartered airplane for President's visits to SA; liaised with SA Dept
- Of Home Affairs and SA Embassy in Washington DC regarding acquisition of work permits and relevant travel documents for Educators for Africa (EFA's)
- Liaised with the Graduate Institute of Management and Training (GIMT) regarding training material/schedules; managed all logistics for FST launches and graduation ceremonies
- The International Foundation for Education and Self-Help (IFESH), South African office directed 2 programmes: The Financial Services Training (FST) programme provided training for previously disadvantaged banking staff, and the Educators for Africa (EFA) programme placed American educators into previously disadvantaged tertiary institutions in South Africa
- The NGO’s Head Office is based in Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Reason for leaving: Headhunted
Education
Bookkeeping Diploma -
Varsity College
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa01-2003
Secretarial Certificate -
Drake College
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa01-1984
High School Certificate -
St. Barnabas College
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa11-1983
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of South Africa [UNISA] - Incomplete
Pretoria, South AfricaSkills
- Networking and Relationship Management
- Organisational
- Delegation
- Project Management
- Resource Management
- Workflow Management
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Emotional Maturity
- Independence
- Dependability
- Reliability
- Government Protocol
- Confidentiality
- Trustworthy
- Ethical
- Loyalty
- Problem-solving and Analytical
- Innovative
- Detail-oriented
- Proactive
- Meticulous
- Results-driven
- Tech-savvy
- Research
- Resiliency
- Time Management
- Prioritisation
- Empathetic
- Microsoft 365 E5 Enterprise
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Google Workspace
- Google Drive
- SharePoint
- Microsoft 365
- Dropbox
- Great Plains Financial Accounting
- Microsoft Navision
- Pastel
- Oracle
- SAP
- Development Management Information System (DMIS)
- Airtable
- Zoom
- Skype
- Google Meet
- Microsoft Teams
- Microsoft Copilot
- Notion AI
- ChatGPT
Languages
- English, Native/Bilingual
- Afrikaans, Native/Bilingual
Personal Information
- Nationality: South African
- Driving License: Code EB
Languages
English
First Language
Afrikaans
Proficient
C2
Spanish
Beginner
A1
Courses/Seminars
- Datavia Training Centre, Transnet, Johannesburg: MS Windows for Workgroups, Quality Education Systems (QES) Zulu (Beginners), Transitional Leadership
- Essellen Park Centre of Excellence, Johannesburg: Professionalism in Action
- AIC Training, Johannesburg: Advanced Skills for Executive Secretaries, Management Skills for Executive Secretaries
- Sep Serfontein Genote, Johannesburg: Positive Power and Influencing Skills
- Fred Pryor Seminars, Johannesburg: The Exceptional Assistant
- Stratagem Business Training Specialists, Johannesburg: Operational Finance; Budget Management
- New Horizons Computer Learning Centre, Johannesburg: Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Windows
Timeline
Virtual Assistant
VA Extraordinaire
01.2023 - Current
Interim Executive Assistant to the Acting Chief of Operations (COO)
Mastercard Foundation
06.2022 - 09.2022
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Kraum & Spruk Middle East WLL
02.2020 - 05.2020
Executive Personal Assistant to the Group Executive: Transacting
Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)
06.2016 - 08.2018
Personal Assistant to the Group Executive: Finance & Business Development
The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa)
01.2016 - 05.2016
Executive PA to the Ombudsman of the City of Joburg
Office of the Ombudsman for the City of Joburg
07.2015 - 09.2015
Personal Assistant to the General Manager: Customer Experience
MultiChoice Africa
02.2015 - 06.2015
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Airports Company South Africa SOC Ltd (ACSA)
09.2014 - 11.2014
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Brand South Africa
08.2013 - 08.2014
Board Secretary
Central Energy Fund (CEF) (SOC) Ltd.
02.2012 - 08.2012
Personal Assistant to the Senior General Manager
Barloworld Power
08.2008 - 08.2011
Administration Manager
Ajmera Mayfair Global WLL
07.2007 - 07.2008
Executive Assistant to the Executive Director
Almoayyed Contracting Group
06.2006 - 06.2007
Personal Assistant to the Executive Director: Finance
Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA)
09.2001 - 12.2005
Program Coordinator
Canada-South Africa Education Management Programme (CSAEMP)
07.2000 - 07.2001
Office Manager
International Foundation for Education and Self-Help (IFESH)
06.1999 - 06.2000
Bookkeeping Diploma -
Varsity College
Secretarial Certificate -
Drake College
High School Certificate -
St. Barnabas College
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of South Africa [UNISA] - Incomplete
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