
An exclusive, members-only summit where the most ambitious EAs come to level up.
What is the RISE Summit?
Three days of curated content, intentional networking, and tactical skill-building designed for EAs supporting the most powerful leaders in tech and VC.
Our programming reflects the cutting edge of where the role is going — from navigating AI adoption to scaling at fast-growth companies. Every session is developed with purpose so attendees return to work ready to implement immediately and impact the organization..
The RISE Summit accelerates the shift from high-performing EA to indispensable strategic partner.
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2026 RISE Summit
New Orleans, LA | October 26–30, 2026
This year, we’re bringing our annual Summit to the vibrant city of New Orleans—hosted at The Barnett, a beautifully restored boutique hotel just steps from the French Quarter.

What to Expect
- Curated programming focused on leadership, operations, and emerging trends (including AI)
- Intimate, high-quality networking with peers at the top of their field
- Thoughtfully designed social experiences that reflect the energy of New Orleans
- A mix of structured sessions and organic connection points throughout the week
Schedule Overview
- Monday, October 26 – Arrival Day
- Tuesday, October 27 – All-Day Summit Programming + Welcome Reception
- Wednesday, October 28 – All-Day Summit Programming + Evening Dinner Party
- Thursday, October 29 – Final Sessions + Closing Celebration
- Friday, October 30 – Departures and Farewells
Speaker lineup and session details will be announced soon.
Past Summit Timeline
Our annual summit has been bringing together the most driven EAs in tech and VC since 2023. Each year, our community gathers in a new city to push the role forward together.
Palm Springs, CA
2025

Austin, TX
2024

San Francisco, CA
2023

Past
Featured
Content
The AI Leverage Ladder: Climb from Tasks to Strategy
Cortney Hickey is the Executive Business Partner to the CEO at Zapier, a company where 97% of employees use AI every single day. In this session, she showed her fellow members what's possible with no-code automation. From auto-categorizing her CEO's inbox to building a Slack automation that rewrites saved messages into clear action items, Cortney demonstrated that with AI as your multiplier, the EA role doesn't shrink—it scales.

Cortney Hickey
Executive Business Partner to the CEO at Zapier
Executive Presence in Action
As Simon Sinek's Executive Assistant, Monique Helstrom learned that no amount of skill or dedication can outrun poor communication. Now an administrative coach and keynote speaker, Monique teaches this nonnegotiable truth to EAs everywhere. From active listening to strategies for navigating hard conversations, Monique broke down the practical tools that build trust, credibility, and effectiveness in the role. She emphasized to our members that every interaction is either strengthening the EA-executive partnership or weakening it.

Monique Helstrom
Former Executive Assistant to Simon Sinek, Administrative Coach, Keynote Speaker
Fireside Chat with Sona Movsesian
Sona Movsesian is the former Executive Assistant to Conan O'Brien, a NYT bestselling author, and the co-host of the hit podcast Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend. With the kind of perspective that only comes from a career like hers, Sona unpacked what it really means to build trust with an executive, grow alongside them, and evolve the role into something far beyond what the title suggests. Equal parts hilarious and genuinely wise, this was a session nobody wanted to end.

Sona Movsesian
Former Executive Assistant to Conan O'Brien, NYT Bestselling Author, Podcaster
Leading as an EA
Chynna Clayton has operated at the highest levels of leadership on a global stage, and in this session, she brought every lesson learned to the room. From managing crises with composure to building the ability to move people and shape outcomes without formal authority, Chynna broke down the soft skills that separate a great EA from a truly indispensable one. This was a masterclass in what it means to lead without the title.

Chynna Clayton
Former Special Assistant to First Lady Michelle Obama
Fundamentals of Candor Leadership
Radical Candor is one of the most recognized leadership frameworks in the world, and in this session, CRO Dan Greene broke it down for our members. The core principle is simple but transformative: Care Personally while Challenging Directly. Dan broke down how EAs can use this approach to give and receive feedback with confidence, build stronger relationships, and help shift their organizations from a command-and-control culture to one of genuine collaboration.

Dan Greene,
Chief Revenue Officer at Radical Candor
What Attendees Are Saying
"I have said to my own teammates, you need to come to this next year. Like I've been the only one for my company, and now a bunch of us are here. It is invaluable. The learning and development, the community meeting people in person, and sort of being in a room with people who just get it, who understand the challenges you're going through, who can celebrate the wins for you. And being on Slack and on Zoom is one thing. But then getting to be in person once a year, it's really like the cherry on top."
Melissa Freeman
Executive Business Partner at Dropbox
“The biggest takeaway for me has been the quality of the sessions. I feel like I am leaving the Summit with really actionable insights that I can put to work in my day-to-day immediately and immediately see that impact. That's something you can't say about a lot of conferences."
Kevin Jackson
Senior Executive Assistant to CEO at Calendly
“An inspiring, informative event—brilliantly curated with thought-provoking speakers! It was so lovely to see new faces, and I came away with my cup filled and energized as we embrace AI today, tomorrow, and into the future.”
Hayley Baines
Manager of the CEO Office at Xero
“The summit was truly a thoughtful and fulfilling experience. Every detail showed how deeply eaRISE understands the unique challenges we face as Executive Assistants. Beyond the practical skills I gained, what stood out was the sense of community. I left feeling not only more equipped in my role, but also more inspired and connected.”
Anna Kelley
Senior Executive Assistant at Noble Capital
“I had an absolute blast and truly valued attending my first RISE summit. It was fantastic meeting so many talented people, gaining practical knowledge on integrating AI into our work, and hearing the insights from the great fireside chat. I'm taking a ton of knowledge and motivation home with me and am excited to put it into action!”
Caroline Hung
Executive Assistant to Co-CEOs at SpotOn
“I have never walked away from an event more inspired! I didn't think I could be this excited about AI until this summit. The only reason my CEO agreed to send me to this was to try to get me excited about AI, and I cannot wait to tell him how successful that was.”
Kat Perunova
Principal EA of the CEO Office at Wrapbook
“As a first-time attendee, I only wish I had found eaRISE years ago and could’ve been part of previous summits. I feel that the connections made and friendships forged will last well beyond our professional lives, and become lifetime connections.”
Sarah Huebinger
Executive Assistant at Superhuman
“So inspired, lit up, empowered, and deeply connected after all of the speakers, the content, and the beautiful connections at this summit. Every single moment carried so much intention, thoughtfulness, and wisdom. I feel like I’m walking away with new tools, insights, and energy to bring back to my team.”
Abby Steele
Executive Assistant at Congruent Ventures
“To be able to walk into a summit and fully exhale — to show up as me, to soften, to receive, to take it all in while feeling completely held — that is such a rare and powerful gift. I feel seen. I feel safe. I feel inspired. I feel so, so grateful.”
Misty Xicum Ku
Executive Business Partner at Dropbox
“Best event ever. What an incredible buzz. There's nothing else like this extended EA 'team'. My heart is so full of love for this community! So much to play around with in AI, learn & implement. So much good advice to reflect on. So many new people to meet up with.”
Shelley Trask
EA Team Manager at Ramp
"I have said to my own teammates, you need to come to this next year. Like I've been the only one for my company, and now a bunch of us are here. It is invaluable. The learning and development, the community meeting people in person, and sort of being in a room with people who just get it, who understand the challenges you're going through, who can celebrate the wins for you. And being on Slack and on Zoom is one thing. But then getting to be in person once a year, it's really like the cherry on top."
Melissa Freeman
Executive Business Partner at Dropbox
“The biggest takeaway for me has been the quality of the sessions. I feel like I am leaving the Summit with really actionable insights that I can put to work in my day-to-day immediately and immediately see that impact. That's something you can't say about a lot of conferences."
Kevin Jackson
Senior Executive Assistant to CEO at Calendly
“An inspiring, informative event—brilliantly curated with thought-provoking speakers! It was so lovely to see new faces, and I came away with my cup filled and energized as we embrace AI today, tomorrow, and into the future.”
Hayley Baines
Manager of the CEO Office at Xero
“The summit was truly a thoughtful and fulfilling experience. Every detail showed how deeply eaRISE understands the unique challenges we face as Executive Assistants. Beyond the practical skills I gained, what stood out was the sense of community. I left feeling not only more equipped in my role, but also more inspired and connected.”
Anna Kelley
Senior Executive Assistant at Noble Capital
“I had an absolute blast and truly valued attending my first RISE summit. It was fantastic meeting so many talented people, gaining practical knowledge on integrating AI into our work, and hearing the insights from the great fireside chat. I'm taking a ton of knowledge and motivation home with me and am excited to put it into action!”
Caroline Hung
Executive Assistant to Co-CEOs at SpotOn
“I have never walked away from an event more inspired! I didn't think I could be this excited about AI until this summit. The only reason my CEO agreed to send me to this was to try to get me excited about AI, and I cannot wait to tell him how successful that was.”
Kat Perunova
Principal EA of the CEO Office at Wrapbook
“As a first-time attendee, I only wish I had found eaRISE years ago and could’ve been part of previous summits. I feel that the connections made and friendships forged will last well beyond our professional lives, and become lifetime connections.”
Sarah Huebinger
Executive Assistant at Superhuman
“So inspired, lit up, empowered, and deeply connected after all of the speakers, the content, and the beautiful connections at this summit. Every single moment carried so much intention, thoughtfulness, and wisdom. I feel like I’m walking away with new tools, insights, and energy to bring back to my team.”
Abby Steele
Executive Assistant at Congruent Ventures
“To be able to walk into a summit and fully exhale — to show up as me, to soften, to receive, to take it all in while feeling completely held — that is such a rare and powerful gift. I feel seen. I feel safe. I feel inspired. I feel so, so grateful.”
Misty Xicum Ku
Executive Business Partner at Dropbox
“Best event ever. What an incredible buzz. There's nothing else like this extended EA 'team'. My heart is so full of love for this community! So much to play around with in AI, learn & implement. So much good advice to reflect on. So many new people to meet up with.”
Shelley Trask
EA Team Manager at Ramp
























