34
pa of the year award
PA OF THE YEAR ® 2020
J
ulie Ivason, PA to Tim White, CEO and Matthew Renshaw, COO of leading Pan-African construction solutions company Profica was awarded the prestigious title of South Africa’s PA of the Year 2020 on Secretaries Day, Wednesday 2nd September. She received the accolade at a hybrid event organized by the Professional Association for Secretaries (PAFSA) at The Focus Rooms new venue in Modderfontein. On receiving the title, Ivason said: “I am humbled and grateful to receive this incredible award, clearly one of the most significant events of my professional career. I would like to say a special thank you to my PAFSA family, the judges and sponsors for your hard work in making this yet another successful event. “Thank you to my CEO Tim White and my company Profica family for their support, not forgetting my husband and family who have supported me throughout this journey. To my PAOTY
careersuccess magazine issue 2020
JULIE IVASON Tribe 2020, your support has been amazing during these past few intense weeks, thank you.” Ivason shared her message for others in her role: “The nature of our role not only shapes one in character and professionalism, but will certainly leave a legacy for those we inspire as leaders of influence and authority. As an Executive Assistant, I wear many hats and have to really understand the business to provide the best support to my Executives. We are expected to think ahead, communicate up, look down, stay balanced and make things happen. We are the backbones, the innovators, the task-doers, the culture-keepers, the encyclopedias, the workaholics, and about a thousand more roles. Do it all with a wink and a smile! The passion with which you do this will liberate others to do the same.” She concluded with a quote from Marianne Williamson, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”
