Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Karen Bush

Leichhardt,Australia

Summary

As an experienced Executive Assistant, I currently support the Medical Director at the world-renowned Melanoma Institute Australia, who was named 2024 Australian of the Year. With a background spanning the hospitality, finance, and legal industries, I bring a diverse skill set and a strong foundation in negotiation, business planning, event coordination, and executive-level administration.

I have a proven track record of managing intricate calendars, coordinating high-level international travel, and facilitating seamless conference and stakeholder engagements. My attention to detail and proactive approach ensures every aspect of executive support runs smoothly and efficiently. Whether managing sensitive information or liaising with internal and external stakeholders, I maintain the highest standards of professionalism and discretion.

A natural problem-solver, I thrive in fast-paced environments that demand agility, foresight, and critical thinking. I take pride in stepping up to challenges and taking ownership of tasks from start to finish, consistently delivering outcomes that exceed expectations. Known for my adaptability and positive energy, I am always ready to support new initiatives, foster collaboration, and contribute meaningfully to team success.

Driven, reliable, and highly organised, I am committed to empowering leadership and supporting organisational excellence at every level.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience

Work History

Executive Assistant to Medical Director

Melanoma Institute Australia
04.2020 - Current
  • Company overview: www.melanoma.org.au
  • Management of very busy executive calendar, which included, scheduling of meeting and coordinating travel arrangements during which my executive was Australian of the Year (2024).
  • Maintained confidentiality and handled sensitive information with discretion and tact.
  • Liaison with Australian Government and International Government and agencies in respect to VIP visits to the organisation.
  • Management of an inbox with a very large number of incoming emails per day, drafting responses for same.
  • Management of billing and debtors including credit card reconciliations.
  • Processed travel expenses and reimbursements for executive team and senior management group.
  • Served as a liaison between departments to facilitate effective communication throughout the company.
  • Organised and coordinated conferences and monthly meetings.
  • Took notes and dictation at meetings.
  • Handled logistics, catering, agendas and travel arrangements for meeting and event planning for board of directors, faculty and senior staff.
  • Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
  • Greeted arriving visitors, determined nature and purpose of visit and directed individuals to appropriate destinations.

EA to General Manager

Windsor RSL Club
06.2017 - 04.2020
  • Company Overview: www.windsorrsl.com.au
  • Collating and distributing Board Packs and minutes for monthly board meetings
  • Correspondence to members, guests, community groups and associations
  • Collating and distributing AGM documents and minutes
  • Diary Management
  • Conference Registrations
  • Maintaining office equipment
  • Back of House Reception Supervisor
  • Maintaining Pitstop Terminal including enquires
  • Preparing citation letters
  • Updating of SABO by putting shows on sale and general maintenance of system
  • Assisting with entry of rosters
  • Assisting marketing department by arranging raffle prizes, weekly and major raffles including set up
  • Attending numerous events representing the club including but not limited to race days, charity breakfasts and council functions
  • Secretary of Hawkesbury Liquor Accord since 2017 which has included arranging meetings, running meetings, minutes of meeting, arranging fundraising race days
  • Central point of contact for Directors
  • Contact point for Sub Clubs
  • Accompanying Directors to Conferences and trade shows
  • Travel arrangements
  • Taking minutes of meetings – Venue Managers and Catering Department
  • Maintaining uniform distribution to staff including ordering
  • Assisting Functions department, with enquiries, set up
  • Receiving and responding to member’s complaints and enquiries and drafting responses
  • Set up of new Online ticketing SABO for entertainment
  • Dealing with agents for entertainers and arranging artwork
  • Assisting marketing department by preparing monthly magazine to members
  • Ordering stationary
  • Overseeing running of Reception for major member’s badge draw
  • Arranging functions, staff social activities and race days

EA to Director / Office Manager

Russell Corporate Advisory
11.2006 - 06.2017
  • Company Overview: www.russellcorporate.com.au
  • Managing 8 staff members
  • Liaising with clients via telephone and email
  • Preparing reports for Clients
  • Website maintenance
  • Maintaining company Trust Account in accordance with regulations
  • Negotiating agreements for new office equipment
  • Setting up and ensuring archiving systems are in place and maintained for client records
  • Arranged and organised two office moves, including construction of new offices
  • Handling all staff issues in a confidential manner
  • Built ongoing relationships with people within the Club industry, CEO’s, CFO’s, Board members and Club Members.
  • Maintained/negotiated sponsorship agreements with industry bodies.
  • Bank reconciliations
  • Reconciling company credit cards
  • Diary Management
  • Overseeing implementation and maintenance of new IT system
  • Attending Strategic Planning sessions
  • Oversee end of month billing processes, including timesheet entries, invoicing, debtors and payment of creditors
  • Arranging functions
  • Arranging attendances at tradeshows and conference as exhibitors and visitors
  • Arranging travel
  • Providing assistance on Insolvency matters by attending venues and liaising with staff members, attending creditor and member meetings
  • Representing Russell Corporate Advisory at many zone/regional meetings along with dinners/functions
  • Liaise and maintaining relationships with staff members from ClubsNSW, RSL & Services Clubs, Leagues Clubs Australia and CMAA
  • Marketing
  • Processing and compiling staff expense claims
  • Assisting with new client queries and preparing proposals

Secretary to Partner and Junior Solicitor

MasseyBailey – Solicitors
03.2005 - 11.2006
  • Area of Law : Building and Construction Law

Secretary to Associate and Senior Solicitor

Colin Biggers & Paisley – Solicitors
09.2001 - 01.2004
  • Company Overview: www.cbp.com.au
  • Area of Law: Insurance Law.

Secretary to Senior Solicitor

Steve Masselos & Co – Solicitors
01.1999 - 09.2001
  • Company Overview: www.masselos.com.au
  • Area of Law: Workers Compensation/Third Party and Personal Injury Law.

Secretary to Senior Solicitor

Stuart Levitt & Co
10.1999 - 12.1999
  • Company Overview: www.levittrobinson.com
  • Area of Law: Environmental Law, Criminal Law and Migration Law

Secretary to Two Junior Solicitors

Konstan & Associates – Solicitors
03.1997 - 10.1999
  • Area of Law: Workers Compensation, Third Party, Property and Criminal Law

Relief Legal Secretary

Priests McCarron & Sork – Solicitors
01.1995 - 01.1996
  • Company Overview: www.priestslegal.com
  • Areas of Law: Family, Probate Workers Compensation and Third Party Law

Office Junior

Falvey Byrnes & Associates – Solicitors
10.1993 - 07.1995

Education

NSW Registered Justice of The Peace #182151

Skills

  • Strong problem solver
  • Efficient time management
  • Strong communication skills
  • Team player
  • Strong work ethic
  • Adaptable
  • Event planning
  • Office management
  • Schedule & calendar planning
  • Office administration
  • Attention to detail
  • Calendar management
  • Professional and mature
  • Travel coordination
  • Meeting planning
  • Travel arrangements
  • Project planning

Timeline

Executive Assistant to Medical Director

Melanoma Institute Australia
04.2020 - Current

EA to General Manager

Windsor RSL Club
06.2017 - 04.2020

EA to Director / Office Manager

Russell Corporate Advisory
11.2006 - 06.2017

Secretary to Partner and Junior Solicitor

MasseyBailey – Solicitors
03.2005 - 11.2006

Secretary to Associate and Senior Solicitor

Colin Biggers & Paisley – Solicitors
09.2001 - 01.2004

Secretary to Senior Solicitor

Stuart Levitt & Co
10.1999 - 12.1999

Secretary to Senior Solicitor

Steve Masselos & Co – Solicitors
01.1999 - 09.2001

Secretary to Two Junior Solicitors

Konstan & Associates – Solicitors
03.1997 - 10.1999

Relief Legal Secretary

Priests McCarron & Sork – Solicitors
01.1995 - 01.1996

Office Junior

Falvey Byrnes & Associates – Solicitors
10.1993 - 07.1995

NSW Registered Justice of The Peace #182151
Karen Bush