Meet Nicole, Young Professionals Ambassador IMA Global

"Hello, I'm Nicole Breunissen. I bring 5 years of experience as Personal Assistant to the General Manager at Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

My background provides a good understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by Assistants and Young Professionals in dynamic office environments.

I'm dedicated to championing the next generation of management assistants within IMA, creating an inclusive environment where young professionals feel supported and empowered to thrive."

Meet Andrea, Young Professional IMA Norway

"I am Andrea, I have been working as Management Support at Equinor for the past two years, where I have gained invaluable experience and enhanced my skills. With a background in communication, HR, and personnel management, and prior experience in the travel industry, I’m now pursuing a master's in business focusing on the energy sector.

I am passionate about artificial intelligence and its transformative potential across industries. As a young female professional with a diverse background, I advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace, believing that this enriches organizations and drives innovation.

I am glad to be an IMA member for its professional and personal benefits. I look forward to learning about the latest trends in my field, building my competence, and expanding my network. IMA offers a valuable opportunity to grow both professionally and personally."

Meet Claire, Young Professional IMA Netherlands

"I am Claire van Bers and I have been working as an assistant for over 7 years. In addition, I run my own business as a wedding planner, where I can use my organizational skills and creativity in a different way. Combining both roles gives me a unique perspective on planning and coordinating various events and projects.

For me, the IMA is a wonderful way to network with other professionals in our field and to brainstorm with peers. It provides a platform where we can share experiences, learn from one another, and collaborate on shaping the future of our profession. I am convinced that, as the younger generation, we bring many new and valuable ideas and skills that elevate the role of assistant to a higher level.

That’s why I am very enthusiastic about the fact that the IMA offers space for this fresh perspective, and that we, as young professionals, can actively contribute to the further development of our field."

Meet Fayroza, Young Professional IMA South-Africa

"Executive Assistant, Sanlam Collective Investment

I am a driven young professional who has built a diverse career across various industries, continuously striving to learn and grow.

My dedication to excellence has led to my nomination as a top 5 finalist in the Sanlam Group's PA of the Year 2024. Currently, I am furthering my education by pursuing a degree in Financial Accounting, with the goal of advancing my career and realizing my future aspirations in the field."

Meet Lisa, Young Professional IMA Germany

"I am Lisa Schmütz and have been working as an assistant for over 10 years. My further training as a management assistant and Scrum Master shows how diverse the assistant profession is and that there are many opportunities for further training. 

I'm excited to see how the assistant profession will develop in the future, also with regard to AI. And how we as assistants of the younger generation can actively shape the future. IMA always offers the latest events. All of us at IMA can actively shape the future of the assistant profession today and bring it into the world of assistance. Together we can achieve this"

Meet Niklas, Young Professional IMA Sweden

"Hi, I am Niklas Cerovina. With a solid background in the packaging industry and science sector, I transitioned in 2023 to pursue a career as an Executive Assistant.

This shift allows me to combine my technical expertise with organizational insight, offering strategic partnership and support to management.

I am highly committed to developing the future business support role, bringing a fresh perspective to the Executive Assistant profession for those who aspire to follow a similar path.

In 2024, I was honoured to receive the “Upcoming Executive Assistant of the Year” award in Sweden, an achievement made possible by the incredible support and network of my IMA colleagues."

Meet Ruth, Young Professional IMA South-Africa

"I am Ruth Flavia Nanseera, I'm based in Uganda, a member of IMA South Africa. I joined IMA in January 2024."

Our webinar in April featured insights from Nicole and Liesl Houben, a fellow young professional from IMA Belgium, exploring the perspectives, challenges, and opportunities for young management assistants. This event highlighted the importance of bridging generational gaps and promoting collaborative learning within IMA.

Building on this commitment, we hosted another Live Young Professionals Coaching Webinar in October, led by Patrycja, founder of ALOA Coaching and podcast host. This event focused on Confident Boundary Setting and Effective Communication—essential skills to help young professionals thrive in their careers.

As we look ahead, we’re eager to continue fostering growth and collaboration through exciting new initiatives in 2024. By encouraging mutual learning, we aim to create an environment where young professionals can benefit from the experience of seasoned members while bringing fresh perspectives to our vibrant community.

Support for Young Professionals - the Sonia Vanular Fund

In addition to mentoring, IMA offers financial support through the Sonia Vanular Fund (SVF) to assist students and young professional members in participating in IMA-related training, and initiatives. For further details, please contact your national IMA committee or visit the SVF section on our About Us page here.