PA Life sat down with Oksana Gabriel whose career progression has been phenomenal – she jumped from her first position as a junior assistant to an Office Manager in less than five years…
Your strong event management skills and experience won you the Event Organiser Star 2025 award. Congratulations! Has this recognition made an impact in your professional life?
Thank you! It was a lovely recognition and definitely a proud moment for me. Event management is an important part of my role and a lot of work happens behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly. Professionally, it has given me greater confidence in my event management skills and encouraged me to keep developing this area of my role. It was also a great opportunity to connect with other professionals in the PA and EA community and celebrate the work we do, which can sometimes go unseen.
You have progressed from an administrator to an Office Manager/PA in under five years, and to an EA four years later. Did you have clear career goals set out from the start?
Not at all! After school, I trained as a reflexologist and beauty therapist,
gaining ITEC qualifications, and worked in the beauty industry for several years. Over time, I realised I wanted to explore something different and became increasingly interested in business. While continuing to work full-time, I started a Business Management degree at the University of East London (UEL). At the same time, I was also considering a career in accounting and studied towards an AAT qualification alongside my degree. It was a busy period, but it helped me understand where my strengths
and interests really were. I eventually realised that I am much more of a people person and that a career focused primarily on numbers wasn’t for me. Not long afterwards, I secured my first role in a corporate environment as a Receptionist/Office Administrator at ECA. I spent five very happy years there, gaining experience and gradually taking on more responsibility. From there, I moved into my first Office Manager/PA role at a real estate investment firm, which really set me on the path towards becoming an Executive Assistant.
You now combine the EA and Office Manager roles. Are there any conflicts and what do you enjoy most?
What I’ve learnt from experience is that combining the EA and Office Manager roles can work very well but it rarely works as a 50/50 split. There needs to be a clear understanding of priorities and the flexibility to shift focus depending on what the business needs at the time. For example, when supporting a busy CEO in a global organisation, there will inevitably be times when executive support has to take priority. That means being realistic about what can be achieved on the office management side, and recognising that not everything can be done at once. I like working closely with senior leadership while also being connected to the wider team and the day-to-day running of the office. The Office Manager side allows me to be creative, solve practical problems and create a positive working environment, while the EA role gives me insight into the wider business and its priorities.
You work in the global energy storage, a sector with increasing importance in the move to cleaner energy. How much does the industry you work in influence your career. And what’s your industry like to work in?
The energy storage sector is still relatively new to me, so I’m very much learning as I go. I don’t have a technical background, but I find it fascinating to work in an industry that is playing an important role in the transition to cleaner energy. It’s also a fast-moving and international environment, which I really enjoy.
What three qualities make you an outstanding Office Manage and EA?
I would say passion for what I do, continuous learning and reliability. I genuinely enjoy my work, and I think it makes a real difference. I’m always looking for ways to learn
and improve, whether through books, coaches, mentors or simply through experience. I also take ownership of my responsibilities and aim to be someone people can consistently rely on and trust. What advice would you give to aspiring assistants aiming to climb the career ladder? Never stop learning. Learn as much as you can on the job but also invest in your own development through courses, training, webinars, books, professional coaches and mentors. Networking is equally important, as there is so much we can learn from others in the profession. Be curious, take on new challenges and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.
Are you concerned about any aspects of AI in your role and in business in general, including its energy consumption?
I wouldn’t say I’m concerned about AI but I do find the pace of change quite overwhelming at times. There are so many different tools available that the challenge is understanding which ones are genuinely useful and how to apply them effectively in my role. That’s one of the reasons I recently started coaching sessions with Craig Bryson from Admin AI Insights. I wanted more tailored guidance focused specifically on how AI can support me as an EA and Office Manager. I’ve attended various webinars, which have been useful, but they can often be quite general. For me, having more personalised support feels like the best way to learn and make practical use of AI in my day-to-day work.
Which three tools, or tech, help you most in staying efficient and organised?
ChatGPT is a great tool for research, ideas and helping me work through information quickly. Claude is particularly useful for working on larger projects, while Power Automate is probably my favourite because it helps me automate repetitive tasks and make everyday processes more efficient.
What would your ideal working day look like?
I’d like it to have a good balance of structure and variety. I enjoy starting the day
with clear priorities, having time to focus on projects and improvements, while still dealing with the unexpected things that naturally come with being an EA and Office Manager. I also really enjoy interacting with people, so a day with a mix of focused work, problem-solving and connecting with colleagues would be ideal.
Which restaurants and hotels do you favour for your execs and clients, in London or anywhere else?
I tend to favour restaurants with private dining rooms, as they work particularly
well for business lunches, dinners and team events. Privacy, good service and the right atmosphere are important, but I also look for venues that are flexible and easy to work with from an organiser’s perspective. A great guest experience often comes down to how well the venue handles all the details behind the scenes.
If you weren’t an EA today, what would you be?
I think I would be running my own business and practising reflexology. It was where my career originally started, and I still love the idea of helping people feel better.
What do you enjoy most about the PA Life Club membership?
I really enjoy the networking opportunities and being part of a community of people who understand the role and its challenges. The events are also a great way to discover new
venues and suppliers, share experiences with other assistants and learn from each other.
How important is networking for you? Any tips?
It’s a very important way to learn from others, exchange ideas and build relationships with people who understand the challenges of the role. My advice would be to be genuine, stay curious and don’t approach networking as simply collecting contacts. The most valuable connections develop naturally over time.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
A former executive I supported gave me great advice: he told me that you should
have a genuine passion for what you do, because it’s difficult to truly excel at something you don’t enjoy. That has always stayed with me. When you enjoy your work, you naturally want to learn, improve and give your best.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I love skiing, travelling and discovering new places, cultures and cuisines. I’m also fascinated by history, so when I travel, I really enjoy learning about the story behind a place.
What’s next for you?
For me, it’s about continuing to grow and develop in my role. I’m particularly interested in learning how to use AI and automation more effectively to work smarter and improve the way I do things. I also want to keep challenging myself, learning from others and seeing where that takes me. I’ve never had a rigid career plan and I think that’s part of the excitement!
