Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Rita Leseth

Des Plaines,IL

Summary

Executive Business Administrator - “Making Life Easier for Busy Executives” Highly organized and meticulous Executive Administrator with deep expertise supporting senior leadership teams including C-level executives and their respective teams of 100+ members. Consummate professional dedicated to making life easier for busy executives. Serves as an effective gatekeeper; prepares well-researched and accurate documents; manages busy calendars; and efficiently manages daily office tasks. Initiative-taking professional working with a sense of urgency to anticipate the needs of senior level executives and their teams Expertly manages complex leadership calendars maximizing their ability to enjoy work-life balance Adept at planning and coordinating world-wide travel and the timely management of expenses Skilled at organizing small and large scale meetings, corporate and social events and team building efforts Provides 24/7 support, and meticulously manages multiple initiatives Analyzes, prioritizes and completes tasks while exhibiting professionalism and sound judgement Areas of strength include strict confidentiality, organizational effectiveness, calendar and travel management, internal and external communication, project management, and employee engagement.

Professional with strong background in executive support, adept at managing complex schedules, coordinating meetings, and handling confidential information. Highly skilled in communication, organization, and problem-solving, ensuring seamless office operations. Focused on team collaboration and achieving results, adapting flexibly to changing needs and priorities. Dependable and resourceful, consistently delivering high-quality outcomes.

Overview

35
35
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Independent Contractor
10.2021 - Current
  • Supporting individual projects as required.

Executive Assistant

ECG Management Consultants
05.2023 - 07.2025
  • Managed executive calendars, scheduling appointments and coordinating travel arrangements for optimal efficiency.
  • Trained new administrative staff on operational protocols, fostering a collaborative work environment through mentorship.
  • Oversaw budget management for office supplies, ensuring cost-effective purchasing while maintaining inventory levels.
  • Maintained confidentiality with sensitive documents, ensuring proper storage and distribution as needed.
  • Contributed to budget management by monitoring expenses and providing detailed expenditure reports regularly.
  • Facilitated onboarding of new employees, ensuring smooth transition into company culture and workflow.
  • Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
  • Coordinated events and worked on ad hoc projects.
  • Liaised with internal departments and external stakeholders to facilitate communication and project progress.
  • Handled confidential and sensitive information with discretion and tact.
  • Managed executive calendars, scheduling meetings and appointments and coordinating travel arrangements to optimize time.
  • Processed travel expenses and reimbursements for executive team and senior management group.
  • Managed office inventory, tracking supplies and placing orders to ensure smooth daily operations.
  • Coordinated events for staff members, promoting team-building activities and boosting morale within the workplace.
  • Delivered exceptional organizational support enabling executive focus on high-level strategic initiatives fostering company growth.

Executive Assistant / Office Manager

Banner Solutions
06.2021 - 10.2021
  • Provided dedicated support to the executive Leadership team
  • Managed office and events

Executive Assistant to the General Manager and his team

BMW Technology Corporation
05.2008 - 06.2021
  • Company Overview: (Through a series of acquisitions, the entities for which I worked since 2008 were known as: Novarra 2008 – 2010; Nokia 2010 – 2014; Microsoft 2014 – 2015 – BMW Technology 2015-2021)
  • Provided dedicated support to the President and team of 150+
  • Responsible for all administrative services
  • Member of team facilitating integration to new entity
  • Coordinated site activities and events
  • Led cost-saving projects including revamped test-phone and employee lunch programs reducing monthly spend by $2.5K
  • Facilities Management including maintenance and vendor contracts

Executive Assistant to the President / Office Manager

Deno’s Catering
06.2004 - 05.2008
  • Introduced framework and standard procedures to streamline sales and operations resulting in an increase of daily revenue from $3K to $10K while enjoying additional savings achieved by reducing expenses and labor costs
  • Sourced government grants and programs relative to our business. Optimized these opportunities to secure financing and matching funds in excess of $1M to grow the business. Researched and initiated key opportunities supporting the company’s vision to establish a “give-back” relationship within the community
  • Hiring / Managing Team / Payroll / AR & AP

Executive Assistant to the President

Sun Process Converting
05.1994 - 05.2004
  • Assisted President in successfully developing and implementing multiple programs to increase sales
  • Personally responsible for several “house” accounts representing 25% ($3M+) of annual sales volume
  • Streamlined operating costs by consolidating two manufacturing plants into one 100,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility
  • Led the negotiating team that secured tax incentives and preferred financing with the Village of Mount Prospect for a combined savings of well over $1M

General Manager

Omnicom Office Support Services
07.1990 - 05.1994
  • Brought on to increase ancillary revenue by taking excess real estate and delivering new business concept.
  • Project Managed the successful introduction of new business initiative offering shared office space and executive secretarial and administrative support on-time and under budget
  • Oversight for brand and creative development from conception to implementation
  • Led marketing program with dual objective to grow ad-hoc support while achieving occupancy quotas for leased space
  • Responsible for all financials, vendor relations and contract management
  • Hired and managed administrative, maintenance and support staff

Education

No Degree - Accounting

William Rainey Harper College
Palatine, IL

Skills

  • Executive support
  • Strong problem solver
  • Schedule & calendar planning
  • Administrative support
  • Office management
  • Professional and mature
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Information confidentiality
  • Customer Service-oriented
  • Expense reporting
  • Scheduling
  • Calendar management

Certification

  • Member of IAAP (International Association of Administrative Professionals)
  • Certified Administrative Professional
  • OM (Organizational Management) Certification – March 2017
  • PM Certification – March 2018
  • TA Certification – March 2019

Timeline

Executive Assistant

ECG Management Consultants
05.2023 - 07.2025

Independent Contractor
10.2021 - Current

Executive Assistant / Office Manager

Banner Solutions
06.2021 - 10.2021

Executive Assistant to the General Manager and his team

BMW Technology Corporation
05.2008 - 06.2021

Executive Assistant to the President / Office Manager

Deno’s Catering
06.2004 - 05.2008

Executive Assistant to the President

Sun Process Converting
05.1994 - 05.2004

General Manager

Omnicom Office Support Services
07.1990 - 05.1994

No Degree - Accounting

William Rainey Harper College
Rita Leseth