Interview with Louise Walker, M.Ed.

This week, I am so excited to be interviewing the amazing Louise Walker! With over 16 years of experience as an administrative professional, Louise has a truly interesting and inspiring story to tell. Her journey is a perfect example of how a career in administration can be a powerful and dynamic path, and I'm looking forward to sharing her unique insights with all of you.

With over 16 years of experience, you’re a results-driven professional with a proven ability to make sound judgments with minimal supervision. Can you describe a complex, high-pressure situation where you had to make a critical judgment call on your own, and what that experience taught you?

A complex, high-pressure situation where I had to make a critical judgment call on my own was during a major office relocation at an insurance company, where I was responsible for space planning. I had been working closely with my manager to select the right moving company and coordinate logistics. However, mid-project, my manager left and I was reassigned under a new leader, which meant I had to make many of the final decisions independently. I evaluated vendors, confirmed contracts, and ensured the move stayed on schedule. The relocation was ultimately successful, and the experience taught me the importance of staying calm under pressure, quickly assessing priorities, and making confident decisions that keep the bigger picture in focus.

Your background includes both Executive Administrative Business Partner and HR Professional roles. How do you believe your HR expertise uniquely enhances your ability to support C-suite executives and foster team development and growth?

My HR background enhances my ability to support executives by giving me a deeper understanding of how a business operates, not only from an administrative perspective, but also through the lens of HR, which, alongside administrative professionals, often serves as the backbone of an organization. This perspective allows me to think more strategically, remain emotionally grounded, and better understand the human dynamics that drive team success. Together, these skills give me multiple viewpoints and ultimately make me a stronger, more valuable partner to C-suite leaders.

Event planning is a key part of your role. Whether it’s a major corporate event or a smaller team gathering, how do you apply your blend of creative problem-solving and structured thinking to ensure its success? Can you share an example of an event you’ve orchestrated?

In my current role, I primarily assist event planners as needed, but in previous positions I managed events from start to finish. One example was a collaborative event between a Neuroscience Institute that I worked for and a local Foundation. I oversaw the logistics, working closely with the Foundation’s Director to align on her vision and with the Executive Director on final touches. I managed room set-ups, I.T. readiness, catering, and music, ensuring everything was in place before guests arrived. The event was a success, and I later coordinated additional events at the Institute, including the Neuroscience Seminar series. These experiences strengthened my ability to blend structured planning with flexibility, ensuring smooth execution and memorable outcomes.

Can you share an example of a time you were given a very difficult or seemingly impossible task, and how you leveraged your resourcefulness to successfully complete it?

As administrative professionals, we often face these challenges daily. Many times, we’re expected to figure things out without a clear roadmap. For example, I’ve been handed receipts with no context for expense reports and had to research the company or transaction myself because the executive was unavailable. Another example is being assigned tasks with vague directions and still finding a way to deliver results. These situations happen frequently, but they’ve sharpened my resourcefulness, creativity, and confidence in finding solutions.

Finally, in a role that involves constant organization and high-pressure situations, self-care is vital. As someone who finds joy in organizing, how do you intentionally set aside time for yourself and maintain your energy and well-being outside of work?

Self-care is essential to my balance and success. I intentionally make time for the things that recharge me, spending time with family, traveling, hiking to waterfalls, working out, and reading. I also find joy in organizing, not just at work but at home too. Maintaining order in my personal life allows me to recharge mentally and emotionally, which helps me bring my best energy back into my professional role.

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Name: Louise Walker

From: Jupiter, FL (a little town I call home 🌴)

Currently Residing in: Port Saint Lucie, FL

Hobbies: Reading, working out, fishing, traveling, spending time with family, shopping, and hiking to waterfalls

I started working in the administrative field at a very young age. On “Take Your Child to Work Day,” I would accompany my mom, who worked in healthcare administration. I loved helping with filing, answering phones, and completing small office tasks. Looking back, those little moments planted the seed that grew into my passion for the administrative profession.

Fast forward to age 21: I had just graduated with a Medical Coding & Billing certification and re-enrolled in school to pursue nursing. At the same time, I began working at a Pulmonary & Sleep Specialist Physicians Practice as a receptionist. Within that role, I was promoted to Administrative Coordinator of the front office. That’s when I discovered that I thrived on the administrative side of the business far more than the clinical side. Although they gave me opportunities to interact with patients from the clinical side, I quickly realized my passion was in organizing, coordinating, and problem-solving behind the scenes.

I stayed in that role for 10 years, which provided me with invaluable experience and clarity. Without it, I may have ended up in the wrong field entirely. That role cemented my love for administration and laid the foundation for the 16+ years of experience I now bring to every position I hold.

Connect with Louise on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-walker-m-ed-77440b196/