Interview with Nancy Tvedt

I recently had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with an Executive Assistant who embodies dedication, strategic support, and a deep connection to her New York roots: Nancy Tvedt.

Nancy brings over 20 years of incredible experience supporting senior-level management. She's currently an EA at LGT Capital Partners USA, a major international asset management firm, where she expertly supports the co-head of their US Real Estate investment division, plus three other divisions! Let's dive in.

While supporting C-suite executives in a global investment firm, you've clearly mastered complex daily schedules and international travel. What's one essential strategy or tool you rely on to manage such intricate logistics across multiple time zones without missing a beat?

When it comes to scheduling meetings, I love the online tool, Worldtime Buddy. It is a lifesaver especially if a meeting involves a client in Asia. The 12- or 13-hour time difference can be a killer.

If a manager is traveling to a conference, I work off the conference agenda or enlist the aid of one of the event organizers in planning my executive’s side meetings and travel logistics. If a manager travels to one of our overseas offices, I will work closely with the EAs there. We coordinate our team members’ calendars. I rely on their guidance with scheduling meetings, booking hotels, restaurants, etc. Collaboration is key for EAs.

In a demanding role like yours, prioritizing personal well-being is essential. What's one non-negotiable routine or activity you incorporate into your life to recharge and maintain your energy, especially after a particularly busy period at work?

I usually hunker down with a good novel (The Midnight Library by Matthew Haig) or good K-drama (The Glory). For the past year though, I’ve started meditating. It helps me destress.

When you're scouting locations for diverse event types, what are the top 2-3 non-negotiable factors you look for, and how do those change depending on whether it's a small lunch versus a larger team event?

I don’t scout locations for events since we have an Office Manager who does that. I’ve noticed that when she selects the venues, they must fit the “vibe” she is looking for, the size of the venue has to comfortably accommodate the guests and it has to be within budget.

With 20 years as an Executive Assistant, what's been the most significant change you've observed in the administrative profession, and how have you adapted your skills or approach to stay ahead of these shifts?

The most significant change for me in the EA profession is there are increasing responsibilities and expectations of EAs. When I started as an EA, my role was very straightforward - typing reports, handling expenses, travel arrangements and scheduling meetings. I’m not sure when the shift occurred to where EAs are now asked to be strategic partners.

I changed my approach to my role as EA to “What do I need to do to help my executive stay on top of his “A” game? When I was in the non-profit industry, we were overworked and understaffed. I took on some of my manager’s responsibilities because I knew he had to focus on mission driven directives.

At my current role with a global asset management firm, I make sure my executives are meeting deadlines, attending critical meetings, etc.. I approach my job as if I am playing Tetris or a board game. Sometimes I’m moving meetings around like a Tetris game to make schedules work. If an approach doesn’t work, I figure out why and what might work instead.

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Nancy Tvedt has 20+ years of experience in supporting senior level management as an EA and administrator. She is currently the EA at LGT Capital Partners USA, an international, alternative asset management firm with 100 bn USD of AUM. Nancy supports the co-head of US Real Estate investment division as well as three other divisions. Prior to working at LGT CP USA, she served as the EA and Director of Tournaments at the New York Junior Tennis League, a non-profit youth services agency which provides free youth and education programs to the city's underserved youth. Nancy is a native New Yorker and resides in Queens with her husband and son.

Connect with Nancy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-tvedt-848860b/