In today’s workplace, executives are navigating constant change—new technologies, expanding responsibilities, and increasing pressure to move faster with fewer resources. In the middle of it all sits an often underleveraged asset: the administrative professional.

The 2025 ASAP State of the Profession Report makes one thing clear: administrative roles have evolved far beyond traditional task support. Administrative professionals are increasingly strategic, technology-enabled partners whose impact grows when executives invest in their development.

The Role Has Changed, Whether Job Titles Have or Not

According to the report, administrative responsibilities now span an average of 24 distinct duties, cutting across organizational communication, executive operations, project management, and process improvement. As admins move through ASAP’s four Career Stages—Assisting, Supporting, Partnering, and Leading—their work shifts from tactical execution to strategic influence.

At the same time, technology is accelerating this evolution. AI adoption among administrative professionals more than doubled in just one year, rising from 26% in 2024 to 53% in 2025. Adoption is highest among admins who support executives, reinforcing the idea that the role is increasingly tied to efficiency, decision-making, and strategic leverage.

For executives, this data highlights an important reality: when admins are trained and supported, they help leaders operate at a higher level.

An Executive Perspective from Vanderbilt University

Shane Callahan, Chief Information Officer at Vanderbilt University, has seen this firsthand. With more than 25 years of leadership experience across technology, cybersecurity, and intelligence—and a career shaped by service in both the U.S. Air Force and Navy Reserves—Shane understands the value of strong partnerships.

When his executive assistant, Deanna Danger, attended EA Ignite Fall ’25 in Nashville, TN, the impact went beyond individual skill development.

“Deanna has always been a motivated top performer,” Shane shared. “Attendance to EA Ignite helped start a conversation about the value of the EA career field and seeing it differently.”

That shift in perspective matters. The State of the Profession data confirms that as administrative professionals gain access to training, they take on greater autonomy, contribute more strategically, and become trusted partners rather than transactional support.

Shane also noted that Vanderbilt sent multiple admins to the event, which amplified the benefit. “The commitment to partnerships was strengthened,” he said, underscoring how shared learning experiences can align expectations and elevate collaboration across teams.

More Than Skill-Building: A Mindset Shift

For Shane, the culture of the event left the strongest impression.

“I don’t know that I’ve ever been to a conference with such eagerness to learn and evolve,” he said.

That enthusiasm aligns with a broader trend. In 2025, 59% of administrative professionals completed external training, including conferences and courses—up from 52% the year prior. Leading-stage admins report the highest participation rates, reinforcing the link between professional development and high-impact performance.

Shane also observed a deeper industry challenge: a widespread disconnect around what true executive–EA partnership looks like.

“It seems like a battle of personal preferences and industry standards,” he noted.

Conferences like EA Ignite help surface these differences, creating space for clearer conversations about partnership, expectations, and how the role can be better utilized.

The Business Case for Investing in Admin Development

From a business perspective, the return on investment is compelling. The 2025 report shows that performance-related pay increases are strongly tied to external training participation, and that admins in the most advanced career stages—who are also the most trained—earn more, manage more complexity, and serve as strategic advisors.

Well-trained administrative professionals help executives:

• Reduce rework and miscommunication
• Make better, faster decisions
• Leverage technology to free up executive time
• Build resilient systems that scale with the organization

In short, investing in admin development strengthens leadership capacity.

A Message to Executives on the Fence

For executives still weighing the investment, Shane offers simple advice:

“I would encourage them to take the chance and investment,” he said. “I would also suggest that they also attend themselves.”

Because the greatest gains come not just from sending admins to learn—but from building partnerships rooted in shared growth.