One EA’s journey to redefine opportunity

Voices of Viva is a conversation-style blog series that explores the “why” behind our mission through the lens of our team at Viva. Today, we talk about how to redefine opportunity.

In Episode 3, we speak with Stephanie Rodriguez, Executive Assistant and global citizen with experience living and working across Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Latin America. Stephanie brings a vibrant mix of resilience, reflection, and radical candor to everything she does, making her an ideal voice to highlight what gender equality looks like at work, and how we can lead change from wherever we stand.

“This is the perfect opportunity to use my voice.”

Stephanie shared that one of the biggest reasons she wanted to participate in Voices of Viva was because it aligned so closely with one of our core values: Use Your Voice.

“One of the missions of the company is to provide women the opportunity to use our voice. This series is a perfect representation of that.”

What gender equality means to her

To Stephanie, gender equality is equal opportunity in action, not just in words.

“It’s the ability of decision-makers to provide roles, chances, and a voice to all regardless of gender. Talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not.”

Her words echo one of the phrases we often use at Viva and show the power of leadership in building a world where more women are given the platform to lead, grow, and thrive.

A memory that shaped her

Stephanie’s earliest experience of gender inequality dates back to her teenage years in Saudi Arabia.

“When I turned 16, I was excited to take driving lessons—until I realized that women weren’t allowed to drive at the time. It wasn’t just about transportation. It was about freedom.”

That moment shaped her understanding of inequality, not just as something that’s unfair, but as something that limits potential and silences choice.

On her first job and the missing women at the top

“When I graduated college and joined my first company, I looked around and thought—where are all the women?”

Stephanie described entering a workplace where the vast majority of leaders were men. The silence she felt as a new professional wasn’t just a lack of female leaders; it was a lack of representation, mentorship, and role models.

Her advice to others entering similar spaces?

“Lead by example. Use your voice and your talent to show that we are not counterparts—but equal partners.”

What organizations can do

Stephanie emphasized that meaningful change goes beyond good intentions.

“Organizations need to empower women to lead, to question, and to promote change. It’s not just about having a seat at the table, it’s about knowing your voice will be heard and will lead to action.”

Reframing impostor syndrome

Stephanie shared candidly about her relationship with impostor syndrome and how she’s learned to reframe it.

“I’m a chronic impostor syndrome person. But I’ve started to see it differently. When I feel like I’m not the smartest person in the room, I remind myself what a privilege it is to learn from others. I become a sponge and turn fear into empowerment.”

Her mindset is a powerful reminder: self-doubt doesn’t have to be a roadblock. It can be a catalyst for growth.

A vision for the future

Stephanie dreams of a world where merit, not gender, determines opportunity.

“I once met a woman in Saudi Arabia who had a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. But when I asked what she did, she said she was just handling secretary tasks. That stuck with me.”

Her message is clear: talent shouldn’t go to waste because of societal expectations.

“I want to go to a business conference and see women leading companies, not just attending. I want us to be equals, not exceptions.”

On Viva’s role

Stephanie sees Viva as an example of what it looks like to not just talk about empowerment, but build the systems and culture that support it.

“We’re given growth path choices and also the tools to succeed in them. We’re not just told we can grow, we’re shown how. And that’s huge.”

She also shared how much it means to be able to use her voice at Viva and to inspire others to do the same.

Ready to redefine opportunity on your team? Partner with an EA who leads with voice, resilience, and impact. Book a call with our team today.

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Adnan Khan

Adnan is a Co-founder & co-CEO at Viva, where he oversees the People and Customer Success functions. Prior to Viva, Adnan was at Deloitte Consulting, where he was exposed to many key ingredients for his Viva journey, including executive assistants, Latin American talent, and remote work. Health and family are Adnan’s two biggest priorities outside of his career. He enjoys playing squash, running long distances, and cooking. Quality time is his love language and he likes to spend his time with his wife and son. Adnan writes frequently about leadership, delegation, and executive assistants on the Viva blog.