Kayla McPherson

About Kayla McPherson

Hi, I\'m Kayla! I am currently working full-time as the Executive Assistant to CEO, Josiah Grimes, at New Reach. As I progress in this role, I am developing a strong foundation in executive leadership support, business operations, and cross-functional collaboration-After graduating from San Diego State University with a major in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations and two minors in Spanish and Marketing, I feel confident in my ability to write professionally, communicate effectively, creatively brainstorm new marketing strategies, and lead others in business environments-“Failure is not the opposite of success: it’s part of success.” -Arianna Huffington

Experience

1. Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer

   New Reach

   Nov 2024 — Present · Tempe, AZ, US

   Own full executive support for the CEO of a 150+ employee,$100M company, acting as a gatekeeper and problem-solver to protect time and keep priorities on track- Foster strong internal and external relationships that enhance the CEO’s network, influence, and strategic reach- Manage an extremely dynamic calendar, keeping high-impact meetings and initiatives aligned with the CEO’s focus areas and preemptively adjusting schedules as business needs evolve- Lead all domestic and international travel planning, incorporating personal preferences, loyalty programs, and reward numbers to guarantee smooth logistics, minimized disruptions, and efficient use of the CEO’s time- Plan and execute leadership retreats across multiple states and countries, creating structured agendas and seamless experiences that drive executive cohesion and company culture- Build SOPs, processes, dashboards, and internal systems that streamline workflows and give leadership real-time visibility into priorities- Lead high-priority internal projects including retreat playbooks, merchandise pipelines, and communication frameworks that support executive alignment and cross-department coordination- Support legal workflows through document review, vendor communication, and contract tracking to reduce bottlenecks and ensure timely decision-making- Improve executive productivity by filtering requests, preparing summaries, drafting communications, and ensuring clean handoffs across teams.

Education

• San Diego State University

  Journalism, Public Relations