Sondra Hays
Bloomington
Summary
Strategic Executive Administrative Assistant with 18 years of experience across diverse functions, including customer service, training, and operations. Demonstrates strong executive readiness and sound judgment while driving process improvements and technology adoption. Fosters collaboration within administrative teams to enhance efficiency and support organizational objectives.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Administrative Assistant II
State Farm Insurance Companies
Bloomington
04.2025 - Current
- Manage complex calendars, shifting priorities, and VPO inbox flow for OVP and VPO leaders, surfacing urgent items, key decisions, and leadership commitments to support timely follow-through
- Anticipate communication needs on emerging business topics, draft executive-ready messages, and partner with Corporate Communications to strengthen alignment, tone, and clarity across leadership channels
- Build customized executive support systems that improve continuity, reduce friction, and proactively address issues before they impact leaders’ schedules or deliverables
- Drive executive event readiness by preparing detailed logistics packets, coordinating key details, and creating a clear path for seamless execution
- Apply AI tools to accelerate business support, including developing an executive summary for a board presentation and identifying practical ways to improve speed, clarity, and preparedness
- Lead a Viva Engage community of nearly 400 administrative assistants and leaders, creating an enterprise-wide forum for collaboration, knowledge sharing, peer support, professional development, and best-practice sharing
Executive Administrative Assistant II
State Farm Insurance Companies
Bloomington
04.2023 - 04.2025
- Provided comprehensive executive support to the Vice President and Assistant Vice President, expanding ownership of calendars, travel, meeting preparation, and daily operational priorities
- Managed and prioritized VP communications to improve responsiveness, follow-through, and awareness of time-sensitive items
- Identified operational gaps and implemented solutions to improve workflow and executive support
- Built tailored support practices that reflected each executive’s working style, helping create smoother daily operations and stronger continuity of support
Executive Administrative Assistant II
State Farm Insurance Companies
Bloomington
10.2016 - 04.2023
- Supported the Vice President-Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Vice President through a high-volume compliance environment, balancing complex schedules, priorities, and executive needs
- Served as a steady administrative partner during intensive Federal Reserve-related compliance engagement, supporting coordination, follow-up, and continuity in a highly regulated environment. Monitored deadlines, deliverables, and workflow gaps, proactively coordinating follow-up to keep leadership priorities moving forward
- Collaborated with analysts to prepare accurate expense estimates and budget communications for executives
- Founded and facilitated an administrative assistant Yammer community to share efficiency tools, development resources, and technical tips
Executive Secretary I
State Farm Insurance Companies
Bloomington
06.2012 - 10.2016
- Supported one Assistant Vice President and up to five Directors across Learning & Development and Life/Health Product Management, coordinating calendars, travel, meetings, expenses, communications, and administrative priorities
- Managed AVP email flow and routine communications, strengthening judgment in prioritization, response timing, confidentiality, and follow-through
- Proposed an enterprise-wide executive secretary training and development curriculum adopted to support over 300 administrative assistants
Secretary II
State Farm Insurance Companies
Bloomington
02.2008 - 06.2012
- Supported Directors and Managers with scheduling, technical assistance, and travel arrangements, enhancing operational efficiency for the Vice President
- Developed expense estimates to facilitate budget discussions among leaders and executives
- Coordinated calendars, travel, and meetings, delivering project support while honing organizational skills and attention to detail
Education
Secretarial Science Degree -
Robert Morris College
Carthage, IllinoisSkills
- Executive calendar management
- Travel and logistics coordination
- Executive communication drafting
- Complex calendar management
- Executive communication drafting
- Event logistics coordination
- Budget management
- Workflow optimization
- Technology and AI utilization
Personal Information
Title: Executive Administrative Assistant II
Professional Designations
Title: Executive Administrative Assistant II
Timeline
Executive Administrative Assistant II
State Farm Insurance Companies
04.2025 - Current
Executive Administrative Assistant II
State Farm Insurance Companies
04.2023 - 04.2025
Executive Administrative Assistant II
State Farm Insurance Companies
10.2016 - 04.2023
Executive Secretary I
State Farm Insurance Companies
06.2012 - 10.2016
Secretary II
State Farm Insurance Companies
02.2008 - 06.2012
Secretarial Science Degree -
Robert Morris College