Case Study – How Diana van Maasdijk, Co-Founder and CEO of Equileap, gained peace of mind and focus through seamless Executive Assistance

Meet Diana van Maasdijk, CEO and Co-Founder of Equileap, a mission-driven organization at the forefront of driving diversity, inclusion, and gender equality in the corporate world.

With a clear mission to close the equality gap in the workplace, Equileap empowers investors to leverage their influence to spark meaningful change. Through data and insights, Diana’s team plays a pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive and equitable future of work.

Having been a Headroom member since 2018, Diana is no stranger to working with Executive Assistants. Over the years, our collaboration has grown into a deeply integrated partnership that gives her the structure and headspace she needs to focus on high-impact work.

The Challenge: “I needed someone who could think with me, and ahead of me.”

As the leader of a growing company with a bold mission, Diana’s days were filled with meetings, travel, and shifting priorities. On top of that, there were multiple inboxes to monitor, clients to follow up with, and a team that relied on her for leadership and structure.“I wasn’t just looking for someone to handle admin,” Diana shares. “I needed someone who could take initiative and keep everything moving, even without me constantly having to check in.”

The Solution: All-round, embedded support

That’s where her dedicated EA came in. Fully integrated into the day-to-day rhythm of the business, Diana’s EA supports across the board, from inbox to operations.

She manages Diana’s inbox, along with those of her COO and the general company inbox. By spotting what needs attention and taking initiative where possible, she keeps things moving without requiring Diana to step in. Scheduling is handled with care. Whether it’s local client meetings or international travel, appointments are grouped efficiently, travel time is included, and relevant information is attached. Diana can simply show up prepared.

Behind the scenes, her EA manages a wide range of operational tasks. HR processes such as onboarding, holiday tracking, and immigration support are handled with ease. Finance and admin are also covered, with invoices sent, expense claims processed, and tools like HubSpot kept up to date. Contracts are managed efficiently, and even small but important tasks, like arranging team gifts or setting up software access, are taken care of.

Every Monday they check in to align on priorities for the week and discuss any new developments. This regular touchpoint helps keep everything on track.“It’s such a relief knowing someone has an overview of everything. And the weekly check-ins really help us stay ahead instead of catching up.”

The Result: Focus to lead with impact

With her EA, and a well-trained backup team that can step in seamlessly when needed, Diana now has consistent, proactive support she can rely on. The result? Fewer bottlenecks, more focus, and more time to lead her company forward.
“The communication is smooth, and that’s the key to our successful collaboration.”

Want to experience the same kind of headspace and support?

Let’s chat about how a dedicated EA could transform your workweek.