From EA to Strategic Partner: How Elizabeth Price Is Redefining Leadership Behind the Scenes

Kicking off our new student spotlight blog series: Meet Elizabeth Price.

Meet recent Nova graduate and aspiring Chief of Staff, Elizabeth Price.

For the past several years, Elizabeth has held the role of Senior Executive Assistant at SOREL Footwear, supporting multiple senior leaders through high-stakes transitions and company-defining moments. But if you ask her, she’ll tell you: she was never just “supporting,” she was contributing, leading, and anticipating.

“I came to realize that my role extended far beyond managing calendars, expense reports, and meeting notes. I was contributing to business decisions, I was trusted for my emotional intelligence and relied upon to lead company-wide communications and strategic planning. I wasn’t just supporting the business. I was part of it.”

Elizabeth saw a growing need for a Chief of Staff on the Senior Leadership Team and realized she was already stepping into that space.

“I was trusted as a strategic partner, and I wanted to build the skills to match the responsibility.”

It’s that mindset that drew her to Nova and the Chief of Staff path. A hunger not just to grow her skillset, but to own her seat at the table. When she discovered Nova’s Chief of Staff course through Jeremy Burrows and the Leader Assistant podcast, something clicked.

“It was a turning point. I found a community of like-minded EAs and was continually inspired by the stories shared, especially the ones highlighting the Nova Chief of Staff course.

After hearing Maggie Olson’s story about how she created the course while pregnant, encouraged by her mother to pursue her vision—I was all in. Her journey resonated deeply with me. I’m a firm believer in women supporting women, and I knew this was the next step in my own path.”

There was one quote of Maggie’s, however, that really stuck with her. “Let's end the stigma of EAs being 'stuck' in their roles. Every day, I hear of EAs leaning into their power. And I will never stop shouting it: you can be anything you want to be.” - Maggie Olson, Nova Founder

“That kind of belief in the power of Executive Assistants lit a fire in me. I wasn’t just investing in myself, I was investing in the future of how EAs show up as leaders.”

Elizabeth enrolled in Nova’s Chief of Staff certification course and dove in.

“This course didn’t just boost my confidence, it accelerated my ability to drive real business outcomes.”

She started using tools like the “President’s Radar” to bring more clarity and momentum to her 1:1s with leadership.

“One of the most valuable aspects of the course was the abundance of templates, tools, and support available. But what truly made an impact was the opportunity to immediately put the learning into practice.”

Now, Elizabeth is actively seeking her next chapter in a Chief of Staff role, where she can continue doing what she does best: creating transformational systems in complex environments, building trust at every level, and helping organizations thrive through transitions.

And to anyone wondering if they’re ready to take the leap, this is what Elizabeth has to say:

“This is your moment to invest in your career in a way that will also elevate the leaders and company you support. Finding the time isn’t easy, as there’s never a perfect moment. I say that as the main breadwinner for a family of four.

But if there’s one thing people know about me, it’s that my motto during tough seasons is: “Bring it.” So I’m encouraging you to bring it for yourself. Take the leap.

The Nova Chief of Staff course gave me the confidence to show up and advocate for myself in ways I always knew I had in me. It’s not just worth it. It’s transformative.”

At Nova, we help people understand the wide breadth of the Chief of Staff role and lead from a strategic CoS lens. We firmly believe that hands-on practice, which involves doing what Chiefs of Staff do every day, builds confidence and competence, enabling Nova students to articulate their strategic value and go after what they deserve. With over 1200 students across 40+ countries, testimonials like Elizabeth’s are not rare. If you’re looking to level up your strategic leadership, head over to this page to request a copy of our Nova Chief of Staff Certification course syllabus. If even half of it sparks your interest, it’s a strong sign you’re ready to dive in.