LaCresha Mirrielees is the heart of the NTT DATA Services public sector, executives at the firm say.
“Not only does she perform her duties as an executive assistant to a level beyond excellence, but she also extends that excellence to the greater community and the NTT DATA family,” an executive wrote in Mirrielees’ winning nomination for the Executive Assistant of the Year award as part of the 2018 Pinnacle Awards.
“LaCresha is the rare individual who gives freely of herself in support of others,” executives wrote in her nomination. “Whether she is responding to a text from an executive halfway around the world at 3 a.m., making sure a team member receives a sympathy card or coordinating the company wreath laying at Arlington Cemetery — LaCresha can be counted on to manage each situation with the greatest of efficiency and care. “
Executives characterize Mirrielees’ administrative work as “flawless,” taking her responsibilities far beyond the standard job description of executive assistant.
“As an extension of the executive team, LaCresha is a consummate professional maintaining the respect and confidentiality of her role, yet, at the same time LaCresha is approachable. Every employee at NTT DATA knows she will listen attentively to any personal or professional triumph or concern with discretion.”
In addition, Mirrielees cares about her colleagues, they say, and does the “little things” that make the company a great place to work; from Friday morning doughnuts to monthly birthday cakes and “jersey days.” (Mirrielees takes full advantage of the latter to cheer on her beloved Jets).
In addition, each year, she single-handedly mobilizes company employees to participate in a series of charitable giving events, including a backpack drive to help D.C.-area children. During the holidays, she spearheads the making of bag lunches for the homeless, serving dinner at a local shelter and collecting, wrapping and delivering gifts. She can often be found challenging herself physically on behalf of a charity — the polar plunge for Special Olympics, the MS bike ride, the walk for breast cancer, or the Freedom Tower for the 911 fund. Every year, Mirrielees selects a charity, trains and gives freely of herself to help others.
The 2018 Pinnacle Awards, which honor leaders and influencers in the GovCon space, were presented by WashingtonExec on Nov. 1.
Winners were named from list of 50 finalists across 13 categories. In the Executive Assistant of the Year category, five EAs from public companies and five EAs from private companies were named winners.