Frequently Asked Questions
Athena commitment
What are Athena’s requirements?
When you work with Athena as a client, you receive a dedicated, full-time Executive Assistant (EA). Athena manages recruiting, training, ongoing support, and infrastructure so you can confidently delegate both professional and personal work.
What happens if I need more support as an Athena client?
Your Athena team is prepared to meet your needs, wherever they are. If you need extra support, reach out to your Partnership Manager and they’ll take it from there.
Is there a minimum commitment period when joining Athena?
We offer both month to month and discounted annual commitments choices.
Getting started with Athena
What does onboarding look like, and how long will it take?
Our onboarding process is designed to give your Athena partnership the strongest start. It begins with an intake survey to understand your delegation habits, work style, and goals. This is followed by a 90-minute onboarding call where we'll create a personalized action plan.
Clients will then be matched with their Executive Assistant (EA). All clients will participate in a kick-off call with their EA and complete Delegation Foundations training. In total, you'll spend between 2-5 hours with our team as you prepare to officially launch your partnership.
Clients will then be matched with their Executive Assistant (EA). All clients will participate in a kick-off call with their EA and complete Delegation Foundations training. In total, you'll spend between 2-5 hours with our team as you prepare to officially launch your partnership.
What is the typical lead time for working with an EA?
Once you sign your membership agreement, the full onboarding process typically takes 2-3 weeks. During times of high demand, it can occasionally take longer, but we’ll set clear expectations during your initial sales calls so you know what to expect.
About your Executive Assistant
How does working with Athena differ from a virtual assistant or a traditional staffing company?
Unlike virtual assistants and traditional staffing agencies, Athena partnerships provide security, training infrastructure, and long-term tenure. A traditional executive assistant is narrow in scope. While an EA does tasks, an Athena EA integrates themselves into the full scope of your life to transform the way you work and live.
Why should I hire an Athena EA instead of hiring an EA on my own?
Hiring your own executive assistant is high-risk, time-consuming, costly, and results in shorter tenures. Athena does the work for you. We start with the top 1% of applicants, perform thorough background and reference checks, and provide in-person training and ongoing education. Every Executive Assistant (EA) has a personal manager and an extensive network of peers they can rely on to answer their questions. And to take additional work off your plate, your EA is employed through Athena and we handle payroll, benefits, compliance, and data security.
How does Athena select EAs?
We receive nearly 1000 applications daily, of which only 0.5% are accepted. Every EA undergoes our rigorous vetting and evaluation process. We screen each candidate for soft skills and aptitude. Before becoming eligible to be partnered with you, they must take personality, cognitive, and English tests and undergo immersive training on real-world tasks, including calendar, travel, and inbox management.
Can my EA support both my professional and personal life?
Yes. Your Athena EA can assist you personally, professionally, and in all the moments where the two overlap.
Does my EA work with any other clients?
No, your EA works with you and no one else. After thousands of partnerships, we’ve determined that a one-to-one relationship is the most effective and yields the strongest results for both members and EAs.
Can I share my EA with my executive team and/or business partner?
No. Athena offers one-to-one, dedicated partnerships. Your EA will occasionally support colleagues and loved ones (organizing a team offsite or family trip), but you are their one-and-only delegator. We do not allow sharing because your Athena Executive Assistant is unlike any other direct report—their primary focus is to help you achieve your goals.
What time zone does my EA work in?
Athena EAs are located overseas but work on a schedule determined by your needs. Most members choose to have their EAs work in their time zones, but you may also choose to work asynchronously.
What happens if I go on vacation or take time off? What does my EA do?
Your EA will continue supporting your needs during your absence. If their support is not required, they may take paid time off while you are away.
How does Athena ensure continuity if my EA is unavailable (sick, leave, etc.)?
We ensure continuity of support by assigning you a temporary EA to handle your top-priority tasks whenever your permanent EA is on leave.
What happens if the partnership with my EA isn’t working out?
Rarely, a partnership doesn't work out. If this happens, your Partnership Manager will address any concerns or performance issues and work to resolve them. We will partner you with a different Athena EA if things don't improve.
How we train and support your EA
What training does Athena provide my EA?
Your EA undergoes extensive training, including on-site classroom work, apprenticeship, and shadow sessions with Athena leaders and high-performing, experienced EAs. This foundation is reinforced with ongoing, one-to-one mentorship from their manager and continuing education to advance their skill sets.
How does Athena train EAs to use AI tools effectively?
We train every EA to use AI to enhance their work — not as a shortcut, but as a way to work smarter. EAs are provided with an Enterprise ChatGPT license and receive guided training on how and when to incorporate AI into their tasks to boost efficiency while maintaining high standards. They also stay up-to-date with continued education, tool updates, and real-world practice, so they know how to integrate AI with sound judgment.
How does Athena ensure a balance between human judgment and AI assistance?
At Athena, we see AI as a partner, not a replacement. We teach EAs to use AI for speed and automation, but to always layer in human expertise for context, decision-making, and relationship building. This balanced approach ensures your EA is efficient and effective but delivers work with a human touch.
Can an EA be trained on my company’s specific tools and systems?
Absolutely. While our core training ensures every EA is proficient in the most commonly used stack of tools, they're fully prepared to learn your unique systems and workflow to integrate into your operations. We suggest you allow for a brief ramp-up period for any tools or processes that are particularly specialized or new.
How does my EA receive payment?
Your EA is employed and paid by Athena. They also receive health insurance, pet insurance (one of our most popular benefits), social perks, and mental health support.
What benefits does my EA receive?
Athena offers the following to every EA:
- Continuous training and programs for upskilling
- Best-in-class Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) for the EA and their family
- Pet Reimbursement Program
- Established communication channels to share things they've learned, exchange best practices, and celebrate achievements
- Mental health support
Does my EA receive PTO, and how does the process work?
By contract, your EA is entitled to 20 days of paid time off per year (used for holidays, personal events, etc.). They will seek approval from Athena first. This process is in place because each type of leave has corresponding qualifications, conditions, and limitations. If Athena approves the PTO, your EA will then request your approval. If they need longer extended leave, your Partnership Manager will coordinate the necessary training, shadow sessions, and meetings to ensure your life-work flow isn't disrupted.
Working with your Executive Assistant
How can my EA help me?
Our onboarding is designed to focus your attention, optimize your time, and manage your energy. Over time, your EA will learn to take on more and more of the administrative and operational tasks on your plate, and to serve as an extension of you.
These are just a few examples of how your EA can help:
- Organizing, drafting and helping to manage your email inbox
- Owning your calendar and scheduling
- Travel planning, booking and coordination
- Personal and professional research
- Submitting and tracking invoices
- Meeting notes and follow-ups
Are there best practices for setting up my EA’s work schedule?
We recommend a fixed working schedule with daily overlap between you and your EA, especially at the beginning of the partnership. Many EAs start one hour before their client to complete inbox sweeps and brief them at the top of the day. As the partnership evolves, you can shift to whatever schedule works best for you and your EA.
How many hours a week does my EA work?
Every Athena EA works 40 hours per week (five business days) with two consecutive days off. You can discuss your preferences with your EA.
What happens if my EA works more than 40 hours some weeks?
Some weeks will be busier than others, but if your EA consistently works more than 40 hours a week, we recommend bringing on an additional Athena EA.
How do I provide feedback on my EA’s performance?
Our most successful partnerships provide real-time, direct feedback on a daily basis. During onboarding, we'll check in regularly, facilitate feedback sessions to get you up and running, and send out regular surveys to make sure your partnership is progressing.
What if I ask my EA to do something they can’t do?
If a request falls outside your EA’s scope, they’ll let you know right away. If it’s something your EA can develop the capability to support, your Partnership Manager will help define a path for your EA to take it on. If it’s not something we can cover, your EA will connect you with the right service partner or solution to get it done.
Your privacy and security
What measures are in place to ensure security, privacy, and confidentiality?
We take security, privacy, and confidentiality very seriously. Every EA undergoes a comprehensive third-party background check, with character references verified and previous employers contacted. Security and privacy rules are reviewed regularly during and after training to ensure your EA is compliant with all precautions. Information Security Awareness Training is required annually for all employees.
Learn more about our Security Measures:
https://www.athena.com/security
Learn more about our Security Measures:
https://www.athena.com/security
Can I require my Executive Assistant (EA) to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA)?
Yes, your EA can sign a company NDA. Your EA also signs a contract with Athena that covers client confidentiality.
What device does my Executive Assistant (EA) use?
Every EA receives an Athena-issued MacBook at the start of a partnership. They are not permitted to use personal devices.
What tools are provided to my Executive Assistant (EA)?
Athena provides every EA with a MacBook, NordVPN, and a Zoom account.
How do you keep my Executive Assistant’s device secure?
Mobile Device Management software is installed on every EA’s laptop. It enforces security measures such as hard drive encryption, strong password setting, regular password updates, device lockouts, OS updates, location tracking, and more.
How does Athena protect employee devices?
We use a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution deployed on all company-provided laptops to enforce security policies and ensure consistent configuration.
This includes:
- Full disk encryption: Devices are encrypted to maintain data integrity and confidentiality.
- Software updates: All devices are regularly patched or updated to protect against vulnerabilities.
- Remote data wipe: In case of theft or loss, we can remotely erase data to prevent unauthorized access.
- Password complexity: We enforce strong password requirements to keep devices secure.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): Applied across all company systems and applications to ensure only authorized individuals can access sensitive information.
Can my EA make international phone calls for tasks like booking international hotels, following up on a refund etc.?
Yes, we provide your EA with a US phone number through Zoom.
What endpoint protection does Athena use?
We deploy an Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solution to enhance threat detection and response capabilities. This provides real-time protection against malware and other threats on employee devices.
What information security policies does Athena follow?
Athena follows and regularly updates comprehensive information security policies to meet industry standards. We also ensure our protocols align with client policies and comply with all relevant data protection laws. These policies cover confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our information systems.
How does Athena train its team on security?
Athena has an Information Security Awareness Program that all employees must participate in.
Through this program we:
- Educate our team on the latest security practices and threats.
- Encourage quick reporting of any suspicious activity or incidents.
- Train employees to recognize and respond to phishing and other social engineering attacks.
What future initiatives is Athena planning to enhance cybersecurity?
We are pursuing our SOC 2 Type II attestation through Q4 2025, and our ISO 27001 in 2026.
Billing and payment
How are clients billed?
Fees are due monhtly.
What payment methods are accepted?
We accept credit cards or ACH.
Referral program
Does Athena have a referral program?
Yes. Every Athena member is automatically enrolled in our referral program, which offers some of the strongest incentives in the industry for both you and your referrals. The specific rewards change periodically, and they’re always designed to offer true value to you, your referrals and your EA.
How do I refer someone?
You’ll receive a unique referral link and custom landing page to share. Anyone who joins Athena through your link will be credited to you, activating your reward and your referral’s discount.
What do I receive for a successful referral?
When someone joins through your link, they’ll receive a discount on their membership. You’ll receive a cash reward, and your EA will also receive a bonus. On top of that, Athena often adds special perks, such as gifts or event access, as bonuses.
What does the person I referred receive?
When you work with Athena as a client, you receive a dedicated, full-time Executive Assistant (EA). Athena manages recruiting, training, ongoing support, and infrastructure so you can confidently delegate both professional and personal work.
What does my EA receive when I refer someone?
Your EA earns a $500 bonus for every successful referral you make.
Who should I refer?
Anyone in your network – friends, colleagues, family, or your broader audience. Athena members span every industry, and our EAs adapt to any field, so you can confidently refer anyone who would benefit from more time and leverage.