Overview

Behind every American flag flown overseas lies a story of leadership, risk, and hard-earned lessons. This compelling book blends personal memoir with professional insight, delivering a powerful, boots-on-the-ground perspective on global project management through the lens of a seasoned former USAID Foreign Service Officer. With nearly two decades of service across conflict zones, fragile states, and politically complex environments, from Somalia and Central Asia to Georgia and Ghana, the author reveals the real-world challenges of delivering impactful projects, managing diverse teams, and navigating the intricate web of diplomacy and project delivery. More than a memoir, this is a practical guide rooted in the globally recognized Project Management Institute (PMI) framework. Each chapter bridges lived experience with core project management principles, planning, execution, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and adaptive leadership, providing a clear roadmap for effective project management in high-stakes settings. Designed for federal professionals, project managers, and students of international affairs, Beneath the Flag offers both inspiration and actionable tools for those who seek to lead with purpose and deliver results that matter. Whether you are stepping into your first field assignment or managing complex initiatives from headquarters, this book stands at the vital intersection of diplomacy, development, and disciplined project leadership.

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Monika A. Gorzelanska is a seasoned former diplomat and program and operations management leader with nearly two decades of experience driving U.S. government diplomatic and development initiatives across eight countries on three continents. Originally from Poland, she served as a Foreign Service Officer with USAID, where she mostly held senior roles including several Program Management Office Director and de facto Chief of Staff, leading multicultural, multifunctional teams and managing complex, multimillion-dollar programs in challenging environments such as Ukraine, Georgia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, and Somalia. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP(R)), Monika is passionate about turning strategy into impact through disciplined planning, adaptive leadership, and strong stakeholder engagement. She believes that effective project and team management, rooted in accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning, is essential to delivering sustainable development results. Monika holds a Master of Science in Peace Operations from George Mason University and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Lódź, Poland.

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