An international NGO’s mobile health project in Africa was suddenly threatened by political unrest and growing violence in the surrounding environment. The team — consisting three medical professionals — needed rapid evacuation. Commercial flights were suspended, ground movement was risky, and local partners struggled to manage the situation. Headquarters needed a trusted person on the ground to coordinate the safety of staff and secure handover of assets.

Approach:

Upon learning of the situation, I traveled to the region on short notice and established direct contact with both the NGO’s headquarters and local partners. My priorities were to stabilize the situation, plan multiple evacuation routes, and secure project materials.

Actions Taken:

• > Built and implemented a flexible evacuation plan with contingency options.
• > Coordinated directly with local authorities, international consular staff, and reliable local contacts to obtain movement permissions and safe passage.
• > Oversaw the secure handover of sensitive equipment and medical records to trusted local partners, ensuring project continuity.
• > Provided regular situation updates to the NGO’s leadership and served as the single point of contact for all logistical and safety matters.
• > Personally accompanied the team to the agreed extraction point, handled border formalities, and arranged onward travel to a neighboring safe country.

Result:

All staff were evacuated safely within 72 hours. Project materials were transferred securely, ensuring local health services could continue with minimal disruption. My presence on site provided reassurance to both the team and headquarters, maintained clear communication, and allowed the NGO to manage the crisis with confidence.

A major telecommunications provider faced an unexpected network outage in Eastern Europe after a remote antenna site was damaged by severe weather. The company’s local contractors were unable to access the site due to flooded roads, and critical communications infrastructure for local businesses and emergency services was offline.

Approach:

After being contacted by the company’s central operations team, I traveled immediately to the region, bringing essential repair parts and equipment sourced locally and internationally. My focus was on rapid restoration of the site and ongoing communication with the client’s network management center.

Actions Taken:

• > Coordinated with local authorities to secure special travel permissions for access despite severe weather and roadblocks.
• > Procured and transported replacement components directly to the antenna location.
• > Supervised and assisted local technicians with repairs, ensuring adherence to strict safety and operational protocols.
• > Maintained direct communication with the company’s technical management, providing real-time updates on progress and challenges.
• > Verified and documented the successful reactivation of the network infrastructure before departing the site.

Result:

The network was restored to full operation within 36 hours of the outage, minimizing service disruption for both customers and emergency responders. The company’s operations team valued the personal, on-site involvement and the ability to resolve complex logistical and technical issues quickly, even under adverse conditions.

A European engineering firm was running a complex infrastructure project in a remote region of Asia. After unexpected staff changes and logistical setbacks, the on-site team lost clear leadership and struggled to coordinate daily operations. Communication with headquarters became inconsistent, critical milestones slipped, and morale among staff and local partners was declining.

Approach:

At the request of company leadership, I traveled to the project location to assess the situation and provide immediate, on-site direction. My objective was to restore structure, reestablish communications, and get the project moving forward again.

Actions Taken:

• > Met with all team members, identified key issues, and clarified immediate priorities.
• > Set up regular communication routines between the project site and headquarters to ensure alignment and transparency.
• > Facilitated meetings with local partners and authorities to resolve outstanding logistical and regulatory obstacles.
• > Developed and implemented a short-term operational plan with clear roles, timelines, and contingency measures.
• > Provided ongoing coaching and guidance to the project staff, rebuilding trust and morale.
• > Monitored progress and ensured that critical project tasks were resumed without further delay.

Result:

Within one week, project operations were back on track, with clear lines of communication and renewed focus among the team. Headquarters regained confidence in the site’s ability to deliver, and local partners reported improved coordination. My hands-on presence helped the company avoid further delays and positioned the project for successful completion.