SUMMER TUCKER

• Title: Supervisory Executive Officer
• Business Advisor & Relationship Management: Advised senior officials on appropriate responses to urgent situations that required immediate action by the State Department. Maintained contacts with members of local communities in order to gain insight into their culture, customs, and values.
• Strategic Leadership & Oversight: Directed a team of 12 to support 8 offices, 148 staff, and 5 provincial satellite offices throughout Zambia. Oversaw all Executive Office (EXO) functions, including Human Resources, Procurement, Travel, IT, Space Management, Communications, and Records Management.
• HR Innovation: Led USAID/Zambia to be one of the first Missions in Africa to implement Merit-Based Compensation (MBC). Trained 130 staff, launched the GoMBC app, and achieved 100% early compliance. Mentored Foreign Service National Supervisory HR Specialist, now a recognized global expert.
• Empowering Local Talent: Spearheaded fellowship programs to enhance professional development—supported 15 outbound, hosted 13 inbound, and onboarded an Afghan staff member after the US withdrawal, aligning with Agency empowerment and inclusion goals.
• Crisis Leadership – USAID/Southern Africa Coverage: Provided critical Contracting Officer support and HR mentorship to USAID/Southern Africa during a staffing crisis while simultaneously expanding the USAID/Zambia team.
• DEIA Integration: Embedded DEIA into hiring and onboarding processes. Removed unnecessary degree requirements, launched a cultural sponsorship initiative, and expanded outreach to underrepresented groups—resulting in measurable gains in workplace inclusivity.
• Space & Facilities Solutions: Championed telework policy for local staff post-COVID, negotiated a commercial lease under complex security parameters, and led long-term facilities expansion efforts, including an Interagency Annex request and Embassy renovation planning.
• Workforce Planning & Analytics: Co-developed a 5-year workforce plan with the Mission Director, Program Officer and Controller to support temporary duty staff and surge hiring. Introduced a Recruitment Tracker, annual Portfolio Review, and data-informed service standards to improve transparency, accountability and decision-making.
• Mission Representation: Represented USAID on multiple US Embassy committees including US Diplomat Housing, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (DEIA), COVID-19 Management, and Occupational Safety & Health Appeals, strengthening interagency coordination and policy alignment.
• Entrepreneurial Support: Advised a women’s entrepreneurship group at the request of the U.S. Ambassador. Facilitated mentorship and training, resulting in a 40% increase in network size and technical capability.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborated with other government agencies and non-governmental organizations on global initiatives aimed at improving human rights conditions worldwide. Represented the U.S. abroad at various conferences and meetings with foreign dignitaries.

Title: Regional Executive Officer.

• Global Operations: Oversaw business operations for five countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, and Eswatini. Developed SOPs and policies, and improved efficiency across human resources, information technology, procurement, travel, training, and communications.
• Training & Professional Growth: Restructured the South Africa Regional Training Center, converting the manager role to a local hire to reduce costs and empower local staff leadership. Led marketing and survey redesign, boosting regional training engagement. Increased training enrollment by 40%.
• Strategic Communications: Created and launched a Regional Platform Intranet, enhancing information sharing, data visualization, calendar integration, and weekly leadership updates. I earned a U.S. Embassy award for innovation.
• Performance Coaching: Designed and implemented a locally employed, staff-led New Employee Orientation and Mentorship Program, including a Gallery Walk showcasing development interventions, and an Office Meet & Greet to foster engagement.
• Environmental Stewardship: Led a successful 'Green Campaign' to reduce single-use plastics and Styrofoam with reusable and compostable materials in the cafeteria, reducing waste, and modeling environmental leadership.

• Peak Performance: Oversaw the full spectrum of operations in both countries, including HR, procurement, IT, facilities, and strategic planning.
• Diplomatic Leadership & Protocol: Played a lead role in high-profile diplomatic visits including Secretary of State and Second Lady.
• Event Management: Co-hosted a national Legacy Gala in Suriname, featuring live exhibitions and multimedia displays, highlighting 16 years of Peace Corps contributions.
• Global Partnerships: Introduced the first Peace Corps-UNICEF partnership in Suriname, and launched the first strategic communications plan for Peace Corps Guatemala.
• Strategic Planning: Led budget development, informed by economic analysis, market basket surveys, and historical data. Resolved a decade-long staff compensation issue.

• International Partnerships: Led a team to develop the financial model, organizational and governance structures of a new Joint Institute between University of Michigan and Peking University. Managed remote team of 8 in Beijing, China at the Joint Institute.
• Financial Stewardship: Advised the Director on development efforts. Managed all endowments and gifts of over 8 million USD.
• Leadership: Supervised a staff of six. Managed all aspects of personnel including interviewing, hiring, payroll, training, and evaluation of staff. Administered grant and research awards including faculty research fellowships, instructional seed grants and student funding.
• Cultural Competence: Represented the Center for Chinese Studies to other administrators and outside agencies. Regularly hosted Chinese delegations and scheduled American institutes of higher education training modules to introduce the US system.
• Clean Energy Advocate: Developed initiative to advocate for the adoption of more energy efficient policies and practices at the UM International Institute and pilot a green event program for all area studies centers.