NGOs & Donor-Funded Programs in Complex Environments

Peru’s Congress removed President Dina Boluarte early Friday morning with 121 votes, citing “permanent moral incapacity” to address organized crime. This marks Peru’s third president since 2022. The same Congress that removed Pedro Castillo has now removed his successor. As someone who has facilitated thousands of cross-border transactions across Latin…

Every experienced leader eventually faces it: a missed signal during due diligence that later becomes a liability. Sometimes it’s a concealed relationship. Sometimes it’s a partner with undisclosed debt, a founder with political baggage, or a “compliant” supplier that turns out to be an operational risk. Whatever the oversight, what…

When a threat surfaces—whether personal, political, or operational—team leaders on the ground often absorb the initial shock. Their instinct is to alert headquarters, seek cover, or step back entirely. But premature escalation can trigger an overreaction from donors, executives, or boards. The result is a double crisis: a rattled team…

In complex operating environments, compliance can become a performance. Financial reports are submitted on time. Procurement procedures are formally documented. Spending appears aligned with approved budgets. And yet—funds go missing, services fall short, and outcomes deteriorate. When donor rules are followed but money is still misused, the problem is not…

Surprise visits are one of the few tools leaders can use to cut through polished updates, staged reporting, and unchallenged routines. But the objective is often misunderstood. These visits are not meant to expose individuals or punish teams. Their purpose is to reassert expectations, reestablish accountability, and observe what happens…

Realizing that a local partner may be involved in illicit financial flows is one of the most difficult positions a project lead, donor, or investor can face. The relationship is often established. Money has already moved. Public alignment may exist. But once the red flags are confirmed—or even strongly suspected—inaction…

Not every business is what it claims to be. Behind storefronts, digital platforms, or community ventures, some entities exist primarily to transfer, obscure, or clean money for other actors. These businesses are operational in form but hollow in function—designed less to sell a product or service and more to facilitate…

When a project becomes reputationally, politically, or ethically compromised, leadership faces a critical decision: stay, fix, or exit. In fragile markets, even the appearance of contamination—from allegations, internal misconduct, or partner exposure—can be destabilizing. If left unmanaged, it spreads beyond the project itself, infecting donor confidence, staff morale, and organizational…

Unauthorized redirection of client funds is not just a breach of protocol. It’s a threat to the credibility of your operation. Whether the act was malicious, opportunistic, or a result of unclear systems, your response must prioritize containment, trust repair, and legal exposure management. Especially in fragile or cross-border environments,…

Auditors play a central role in safeguarding institutional integrity. But when red flags arise—particularly in high-risk or opaque jurisdictions—some auditors look the other way. Whether due to distance, pressure, or deference, ignoring warning signs isn’t just a professional lapse. It’s a systemic failure that enables fraud, exposes investors, and leaves…

In complex or fragmented markets, local campaigns often get greenlit based on urgency or proximity, not evidence. Billboards go up. Radio ads run. Local agencies report “good engagement.” But actual demand doesn’t materialize. Whether you are funding a program, investing in a startup, or backing an advocacy initiative, knowing whether…

Founders often appear steady during early-stage growth. But when real crisis hits—whether legal, operational, or reputational—the pressure exposes new fault lines. Panic sets in quickly. Public silence gives way to frantic outreach. Decisions start stacking without coordination. In fragile environments or donor-facing operations, this isn’t just disruptive. It’s dangerous. Stakeholders…