Wear Your Cape to Work™
Wear Your Cape to Work is a podcast hosted by Project Insight. We believe that project and program managers truly are the superheroes of every organization.
Our guests have poured their lives and talents into driving successful project outcomes for industries across the world. They wear their capes to work every day, and we want to celebrate them. We want you to hear their stories and be inspired to wear your own cape to work.
You won't want to miss any of our exciting conversations with PMPs from companies like fairlife, Universal Studios, Activision Blizzard King, PayPal and more.
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Wear Your Cape to Work™
Managing Global Aid Projects
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Wear Your Cape to Work, we dive into the world of international development project management with Lucas King of DAI, a leading USAID contractor. Lucas shares what it’s like managing global development projects where the stakes are high, but the rewards are even higher. And then throw in giant pivots of uncertainty from the recent DOGE cuts to USAID project budgets...you need a real superhero to keep the plates spinning.
We explore how project management in the international development sector differs from corporate environments — from navigating donor requirements and political shifts to empowering local communities and building sustainable impact. Lucas’s project management "superpowers" shine through: his ability to stay calm under pressure, bridge gaps between diverse stakeholders, and build trust across cultures.
If you’re curious about careers in global project management, managing USAID-funded initiatives, or what it takes to thrive in the dynamic world of development work, this episode offers a real-world look inside.
00:00 – Introduction and kickoff
00:35 – Meet Lucas King: Journey to international project management at DAI
01:30 – How Lucas launched his career managing development projects around the world
03:10 – How project management for international development differs from corporate PM work
05:05 – Core skills for success: adaptability, relationship-building, navigating uncertainty
07:00 – Lucas’s project management "superpowers":
- Remaining calm in high-stakes environments
- Translating between field teams, technical experts, and donors
- Building collaboration across countries and cultures
09:15 – Inside USAID project management: Managing funding, compliance, and mission-driven goals
12:00 – How politics, local dynamics, and sustainability impact project delivery
14:20 – Advice for project managers considering careers in global development
16:00 – Final reflections: Why working in international development is both challenging and deeply rewarding
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