The Foreign Service Journal, September 2013

76 SEPTEMBER 2013 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS During Mikkela Thompson’s first overseas assignment as an O ce Management Specialist, she set about to “make Embassy Dhaka so well run, so luminescent with positive atmosphere, that bidders will vie to get posted here,” declares her nomina- tion for a Delavan Award. “And in doing so, changed the mission.” Mikkela embodies the true essence of a selfless OMS, dedicated to improving morale, the workplace and the lives of everyone around her. She believes that a mis- sion filled with happy people makes the Foreign Service more effective. It is clear that Mikkela focused on the word “service” when she chose a Foreign Service career. Many people find it dif- ficult to adjust to Dhaka, but Mikkela jumped in— smile-first—to explore life in Bangladesh. Within a month, she had organized a weekly restaurant group, which has tried more than 100 restau- rants. Mikkela’s blog (M’s Adventures, madventures. me/author/mikkela/) about all things Dhaka is a popular resource and attracts bidders to post. “I designed and launched “Star of the Mission” and “Section of the Month” programs to help the ambas- sador recognize performance Mikkela Thompson Redefines the Word “Service” AFSA EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE AWARDS : THE NELSON B . DELAVAN AWARD FOR A FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST and inject fun and commu- nity building into the mis- sion,” Mikkela explains. “The program offers neither cash nor certificates; instead, the ‘Star’ is allowed to pick the next ‘Star,’ and display a trav- eling trophy. It has become the embassy’s most popular award program.” A colleague of Mikkela’s, Monsur Elahi, summed up her popularity with the locally engaged staff when he chose her as the star. “I chose Mikkela in recognition of her exceptional service and com- mitment to excellence,” he said. “No matter how di cult a day she may be having, she always manages her work with the greatest smile for all to see. “I love my job,” Mikkela declares. “Every day when I come to work, when I am out exploring and certainly when I’m volunteering at a slum school, I say a silent thank- you to the Foreign Service for bringing me to Dhaka.” By her very nature, Mikkela simply cannot idly stand by as a colleague struggles—whether with an overwhelming workload or a complicated computer appli- cation—without offering to help, regardless of rank, the ambassador, a family mem- ber or the janitor. From Mik- kela’s perspective, “I am only able to do my job because of my colleagues, American and Bangladeshi. We have a great team in Dhaka.” In Ambassador Dan Moze- na’s words: “Mikkela defines the platinum standard for ‘service” in the Foreign Ser- vice. She is my close partner as I endeavor to boost and sustain morale in this most di cult living and working environment. Simply put, Mikkela exemplifies the best of the Foreign Service.” n NOMI NATE SOMEONE FOR AN AFSA AWARD NOW! GO TO WWW. AFSA .ORG/AWARDS TO SUBMI T YOUR NOMI NAT I ON ONL I NE . DEADL I NE I S FEB . 28 , 20 1 4 Mikkela Thompson is presented the Nelson B. Delavan Award by Amb. William Harrop for her extraordinary performance as Office Management Specialist in Dhaka.