Gloria Luana Cool

Zurich, Switzerland

Expert Program Manager in international cooperative threat reduction with 10 years of experience in government, the private sector, and think tanks. Skilled in nuclear nonproliferation and the nuclear energy industry, including partnership development, policy formation, regulatory and legislative frameworks. Excels in managing programs from idea to implementation.

Contact Gloria Luana Cool
Area of Expertise:
  • Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
  • Fundraising, Business Development, Grants Writer
  • Government, Governance, Reforms
  • Private Sector, Social Enterprise, Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Trade, Finance, Economics, Cooperation, Global
Professional Experience:

I am a Program Manager with over a decade of experience leading high-impact, cross-functional programs in defense, diplomacy, and international development. My expertise spans compliance operations, audit readiness, risk assessment, and stakeholder engagement, with a proven record of delivering measurable results in complex, fast-paced environments.

My career includes extensive work with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Department of State, where I managed multimillion-dollar programs that advanced U.S. security and diplomatic priorities. At the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), I served as International Program Manager for the Biological Threat Reduction Program, acting as delegation lead and principal decision-maker for U.S. foreign policy initiatives. I negotiated with minister-level counterparts across Europe, Africa, and Asia, advised senior military leadership, and ensured full audit compliance through rigorous budget oversight, risk assessments, and the design of effective controls.

At the U.S. Department of State, I directed operational strategies for the Afghan Relocations Efforts (CARE), coordinating cross-continental processing centers and standardizing compliance workflows in collaboration with interagency and defense teams. Earlier, as International Relations Manager at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I managed technical capacity-building programs, prepared high-level briefings, and deepened U.S. engagement with international regulators and policymakers.

I excel at fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders—from C-level executives to defense leaders and senior diplomats—translating technical and policy requirements into actionable strategies. Thriving in ambiguous environments, I build governance frameworks that withstand audit scrutiny and strengthen operational resilience.

Since relocating to Zürich, Switzerland in 2024, I have been focused on advancing my professional development by learning German and earning my PMP certification. I am eager to apply my program management expertise, international experience, and passion for mission-driven work to global-scale challenges.

Education:

Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies and Economics, focused on strategic studies (national security), nuclear strategy, and economics from The Johns Hopkins University - Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

Available for:

  • Consulting assignments
  • Job opportunities
  • Being headhunted – make me an offer

Years of Experience:

10-15 years

Highest Qualification:

Masters

Languages:

English, Spanish, Romanian, German

Nationality:

Romania , United States

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