The Foreign Service Journal, December 2008

A decade ago, a new law school grad- uate started looking for a job that would allow her to combine her interest in international affairswithher legal experience in labor relations. She found it at AFSA as a labor management attor- ney andhas never lookedback, to the ben- efit of bothAFSA’s staff and itsmembers. Zlatana Badrich is a trueWashington- ian, born and raised in D.C. She gradu- ated from The George Washington University in three years with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and went directly to law school at the Catholic University of America, where she received her J.D. By the time Zlatana finished law school, she knew that shewanted to prac- tice the kind of law that allowed her to be a direct advocate for others. “People of all professions andwalks of life need a voice,” Zlatana asserts, “and becoming an attor- ney was one way for me to use mine in an effort to provide assistance where it’s needed.” Duringher years in school she interned in federal-sector labor and employment law, but her first real jobwas at AFSA. As labormanagement attorney, Zlatana is part of the legal team that provides advice and counsel to theGoverningBoardon awide range of issues. “AFSAnegotiates with the various for- eign affairs agencies on conditions of employment such as the promotion pre- cepts and assignments package,” explains Zlatana. “In addition toworking on these issues for our State Department con- stituency, I alsoworkwith FAS and IBB.” This collective work as part of a team of attorneys takes up about a quarter of Zlatana’s time. She also assists individual members with awide range of issues such as grievances (poor EERs, denial of tenure, failure to be promoted and allowance issues), agency disciplinary actions, secu- rity incidents, security clearance revocation cases, OIG investigations and DS investi- gations, as well as a few EEO issues. Zlatana attributes her longevity at AFSA to her enjoyment of working with people. “Thebest part ofmy job is thepeo- ple —both the colleagues I work with at AFSA and the members with whom we come into daily contact. A large part of the job is to act as a sounding board and counselor to many of our members.” Agrateful FSOwhowas representedby Zlatana in a grievance case described her as “a wonderful professional,” adding, “This particular case would have frustrat- ed themost patient attorney. Zlatana kept pushing away at what appeared to be an immovable rock. In the process she maintained my morale and hope. ... Were she in private practice, I would hire her in a minute!” AFSA General Counsel Sharon Papp agrees. “I have worked with Zlatana for 10 years and fromdayonehavebeengreat- ly impressed with her patience, compas- sion, strong sense of right andwrong, and tireless advocacy on behalf of her clients. She has literally saved countless Foreign Service careers by securing second chances for employees to obtain tenure and pro- motion, by overturning or mitigating severe disciplinary actions, and by secur- ing reinstatement of employees’ security clearances.” Outside of the office, Zlatana’s tastes are eclectic: recently she caught performances of both the Kirov Ballet and the British bandColdplay. Married and living in the District of Columbia, Zlatana enjoys walking and also treasures her time at home, where she can often be found nes- tledwith a book. But at work, it’s all about the people: “It’s very rewarding to be able to support people through some very dif- ficult professional and, sometimes, personal issues in their lives and to feel as though youhelped in some small way. In the same sense, having colleagues withwhomI can have open lines of communication and whose opinions and experience I can rely on and trust is truly a bonus.” As Papp concludes, “AFSA and the Foreign Service are truly fortunate to have Zlatana on our side.” 66 F OR E I GN S E R V I C E J OU R N A L / DE C EMB E R 2 0 0 8 A F S A N E W S “She has literally saved countless Foreign Service careers by securing second chances for employees to obtain tenure and promotion. AFSA and the Foreign Service are truly fortunate to have Zlatana on our side.” — Sharon Papp MILESTONES: HONORING 10 YEARS OF SERVICE TO AFSA Zlatana Badrich: A True Advocate BY FRANCESCA KELLY AFSA NEWS BRIEFS FSN Relief Fund Needs Replenishment The State Department’s Foreign Service National Relief Fund is in need of funds with which to assist all overseas agencies’ Foreign Service Nationals who have suffered losses due to hurricanes and other disasters. FS members may donate by check, credit card or payroll deduction (go to State’s intranet site at web.rm.state.gov for details). FS retirees, FSNs and other locally engaged employees may make check or cash contri- butions. Checks should be sent to: State Department Gift Fund Coordinator Donna Bordley, Department of State, RM/CFO, Room 7427, 2201 C Street NW, Washington DC 20520. CHRISTINE WARREN