My Decision Making Process:
“Analysis and projection of the simultaneous and multi-dimensional games of chess in any business, political, social, or other relationship.”
David P. Michaels
INTRODUCTION by David P. Michaels
Professor Sir Alan Walters, former personal economic advisor to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and credited with being an architect of the 1980’s renaissance of the economy of the United Kingdom, honored me, not only with his friendship, but also with his sound advice over many years. In particular, he encouraged me to state what I thought about certain economic and financial sector issues, notwithstanding that some of my statements were considered contrarian and others, confrontational. Alan always said, “You must have the courage of your convictions even if it subjects you to unpopularity in certain sectors … and more so when you are proven correct.”
David P. Michaels brings more than four decades of experience as a personal advisor and mentor to Heads of State, Chairmen, Presidents, and CEOs of major international organizations. He has served as a consultant to leading private sector corporations, governmental bodies, and political leaders on matters spanning business, economic and political restructuring, strategic problem resolution, and the associated financial negotiations.
Known for his divergent approach to problem-solving and his ability to distill highly complex issues into workable solutions, Mr. Michaels has driven critical innovation across business, finance, and economic development. He is notably credited with initiatives that made substantial contributions to sovereign debt restructuring in the late 1980s, and with anticipating the conceptual foundations of both the Brady Plan and the Enterprise for the Americas program. He continues to contribute to policy and strategic planning discourse through commentaries and publications on business and financial development, international debt, trade, and investment.
Mr. Michaels has represented a select portfolio of global brands in the communications, defense, security, and financial sectors, and has advised law enforcement agencies and litigation professionals on matters involving fraud, corruption, and illicit international transactions.
His civic and philanthropic activities span a number of distinguished organizations:
The St. George's Society of New York — America's oldest British charity, founded in 1770, providing support to distressed, elderly, and sick persons of British and Commonwealth descent. Mr. Michaels is a Member and former Chairman of the Society's Honours Committee.
English Speaking Union — Served on the organising committee for the inauguration of The Margaret Thatcher Series of Lectures in the United States.
Uruguayan American Chamber of Commerce in the United States — Chairman Emeritus and Founder, established through a joint initiative with His Excellency Dr. Julio Sanguinetti during his first term as President of the Republic of Uruguay.
Humanity-Without-Borders Foundation — Founder of this educational foundation, built on the principles of Human Beings Being Human™, which serves as a catalyst for conflict resolution and works to defuse racial, religious, and cultural hostilities fueled by political or religious disinformation.
Foreign Press Association — Elected President from 2014 to 2019. Founded in 1918 as the Association of Foreign Correspondents in the United States, the FPA represents members of the foreign media based in the United States.
Mr. Michaels is currently authoring Dust on the Chessboard with Captain Julian J. Mitchell C.B.E., Royal Navy, who served as British Naval Attaché in Argentina and Uruguay from 1980 to 1982. The book offers a fictionalized yet informed account of the role of major global industries in geopolitical affairs between 1977 and 1982, including an alternative perspective on the events that led to the Falklands War.
Outside his professional and civic pursuits, Mr. Michaels enjoys reading across an eclectic range of subjects and playing backgammon.
Clubs: Royal Naval Club & Royal Albert Yacht Club (UK).
[PHOTO: BEN ASEN PHOTOGRAPHY]