About Me

If you’re looking for someone who can bring order to chaos, build a system where there was only a pile of files and emails, you’re in the right place.

For years, I’ve been managing organizational finances comprehensively, strategically, and with a sense of responsibility and nuance.
Budget planning, cost analysis, risk management, cash flow oversight, and data and tool structuring – that’s my everyday reality.
At the same time, I also oversee the finances of both national and international projects, from planning and budgeting, through implementation control, to final reporting and audits in line with funders’ requirements.

I have an analytical mind and an imagination that sees structure before it exists.
I know how to connect the technical with the intuitive. In my work, logic and gut feeling matter equally. I don’t stop at problems. I look for solutions. And I always find them.

Feel free to explore my experience, skills and approach to collaboration.
Perhaps my perspective is the missing piece your team or organization has been looking for.

Since 2019, I have been managing the financial operations of an organization, both on the operational and strategic level.
I am responsible for comprehensive financial planning, budget control, profitability analysis, risk and liquidity management, and cash flow monitoring. I develop financial policies, streamline processes, and implement tools that support transparency, flexibility and efficient fund management, regardless of funding sources.

In my work, I combine the roles of analyst, board advisor and finance team leader.
I create long-term financial strategies, prepare management reports and statements for controlling institutions, oversee salary planning, and maintain relationships with auditors, banks and project partners.

I’m well-versed in the realities of the nonprofit sector and hybrid funding models, but I’m equally at ease working within SMEs, cultural institutions or sole proprietorships. Having run my own business and collaborated on various projects, I understand not only formal and procedural limitations, but also the practical challenges organizations face on a daily basis. I have extensive experience in using national and international grants in a way that is both compliant and genuinely supportive of an institution’s development and day-to-day functioning.

Thanks to years of experience, I know how to maintain a healthy balance between formal compliance and the financial realities of an organization,  regardless of its size, sector or structure.

On a daily basis, I work closely with NGOs and small businesses, especially in contexts where both efficient financial management and strategic perspective are needed. I’m also open to new challenges within public or academic institutions, particularly in roles requiring financial leadership, systemic thinking and the ability to translate complex data into actionable decisions that drive organizational growth.

Key competencies:

– preparing and controlling organizational and project budgets
– managing liquidity and cash flow
– profitability analysis, forecasting and financial risk management
– developing financial strategies and internal policies
– cost optimization and spending efficiency analysis
– ensuring compliance with tax regulations and grant requirements
– working with auditors, banks, public offices and control institutions
– implementing and improving financial management tools
– payroll planning, managing liabilities and receivables
– managing and developing financial teams

For the past 13 years, I’ve been involved in the implementation of nationally and internationally funded projects, primarily from the financial side.
I prepare budgets (both at the proposal stage and during implementation), ensure they comply with programme requirements, and structure them in a way that genuinely supports the organization, filling funding gaps in key strategic areas often neglected in core financing. I monitor budget execution, manage settlements, prepare audit documentation, and support or rescue at-risk projects by finding safe and regulation-compliant ways to justify expenditures that might initially appear problematic.

Although I don’t write grant applications myself, I work closely with program teams, advising on how to describe planned activities in a way that aligns with cost eligibility principles. I know where there is room to safely shift emphasis and how to frame elements so they make both programmatic and financial sense.

I don’t just work with documents and reporting systems, I work with reality. I understand what different donors expect, how they interpret guidelines, where the limits of flexibility lie, and which actions, though formally allowed, may still pose a risk of rejection. I have hands-on experience with various funding systems – I understand their logic, hidden pitfalls, and unwritten rules.

On a daily basis, I navigate procedures from institutions as diverse as the European Commission (e.g. Horizon Europe, LIFE, Interreg, Creative Europe, Erasmus+), EEA and Norway Grants, the Visegrad Fund, American and German governmental agencies (USAID, GIZ/EUKI), the European Climate Foundation, and major Polish institutions such as NCBR, PARP, NIW, NFOŚiGW, ministries, and agencies managing EU funds.

My project experience includes work in the following areas:

– climate policy and energy transition
– economy and socio-economic development
– sustainable transport and urban mobility
– sustainable finance
– education, prevention and local community development
– research and development (R&D)
– civil society, social communication and participation
– culture and the creative sector
– digitization and business innovation
– institutional development and organizational support

I remain open to projects in other fields and am eager to engage in new topics and areas.

Key competencies:

– preparing budgets compliant with national and international programme requirements
– aligning activity and cost descriptions with eligibility criteria
– managing project finances throughout the full lifecycle – from proposal to final reporting
– preparing audit documentation and providing support during external controls
– recovering and restructuring at-risk projects, even in final stages
– monitoring compliance with schedules, indicators, and eligibility rules
– deep knowledge of donor systems, procedures, and expectations (EC, EEA/Norway Grants, USAID, NIW, NCBR, PARP, etc.)
– familiarity with reporting and IT systems used by grant providers
– practical understanding of how to interpret guidelines and avoid common pitfalls.

I’ve always combined creativity with a need for structure.
In my work, I quickly recognize patterns, redundancies, inefficiencies, or gaps and almost instantly see how to simplify, automate, organize, or streamline them.
I bring clarity to chaos. Not for the sake of order itself, but to make teamwork faster, easier, and more intuitive. I design solutions that not only work, but also look good and are user-friendly even for non-technical team members.

I create tools tailored to the real needs of an organization, from budgeting files and dashboards, to information management structures, task automation, and optimization of everyday processes. I make sure that the systems I design allow for easy reporting – both financial and operational – right from the start. My solutions enable teams to retrieve key information instantly, without digging through folders or building additional reports from scratch.

Efficiency is important to me – but so is security. I apply best practices in data protection and access control. I protect files, set role-based visibility, and build logical folder and permission structures to prevent accidental access by unauthorized users.

I’m fluent in tools such as Excel, Google Workspace, Miro, Trello, Asana, Canva, WordPress, and AI-based apps. I learn new systems quickly, understand their internal logic, and know how to implement them in ways that not only boost performance – but also make work more enjoyable.
For me, technology is never the goal. It’s a smart extension of a well-designed process.

Key competencies:

– organizing file structures, workflows and decision flows
– identifying inefficiencies and streamlining daily operations
– building automated and semi-automated tools
– designing clear and visually appealing spreadsheets, dashboards, and planners
– adapting tools to the organization’s work style and team skill level
– configuring collaboration platforms and cloud-based systems
– managing user access and ensuring data protection in cloud environments
– enabling fast data retrieval and building reporting-friendly systems
– implementing new technologies and digital tools
– combining structure and creativity in practical, flexible ways

I hold a degree in English philology with a specialization in translation.

Although I now work in a completely different field, that stage of my development taught me attentiveness to words, meaning, and context – skills that turn out to be surprisingly useful when working with documentation, reporting, and project-related materials. For a time, I also worked as an English language teacher, which strengthened my ability to explain complex content clearly and to adapt the form of communication to the audience.
These same skills now help me make financial and project-related complexities understandable and accessible to everyone involved.

In the following years, I pursued courses in finance, project management, and fundraising, always choosing those that offered practical tools I could apply in my day-to-day work. I completed, among others, accounting courses for independent bookkeepers, trainings in grant financial reporting, and earned the PRINCE2 certification.

I don’t collect certificates for the sake of it. I learn quickly and selectively wherever I see real purpose. I have a natural drive for order and structure, and I translate knowledge into practical solutions that support the daily functioning of entire organizations.

– Problem solving – I quickly identify the root cause, connect seemingly unrelated data points, and propose practical solutions before issues escalate.
– Analytical thinking and systems thinking – I bring order to chaos by building logical and transparent structures; I recognize patterns and dependencies others often miss.
– Team management – I motivate, upskill, and create a work environment built on trust and shared responsibility.
– Strong work ethic and accountability – I act on time and with attention to detail, always driven by a shared purpose.
– Flexibility and adaptability – I easily adjust to new people, tools, and processes – while simultaneously introducing order and structure.
– Calm under pressure – Even in high-stress situations, I stay focused and solution-oriented – especially during crises.
– Communication and meeting facilitation – I translate complex issues (e.g. financial or technical) into clear language – in writing, presentations, and live discussions.
– Office & cloud environments:
  • Microsoft Office 365 (Excel – advanced formulas and dashboards; PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
  • Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Drive, Forms)
  • Canva, Trello, Miro, Asana, Zoom, Teams, Adobe, etc.
– AI and automation – fluent use of tools like ChatGPT and browser extensions that support productivity and smart workflows
– Website creation – functional and visually appealing websites and landing pages built on WordPress
– Data security – access management, cloud file structuring, secure handling of sensitive documents and responsible data practices
– English – fluent command, including confident use of project documentation, reports, contracts and donor tools
– Driving licence – Category B – active driver with experience in both urban and rural traffic

– Creating tools and systems in Excel – streamlining daily operations, automating repetitive tasks, and organizing data
– Psychology and psychiatry – especially in the context of cognitive mechanisms, emotions, and brain function
– Everyday technology – mobile apps and systems that support productivity and information management
– Freshwater aquatics – with a special passion for shrimp and other invertebrates
– Gardening – caring for plants in indoor spaces; growing herbs, vegetables, and mini-ecosystems on a balcony
– Animals – a lifelong presence in my world; today I share my space with a dog, spiders, and an African snail
– Mazury (Masuria) – my sanctuary, a place of calm and balance where I recharge and reconnect with myself
– Art and creativity – singing and writing texts that blend emotion, language, and logic
– I value simple things – walks, cycling and observing the world without rushing

In my work, I rely on analysis – not chance. I care deeply about understanding both financial and interpersonal processes, so I can make informed decisions and build effective solutions.

The CliftonStrengths® assessment helped me name what I’ve been using in practice for years: strategic thinking, the ability to organize chaos, sensitivity to human differences, and a passion for creative problem-solving. It also highlighted areas worth developing, to better harness my strengths and grow as a leader, a collaborator, and a specialist in complex challenges.

1. Strategic

I quickly spot hidden patterns, risks, and opportunities. I analyze scenarios, compare options, and choose the best path forward, especially when things seem complicated. I think several steps ahead without losing sight of the core issue. This allows me to make sound decisions, even with limited data and under time pressure.
A strategic mindset helps me guide teams and projects with clarity, adaptability, and a strong sense of purpose.

2. Arranger

I see how all the pieces fit together. I love optimizing processes, structures, information, resources. I manage multiple threads at once, respond to change, and introduce improvements without creating confusion. This strength translates into practical tools and real solutions. I build systems that not only look good on paper but actually work in real life.

3. Input

I’m endlessly curious and driven to understand how things work, from grant regulations to psychological mechanisms to data tools. I gather knowledge and resources not for the sake of collecting them, but to share and apply them at the right moment. This makes me a valuable source of insight for my team, and helps ensure that my solutions are well-informed and context-aware.

4. Individualization

To me, no two people are alike. I intuitively sense how different talents, needs, and work styles can complement each other. This allows me to build truly collaborative teams, not through rigid procedures, but through mutual understanding. I value each person’s uniqueness and tailor my communication and approach to help others grow into their full potential.

5. Ideation

I think outside the box. I love asking questions, breaking patterns, and connecting ideas that seem unrelated. I believe that the best ideas are born where flexibility and bold thinking are welcome. This strength gives me an edge not only in creative projects, but also in finance. Because even in the most complex budget, there’s always room for innovation.

If you’d like to better understand how I think, work and make decisions, feel free to download my TOP 5 CliftonStrengths® profile.
The full TOP 34 report is available upon request.

Gallup Test TOP5 - PDF

I value loyalty, integrity and responsibility in my work, and I bring these same principles into every collaboration. I honor agreements, meet deadlines, and devote as much attention to each task as needed to get it right, whether I’m working independently or as part of a team.

I’m open to different forms of cooperation: full-time or part-time positions, freelance contracts, one-off support or long-term partnerships. I adapt to the organization’s needs, including working hours, collaboration model, and team role.

I work most efficiently in a remote or hybrid model, ideally with three days of remote work and two days on-site. This setup allows for deep focus, calm analysis and full concentration on the tasks at hand. That said, if the role and working conditions are well-defined and stable, I’m also open to a fully on-site position.

Clear, transparent expectations matter to me. I believe that mutual understanding from the start helps both sides feel safe and respected.

If you have a project or process that needs structure, feel free to get in touch. Maybe I’m the missing piece that will help things move forward.

Beata Etmanowicz