Changing the World - Booz Allen Hamilton

embracing
diversity a culture where everyone’s
perspective is valued
Booz Allen Hamilton believes that
an environment that fosters respect,
inclusion, and opportunity for all
employees results in the delivery of
stronger solutions to clients.
The firm launched the Board
Diversity Initiative in 2003, setting
benchmarks for embedding
diversity throughout Booz Allen.
The firm’s corporate training and
mentoring opportunities, diversity
awards program, and partnerships
with community- and minoritybased
organizations only reinforce
the more than a dozen employee forums,
including the African American
Forum, the Armed Services
Forum, the Disability Forum, and
the Parents Forum, among others,
in which employees have a voice.
Senior Associate Cheryl Johnson,
one of 15 Booz Allen employees who received
a 2009 Women of Color Technology Award
One of the firm’s oldest employee
forums is GLOBE (supporting gay,
lesbian, bisexual, and transgender
staff ), which celebrated its 10th anniversary
in November 2009 with
a gala; it has grown into an organization
with 11 chapters in offices
across the country.
“Because we have a welcoming environment,
it allows us to attract people
who will strengthen our team,”
Chairman and CEO Ralph Shrader
told the GLOBE gala. “It allows us
to build a stronger family. It allows
us to have a better Booz Allen.”
Workplace recognition
One of many accolades (see page
45) that Booz Allen received over
the year for its commitment to
diversity was the firm’s inclusion—
for the 11th consecutive year—on
Working Mother’s list of best places
to work.
The accomplishments of 15 Booz
Allen women also earned them individual
Women of Color Technology
Awards, and the Society of Women
Engineers recognized a Booz Allen
man, Executive Vice President Neil
Gillespie, for his advocacy in placing
women in leadership positions
throughout the firm.
Such third-party validation is rewarding,
but it’s not a surprise:
Booz Allen has continually built on
its commitment to the development
and promotion of women of all
backgrounds.
A supportive environment
Today, the firm is reinforcing that
commitment through its Women’s
Agenda, established in the fall of
2008, Women’s Forum, and other
programs. In 2009, the Women’s
Agenda team conducted a firmwide
survey as the first step in providing
a systematic approach for the
ongoing advancement of women at
the firm. In part as a result of the
survey, new mentoring and development
programs are playing an
increasing role at Booz Allen.
Senior Vice President Susan Penfield,
who co-leads the Women’s
Agenda with Senior Vice President
Betty Thompson, says, “We
fundamentally believe in bringing
diverse skill sets and experiences to
help solve our clients’ challenges—
and in sustaining an environment
in which women and all diverse
populations can succeed.”
2009 annual report | changing the world 47