Changing the World - Booz Allen Hamilton

Parwana Ashari /
Realizing Her
Lifelong Dream
> “I always felt the need to pursue something
bigger than myself, something that could
benefit other people, and I felt science was the
best way to achieve that goal,” says Parwana
Ashari, a senior consultant in Rockville, Maryland.
Today, with undergraduate and graduate degrees
in neuroscience, molecular biology, and biochemistry,
Ashari is satisfying her long-held dream of
becoming a scientist. At Booz Allen, she applies her
scientific expertise to help healthcare clients with
intricate scientific challenges. Currently supporting
a US Food and Drug Administration project, Ashari
has worked on studies of drug safety and efficacy,
as well as risk evaluation and mitigation strategies.
Ashari—as a mentor and role model to young
people in the local Afghan community—also
gives of herself outside the office. Born in Kabul,
Afghanistan, Ashari moved to the United States
with her parents when she was 2 years old and
knows firsthand about the challenges that young,
first-generation Afghan-Americans face. “They want
to adopt the American lifestyle, but their parents
and grandparents don’t always understand,” Ashari
says. “I try to help the teens I mentor to incorporate
the positive aspects of both cultures.”
With an active professional and personal life, Ashari
appreciates the firm’s commitment to employees.
“Booz Allen has a deep concern for the well-being
of its employees,” she says.
14,430
employees took advantage of
Booz Allen’s internal education
and training courses in 2009
2009 annual report | changing the world 57