Title: Executive Assistant
Joined Booz Allen: 2003
What type of work do you do at Booz Allen Hamilton?
I provide executive administrative support to vice president Cindy Broyles in the Lexington Park office. We’re aligned with the firm’s Defense team, and in this position, I process information, manage scheduling, and keep all administrative-related functions running efficiently.
Tell us about the organization for which you volunteer and why you chose to support it.
Three Oaks Center is a facility in St. Mary’s County, Maryland that provides emergency and transitional housing and referrals to individuals and families to help them meet their basic needs for shelter and stability. I got involved with Three Oaks when I joined a group of Booz Allen volunteers who helped paint the Center during the United Way’s Day of Caring. My vice president Cindy suggested—well, she pushed me to think about doing more for the Center because she felt that my skill set was ideal for that organization. And she was right!
What type of volunteer services do you provide to the organization?
I’ve been involved with Three Oaks for five years and I’m on the board of directors. I support initiatives to promote the Center and its services, such as organizing a golf tournament to raise funds and drives to collect toiletries, diapers, and other supplies. I’m also launching a mentoring program. I’m proud to say that I helped improve the diversity of the Three Oaks board. Three Oaks serves all classes, races and backgrounds of people, and our board now represents a more accurate cross-section of our community instead of just one sector.
How has Booz Allen supported your volunteer commitment?
Booz Allen is my springboard. The firm introduced me to the Center and it continues to provide funding and resources, such as donating computers and supporting its IT needs. Many of my colleagues also volunteer there. The firm’s Junior Exempt Employees Forum and Women’s Forum have initiated a coat drive and a baby supplies drive for Three Oaks. Booz Allen has always been about more than just words—it also takes action. Booz Allen’s heart is tremendous; it cares for its employees and its community and takes action to do for others.
You won a Booz Allen Involvement & Impact Award in 2008 for your significant contributions to volunteer services. How did receiving the award make a difference to you?
It was tremendous to be acknowledged by my colleagues for my volunteer work. At that time, I had been feeling overwhelmed with all my responsibilities, but the award gave me incentive to go on. I keep it on my desk to remind me of my commitment to my work and to the Center.
How are you able to leverage your skill set as a Booz Allen employee to assist this organization?
As a Booz Allen administrator, I support Cindy with my skills in organization, problem solving, networking, communications, and attention to detail. I can pull together complex requirements, like an all-hands meeting with our CEO and 300 employees. I’ve had training in public speaking, and I’ve learned by observing Cindy and our CEO Dr. Shrader how much influence you can have by making a good presentation. At Three Oaks, I help make their already successful programs more robust by applying these administrative skills. For example, I used my expertise in meeting planning to organize the Center’s golf tournament and engage different people to drive one goal. I use my experience to find solutions so we don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Has your volunteer experience helped you with your professional development?
I’ve become skilled at hitting the ground running and learning as I go. Supporting my vice president had already prepared me for public relations, and working with the Center has provided me with even more experience in building the relationships that help you succeed.
What have you learned about yourself as a result of your volunteer experience?
Homelessness can affect anyone. Because we’re a rural county, people often think homelessness doesn’t exist here, but our homeless population is just not as visible; most of them live in the woods and move from camp to camp. Working with the homeless showed me that I’m a nurturer by nature—a gift I didn’t know I had. Ghandi said that you must be the change you want to see in the world. I used to think I was “just” a secretary, but volunteering at Three Oaks has shown me the impact of one.
What is the primary message you’d like your Booz Allen colleagues to know about your volunteer commitment?
Each person can make a difference. It doesn’t matter the size of the gift, all that really matters is that you give. If you only have 15 minutes to donate, make it your best 15 minutes. As my grandmother always said, kindness doesn’t cost anything. I wish our world could be a little more kind today. Just saying hello to a stranger could change the course of someone’s direction.
study posted February 27, 2009
