Matthew Friend
, PrincipalWhy did you choose Booz Allen?
A big part of it was the people. Everyone I met here was smart and supportive. The other part was opportunity; it was clear to me that Booz Allen’s leadership was committed to growth of the firm in the financial services area. I knew I would have the support I needed to build a team and
go from there.
Why have you chosen to stay at Booz Allen?
I value the continuing opportunities I’ve found here to work across every aspect of financial services, including working with different regulators, commercial banks, financial services technology companies, and nonprofits to help modernize and streamline financial systems in the United States.
What type of work do you do at Booz Allen?
I’m on the Information Technology (IT) Team, focusing on financial services and systems modernization. Most of my current work is with government entities, but I also consult with commercial banks. Even though I work in IT, I collaborate regularly with colleagues from all of Booz Allen’s capability areas such as Economic Business Analysis and Assurance and Resilience. Working across these areas helps me see how best to add continued value and ensure the best possible service delivery to the client.
What excites you about your work?
What I’m excited about today are the opportunities I’m seeing as part of the Booz Allen Financial Reform Campaign Team, which the firm created to help government organizations respond to recent changes in the financial markets. Some of the issues we’re working on are economic stabilization, bank and securities oversight, payments modernization, and enforcement. It feels great to work on an issue that’s on everyone’s mind right now, and it’s invigorating to know that you have the opportunity, right in front of you, to make a difference for the government and the citizens of our country.
Do you have a mentor at Booz Allen?
I have mentors who help in all areas of my career, whether it’s business direction and focus, career and personal development, or personnel and hiring issues, and that support has been incredibly valuable.
What differentiates Booz Allen from other companies that you could work for? What makes Booz Allen special?
Most of all, it’s our adherence to our Core Values, which have been fully institutionalized in every aspect of our work and the business. These values are a reflection of how we feel everyone should act and be treated in business. There’s no lip service when it comes to the Core Values—I see them in operation every day.
How has Booz Allen helped you be ready for what’s next in your career?
Working in a consulting firm like Booz Allen, you’re exposed to all aspects of client engagement, from the beginning of the relationship to the completion of the delivery life cycle. You also see the full range of client operations—how they run their organizations. This exposure gives you a great perspective on how to do many different things in your own career.
How does the work you do help your clients be ready for what’s next? How has your work and your team’s work made an impact for your client?
The work I do across public and private spheres, with both government and industry, enables me to bring a diverse and thoughtful approach to solving some of the most difficult problems our clients face. This kind of broad perspective is critical in helping them identify and choose from the many options available.
Can you talk about a time when you saw one or more of our Core Values displayed?
Shortly after I started at Booz Allen, I was attending a final bid review meeting with senior leadership, and I heard an Officer say, “Even though we’re well positioned to win this piece of business, it doesn’t fit with our client service Core Value. We want to ensure the best delivery we can, and this isn’t in our sweet spot.” Then he moved that we no-bid an opportunity worth tens of millions of dollars, and the rest of the leadership agreed. What this shows me is that, at Booz Allen, Core Values come first, and everything else follows.
