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Booz Allen Women's Forum: A Dynamic Synthesis of Ideas and Experience A name change underscores the group’s mission to support both professional and personal development of staff. On April 1, 2006, Booz Allen Hamilton’s Women of Greater Washington forum changed its name to the Women’s Forum (WF)—a title that better reflects its consistent focus on providing the firm’s staff with networking and career development opportunities. Its name has changed, but the group’s mission has not, says Senior Associate Joan Bishop: “The Women’s Forum continues to facilitate all aspects of career fulfillment for the women of Booz Allen.” The firm has sponsored the forum since its inception in 2001. The WF advances the professional interests of its membership by:
The WF is one of Booz Allen’s 13 active forums, each of which focuses on a unique interest or population within the firm, including Asia and Pacific Americans, African Americans, members and former members of the armed services, flex workers, the disabled, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons. Groups collaborate and network together, and some individuals participate in several forums. “People want to be valued at their jobs in ways that money can’t provide,” says Bishop. “Booz Allen demonstrates its support of its staff by empowering them to run the forums. The forums have become an important part of our culture, and are consistently cited when the firm wins awards for best place to work and best place for women to work.” Sharing Unique Insights to Advance Colleagues’ Professional Goals Almost 1,000 individuals are members of the WF in the Washington, D.C. metro area; there are also strong women’s forums in the San Antonio, Hampton Roads, and San Diego locations, as well as Houston, Colorado Springs, and Dayton. The WF and its activities are open to all staff, not just female members. The WF sets its event agenda at leadership, co-chair, and subcommittee meetings, relying largely on ideas from members as to what might be interesting for all staff to learn. Popular events include quarterly new hire lunches, monthly networking lunches, Bring Your Child to Work Day, and the Women of Distinction awards. Women of Distinction Award Winners In April 2006, 20 Women of Distinction from all levels of the firm were nominated by their peers to be honored for their outstanding contributions. Six of those women were chosen for special “crystal” honors at a celebratory reception:
Characteristics that earn women this distinctive recognition include integrity, selflessness, and character. “The event celebrates these individuals—some of whom we don’t often hear about—and showcase the ways in which they went the extra mile to support their colleagues and community,” says Bishop. Another WF-sponsored event, Bring Your Child to Work Day, is now in its eighth year at Booz Allen. In 2006, over 100 sixth- to twelfth-graders visited the McLean campus, where employees volunteered their time to present a themed program, “Shaping the Future.” The youngsters then reported what they learned to their schools. The event prompted a variety of programs in Booz Allen offices throughout the country. Panel events featuring women partners are also popular with WF members. In April 2006, the WF sponsored the Senior Women’s Leadership Panel at the Hampton Roads office in Norfolk. It featured seven senior women who discussed issues such as work/life balance, leadership, and tips for success, and offered advice on career hurdles and opportunities. Panel events are one way the WF enables senior staff to share functional knowledge and experience and helps them transfer what they have learned to others. The WF’s VP sponsor is Laurie Gallo, and co-chairs are Kirsten Luescher, Kelli Kolling, and Jennifer Morrow. The advisory committee consists of Bishop, Corrine Kosar, Laurie Gallo, Carol Gault, and Michael Fitzgerald. Short-term goals for the group are to establish the newly elected leadership; continue to identify and execute a robust array of events; and identify new ways to share the expertise of senior leaders with a broader set of women in the firm. story posted April 27, 2006
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