For a time, I was Deepak Chopra’s executive assistant. Working for the mind-body-health luminary, I learned that, by practicing daily gratitude, anyone can choose happiness.
This practice informs how I think about my work. The highlights of my career have been acts of community service small and large, things like putting together care packages for our nation’s service men and women. Helping these same men and women who serve the country is among my highest callings.
And my primary motivation for building a thriving business with Booz Allen’s Navy Marine Corps clients? To support the dreams and aspirations of her clients, teams and their families—that’s gratitude for my community, gratitude for our nation’s protectors, and gratitude for the team that follows my lead.
You can choose happiness. I firmly believe that.
Jennie Brooks is a leader driving strategy and operations at Booz Allen’s San Diego office. Managing acquisitions and logistics, Jennie oversees a 700-member team supporting Navy clients across the country. She also works closely with Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR).
Jennie’s experience includes building high-performing teams across a range of functional expertise, such as contracts portfolio management, financial management, and analytics. Additionally, as executive sponsor of Booz Allen’s Women’s Forum, Jennie leads initiatives across the firm to attract, retain, and develop female employees.
Prior to joining Booz Allen, Jennie worked in the health and wellness industry at the Anthony Robbins Companies and the Chopra Companies. Jennie is active in her community, serving as a board member for the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association in San Diego, as well as for the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation. She is also vice chair of the Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation Advisory Board, and previously served as president of the Women in Defense San Diego Chapter. Jennie is a graduate of LEAD San Diego, an organization dedicated to developing civically engaged leaders.
Jennie holds a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of California San Diego and an M.B.A. from San Diego State University. Jennie was recognized by the San Diego Business Journal as one of its top 25 Business Women of the Year in 2018.
What excites you about working with the Navy and Marine Corps? They are among the most dedicated people I’ve ever met. To make some small contribution to serving their mission and our nation, that’s among my highest callings.
What are the greatest challenges facing your clients? Among others, they include cybersecurity, modernizing the IT infrastructure, and accelerating the delivery of tech capabilities to our warfighters.
How do you help your clients prepare for the future? Our commitment to them is that we will always look ahead into the future, bring the best talent available and innovative solutions to their challenges.
Why is Booz Allen an ideal firm for someone with expertise and skills in your line of work? The culture here enables you to create the career of your choosing and the people are among the finest I know. They provoke, inspire, and collaborate. They’re dedicated to their communities. And as a working mother, the ability to adapt my days based on what’s happening with my clients and my family is extremely valuable to pursuing my passions.
What are three tips for managing and motivating your people? One, understand their goals and aspirations and align with them. Allow everyone on the team to play to their strengths and passions. Two, commit to having completely honest dialogues, driving a trusted team environment. Three, have fun.
What advice would you give to someone who just took on a new leadership role? Ask for help and be prepared to stretch. Also, as a leader you set the tone, so maintaining a positive one is important for everyone.
What is an old or obsolete item that you cannot rid of? I have a handheld VHS video camera that has a tape of a trip I took to New Zealand in it.
What is the best experience that you’ve received as a gift? A ticket to Australia right after college. I ended up staying for over a year. I now have a global community of friends stemming from friendships made on that trip.
What is something not many people know about you or might surprise the people that you work with? I used to work for luminaries in the mind-body-health field—Tony Robbins and Deepak Chopra.
What motivates you? Truthfully, the people here at Booz Allen. Our business supports not only our nation’s military but also our employees, their families and our communities. It’s an honor to have this opportunity each day.
What has been your life’s biggest challenge? Facing the adversity of my son’s congenital heart condition and losing my father very early. Those challenges keep me grateful for each moment we have.
What do you think people can do to be happier? You can choose happiness. Deepak Chopra taught me to practice daily gratitude, consciously calling it into practice through meditation. It’s a deliberate and diligent practice. You’ll see benefits from it, I promise.
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