National Hispanic Heritage Month at Booz Allen

Every year, National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the cultures, histories, and accomplishments of U.S. citizens whose ancestors come from Central and South America, the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, Mexico, and Spain. 

For this year’s celebration at Booz Allen, Associate Alma Luna and Lead Technologist Angelina Romualdo talk about Booz Allen’s Latin American Network (LAN): what LAN does, why they volunteer as co-chairs, and the many ways the network makes an impact.

LAN is one of five networks within Booz Allen’s Multicultural Business Resource Group. These networks provide Booz Allen employees with opportunities to influence the business, develop new skills, grow as leaders, and make meaningful connections.

The blend of structured professional development opportunities, networking events, and cultural enrichment programming are year-round. But they all come together during National Hispanic Heritage Month. From mid-September to mid-October, LAN hosts a full roster of events focused on career development, community engagement, and giving back.

Virtually and in person, employees from around the world connect for cooking and dance classes, executive leadership panels focused on mentorship, and events that build connections, like the annual fireside chat with CEO Horacio Rozanski.

“During last year’s event he unexpectedly showed up in his Argentina soccer jersey,” Romualdo recalled. “One attendee went briefly off camera to change into his favorite soccer team jersey, too. The camaraderie was unmatched after that, being that soccer is such a big part of our culture.”  

This year’s theme is Empoderar: Embracing Our Roots and Community. “We choose this theme because we feel our community needs to be seen as key contributors, especially when they embrace their whole selves and bring all those attributes to work,” Romualdo said.

These connections and support continue year-round, especially in the area of career growth. “We believe an employee’s professional development is as equally as important as their personal development,” Luna said.

LAN delivers resources for every step in an employee’s career: an active chat board, ongoing outreach about available job opportunities, events with senior leaders, and more.

For example, Luna explained, “Many employees are the first in their families to reach this level of professionalism. So, as we provide resources for career growth, we don't forget the importance of providing opportunities that focus on challenges that impact our communities.”

“A network that focuses on what you need at a micro and macro level has lasting impacts,” Luna said. “Employees stay at a company where they feel supported.”