A Year of STEM, Service, and Shaping the Future

In 2023, making a difference in our communities at Booz Allen took many forms: support for service dogs in North Carolina, volunteers for robotics competitions in Hawaii, an inaugural gathering of educators at The Helix, Booz Allen’s Center for Innovation, and more. But the mission behind all of these activities remains constant: empowering people to change the world. Read on for highlights.

Gwendolyn Oxford, through Booz Allen’s Annual Employee Giving Campaign, and Sharnae Smith, as Booz Allen’s 2023 Volunteer of the Year, share a common thread in their philanthropic journeys: a highly personal story behind their giving. 

Gwendolyn originally learned about Steadfast Service Dogs, the nonprofit she supports, through the organization’s first service dog, a massive white German Shepherd named Snouticus. She followed his adventures on Facebook, and then a happy coincidence followed: Just as she was relocating to Booz Allen’s Fayetteville, North Carolina, office, Steadfast Service Dogs was moving its facilities right across town.

Over the years, the nonprofit developed a proven track record of service dog placements for a wide range of conditions: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), diabetes, seizures, heavy mobility issues, and psychiatric and neurological disabilities. As the organization grew, Gwendolyn supported them through Booz Allen’s Annual Employee Giving Campaign, in which the firm matches all employee donations up to $2,500 made through the Booz Allen Cares website.

“It’s great money for your nonprofit,” she says. “Whatever you contribute gets doubled, whether it’s $5 or $1,000. It adds up quickly, and for many organizations and nonprofits, this is an easy way to help them.”

Sharnae’s advocacy began in 2011 when she was diagnosed with lupus. Since then, she’s been an active voice and supporter for those with the disease, founding the Memphis Lupus Support Group in Tennessee. She has also participated in projects like the Deep South Health Equity Project and an initiative by the Lupus Foundation of America and the University of Alabama to conduct a clinical trial for African-American lupus patients in the states of Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi, and Kentucky.

“It took years and tears, and there were moments when I wanted to quit,” Sharnae says. “But our grant was finally approved, and about 1,500 people signed up for our clinical trials.”

“Sharnae has turned her pain into purpose, taking her experience with chronic illness and turning it into good for others,” says Booz Allen Foundation Executive Director Christine Hoisington. “We are proud of the impact she is making in her community and the generosity that she inspires in us all.”

Booz Allen has an established presence in communities large and small around the world, and two of these locations marked big milestones in 2023.

Booz Allen opened a new 20,000-square-foot, 400-employee Mission Systems Integration Facility (MSIF) at its Pax River location in southern Maryland, and Booz Allen’s Hawaii office was among the top three locations for leading and staffing impactful pro bono work around the country.

Dottie Simeona has been with the Pax River location from the beginning. She started her career there 37 years ago as a research analyst. Since then, she’s moved through roles in acquisition, financial management, and cybersecurity to her current position as a global defense leader for Booz Allen’s support of the Navy-Marine Corps.

“MSIF allows us to support government agencies far more effectively,” Dottie says of the new facility. “Our staff now has a creative environment so that like-minded colleagues can thrive and develop technical solutions.”

Thousands of miles away is Hawaii, where Booz Allen has had a presence since 1961. The firm worked with Kamehameha Schools to develop a strategy for the future. Over the past six decades, the location’s giving has grown with the region and its needs.

“Now more than ever, the community needs to unite and find innovative ways to help vulnerable populations,” says Bob Lietzke.

Recent efforts include:

• Helping the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum modernize its IT infrastructure
• Working with nonprofit organization Ho’ōla Nā Pua to use data analytics to raise awareness about child sex trafficking in Hawaii
• Creating a data management plan for YWCA Oahu, the largest and oldest women’s membership organization in Hawaii
• Supporting FIRST Robotics, which introduces students from ages 6 to 18 to STEM projects and careers with grants and volunteers

As innovations like AI, data analytics, and cyber transform our world, the demand for STEM professionals is increasing exponentially. Closing this gap is an urgent challenge—and a unique opportunity to build a more equitable workforce.

The Booz Allen Foundation is using technology and innovation to seize this opportunity. Recent efforts include:

• Pathbuilder grants in Washington, DC, and San Diego—cities with Booz Allen’s largest offices, a high concentration of tech firms, a prevalence of underserved youth, and a breadth of active community organizations to work with
• Employee-nominated Equity Grants supporting initiatives, including hackathons, cybersecurity education, STEM apprenticeships and bootcamps, and the first Dyslexic Edge Academy
• Convening the 2023 AI Education Summit, which brought together key nonprofit, government, and industry stakeholders to discuss the growing importance of AI education in schools

“We are proud of the progress we have made towards leveling the playing field for underrepresented youth in neighborhoods where we live and work,” says Christine.

Booz Allen has a long history of recognition for its workplace and culture. In 2023, the firm added yet another milestone to this list: a fifth consecutive year among Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Diversity.

More than 45,000 respondents anonymously rated their organizations on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) criteria, and those from underrepresented groups recommended businesses other than their own. Rankings also accounted for factors like the publication of diversity data, the representation of women in executive roles, and the presence of employee resource groups.

Also in 2023, the Ethisphere Institute named Booz Allen among the World’s Most Ethical Companies, for the fourth consecutive year. The annual list recognizes global companies dedicated to integrity, sustainability, governance, and community with a commitment to ethical behavior, accountability, and driving positive change.

“Booz Allen’s commitment to high ethical standards goes hand in hand with our values and our purpose: empower people to change the world,” says Booz Allen President and CEO Horacio Rozanski. “Our employees reflect this commitment every day as they support our clients’ missions and each other with ferocious integrity and passionate service. I’m proud Booz Allen has once again achieved this distinguished recognition as we drive the future forward together."