Meet Heather

Heather Fortuna Bush is a JCC account leader, managing Booz Allen’s business supporting U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and its component command. Based out of Stuttgart, Germany, she is also a member of the JCC Europe integrated management team.

While at Booz Allen, Heather has managed contracts ranging from $5 million to $1.2 billion in the United States and Europe spanning delivery around the world, including to USEUCOM and U.S. Africa Command. She has led clients through strategic planning efforts, business process reengineering, and organizational design in projects related to strategic assessments, organizational design, and open source media analysis.

Before joining Booz Allen, Heather worked in nonprofit organizations to bring programs to vulnerable women in post-conflict countries in Europe and Africa, helping them build their skill sets, enabling them to positively work through their wartime experiences and giving them a way to provide for their families. She also served as editor-in-chief of a journal that brought awareness to these issues and spoke at public events, including Capitol Hill receptions, panels, and multi-organization conferences.

Heather has participated in several pro bono projects, including strategic planning efforts for the Arlington Academy of Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides basic education and health assistance for children in Uganda. She also co-led the first expedition to Nepal through CHOICE Humanitarian, where she established a microcredit program for women.

Heather is a certified project management professional. She holds an M.S. in gender and social policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science and dual B.S. degrees in political science and sociology from the University of Utah.

What makes you excited to come to work every day?

The people, the opportunity to make a difference, and the fresh challenges that arise. I also believe strongly that our work in Europe is making a difference in the world and helps keep America safe. This motivates me every day.

What’s a lesson you learned growing up, and how is it relevant to you today?

I learned the value of grit and determination by getting up every time I toppled over into the lake while water skiing and by playing soccer against competitors who were bigger than me. These traits have served me well as I have been faced with challenging professional problems that needed to be overcome.

How do you inspire your teams to do excellent work? How do your teams inspire you?

My teams inspire me through their dedication to client missions, desire to make a difference, and commitment to living Booz Allen’s values. I inspire them by doing my best to provide them with satisfying opportunities that align to their career interests, ensuring that they feel heard, and driving innovation.

Why is it important for Booz Allen to be a diverse and inclusive workplace?

This is a topic I’m very passionate about, because I’ve personally seen how a diverse team drives better results and leads to better solutions. When different ways of doing things are considered and a diverse team is able to “norm” around the way they work together, we better serve our clients at Booz Allen. I’ve seen this played out in many ways with numerous clients during my 13 years at the firm. One size does not fit all. 

Booz Allen’s diverse and inclusive workplace is also one of the things I love most about the firm. Employees can show up as their authentic selves and be valued for their diverse contributions. Authenticity is at the heart of Booz Allen’s operating model, which fuels our success.

What do Booz Allen’s values mean to you?

One of things I love most about Booz Allen’s values is they are not just words on a wall that are referred to once and then forgotten. They're woven into the fabric of our culture and client delivery. Our values drive our business practices. They're real and add even more meaning to our work. They demonstrate the way we operate every single day and are one of the reasons I remain here. I’m incredibly grateful to work for a firm that lives its values.