PEOPLE AND IMPACT

Cesca Daniels (third from right) represented Booz Allen at the 2022 Elizabeth Dole Foundation gala. Credit: Elizabeth Dole Foundation Cesca Daniels is committed to representation in the workforce Francesca ‘Cesca’ Daniels does everything she can to uplift those around her. As a co-chair of Booz Allen’s Global Disabilities Business Resource Group (BRG), she works with her colleagues to organize a series of firmwide events in October in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Centered around the theme of “We Will Not Hide,” these employee events explore topics such as how to create a safe space for people with disabilities to advocate for themselves, get the accommodations they need, and gain the confidence to be as vocal as they want to be about their disabilities. No matter what cause she’s working on, Cesca asks herself, “Am I doing something that makes me feel good? Am I making positive change in the world? If the answers are ‘yes’, I tend to keep pushing.” Read on to learn more about Cesca, her career as a wargame designer, and what the Global Disabilities BRG means to her. We Will Not Hide As its name implies, the We Will Not Hide campaign encourages people with disabilities to be their authentic selves at work and in their personal lives. Cesca’s disability is “nonapparent”—you wouldn’t know about it unless you saw her with an assistive device. For many others who have “apparent” disabilities—it’s impossible for them to conceal their disability. “We Will Not Hide is especially meant for recent hires who feel like they shouldn’t disclose their non-apparent disabilities to their employer,” Cesca says. “Whether it’s chronic pain, color blindness, or post-traumatic stress disorder, we want everyone in the community to feel empowered to request the accommodations they need to feel safe, think clearly, and work just like the rest of their colleagues.” The October events will empower those who want to share their disability to do so, without shame and without hesitation—through their actions and words. “Of course, not everyone wants to share their disability—and that’s okay!” stresses Cesca. “But others want to shout it from the rooftop—and that should be okay, too.” Among the planned companywide NDEAM events, panel discussions will be led by distinguished colleagues, doctors of neuroscience, and experts in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Cesca poured her heart into the development of programs to celebrate NDEAM. “We worked side by side with senior leaders, talking with them for hours about our vision,” says Cesca. “They really listened, asked our concerns, and offered help supporting our ideas around the campaign.” Booz Allen’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) resources, like the Global Disabilities BRG, are just one example of the company’s commitment to its employees. Booz Allen recently celebrated its ninth consecutive year with a 100/100 score on the Disability:IN Index. In 2020, the firm partnered with the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) to help craft the Accessible Document Specialist Certification. Delivering—and Accepting—Support Along the Way Alongside her BRG role, Cesca provides vital services to the defense world as a wargame designer. Her journey to reach her goals meant gaining the knowledge and skills required—a big obstacle for a working mother. “I wanted to enter the business world,” she says. However, she knew that earning the degree she needed would be challenging. Cesca needed to reach out and accept support—she just had to discover the right organization. “I found Booz Allen,” she says, “because it’s known to be one of the best firms for working moms like myself. I applied, and they hired me and even paid for my graduate degree.” At Booz Allen, Cesca jumped in the deep end and never looked back. “I started in Booz Allen’s wargame practice,” she says. “I had no wargame experience, so I had to learn from the ground up. Fortunately, I learned from the best in the industry—the person who hired me was a wargame expert and led the practice.” A few years ago, Cesca was diagnosed with a progressively degenerative neurological disorder that made commuting extremely difficult. But Cesca didn’t give up—she remained passionate about her work and was determined to find a way to keep going. Following her diagnosis, Cesca worked with her leadership, her clients, and Booz Allen’s accessibility experts to establish work accommodations that would both fit her needs in a holistic and sustainable way and allow her to continue to perform her role at peak efficiency. “The firm supports me and allows me the flexibility I need,” says Cesca. “Booz Allen has been good to me since I joined around 20 years ago. It’s definitely a mutually beneficial relationship.” Finding Passion for Her Community Cesca’s involvement with the Global Disabilities BRG began with an email, which caught her attention by speaking to her passion for individuals with disabilities. “The Global Disabilities BRG was looking for a volunteer,” she says. “After doing some research, I applied for the position and explained my own story. They were excited to have me, and I haven’t looked back.” Brian MacCarthy, a senior vice president at Booz Allen and one of the executive sponsors of the Global Disabilities BRG, has worked hand in hand with Cesca and seen her lend her voice to supporting the company’s employees with disabilities. “Cesca is one of the hardest working people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with,” says Brian. “She completely embodies our value of unflinching courage. As someone with a disability myself since birth, I’ve found that the mental and physical toll a disability takes on a person can often be overlooked by those on the outside. Our goal in the BRG is to normalize these experiences, share our journeys, and empower others to bring their true selves to work every day. That’s who I want to be surrounded by in my work environment.” Cesca’s work under the BRG umbrella is far more than an extracurricular activity—she wants to transform how society views those with disabilities. “There are so many negative connotations with being handicapped,” she says.

Matt Bille brings ideas to life at Booz Allen and beyond “We’re now seeing the future I saw growing up only in science fiction. People can go to space as tourists and reusable rockets are flying every day, opening up commerce. And we’ve made leaps in robotic exploration with a renewed interest in human exploration.” – Matt Bille, Booz Allen space writer and researcher Matt Bille has supported Booz Allen’s space business since 2001, researching markets, technologies, and programs for clients and putting together a written history of military space operations for the firm.  But these are just two aspects of a multifaceted career. Matt’s writing has taken him from outer space to the deepest oceans, from serving in the Air Force to inventing fictional worlds. It’s a life of learning with even more adventures ahead.  Matt shares his story here. A Childhood Surrounded by Inspiration Matt grew up south of Cape Canaveral in Florida. “You saw space on the news, read about it in the newspapers, and talked about it at school,” he remembers.  “Astronauts and scientific explorers have always been my heroes,” Matt says. In addition to being able to take tours and see moon rockets, he was lucky. He was able to see the Apollo launches. He was at Edwards Air Force Base when the first Shuttle landed. And he met two astronauts, Jack Schmitt and Buzz Aldrin, who walked on the moon.  Another influence was closer to home: an encouraging family. “My parents loved to read,” Matt says. “We never had much money, but we had books and watched documentaries, and they encouraged us kids to get library cards. When I first started writing (badly) as a teenager, they were all for it, and they still read everything I write.” Turning a Longtime Fascination into a Career During his career, Matt has written over 30 papers and articles on space exploration, space history, microsatellites, and launch vehicles. This professional path began in the Air Force, where Matt served as an officer specializing in intercontinental ballistic missiles and command and control systems for over a decade. After transitioning from the military, he worked as a senior research analyst with a public service research institute, investigating small launch vehicles and satellites.  This experience led to Booz Allen, where he supported clients and served as a “volunteer evangelist” for employee publications and use of professional conferences in the space sector and across the firm. “Most Americans used to think about space primarily in terms of the astronauts,” Matt says. “Thanks to GPS and communication satellites, there’s now increasing awareness that space is an invaluable part of everyday life, commerce, education, and defense.” Microsatellites and Moby Dick Growing up, Matt was also intrigued by ocean life and other animals. This interest led him and a Booz Allen team to bring together their space expertise in a challenge on the open seas. “I was a freelance writer working on endangered, unknown, and recently extinct species, about which I’ve written three books,” he says. “I talked to the three leading American cetology experts about whales, and one thing that became clear was that we needed more information.”  “We don’t always know where whales are, and that makes it harder to protect them and prevent ship collisions,” he explains. “That idea gelled in my mind with my longtime interest in small satellites.” Matt collaborated with Booz Allen experts in software, environmental science, and biology on an effort called “Project WHALES” (Whale/Habitat Advanced Location and Exploration Smallsats).   After two years of earning funding, speaking with experts in whale tracking, and creating models, the team presented their research paper, “Microsatellites and Moby Dick.” It details how small satellite technology in the skies can help protect marine creatures in oceans that are miles below. “The software can plot the tagged whales’ courses, and we can study the sound they make and the sounds that impinge on them from ships and other sources,” Matt says. A Life of Exploration and Ideas Looking ahead, Matt has even more projects in the works. In the area of space history, he has worked with other Booz Allen volunteers to write about the Explorer series of small satellites, one of NASA’s longtime programs for earth and space science. He’s also developing a history of the Air Force’s Blue Scout program, which inspired the Guardian Scout rapid launch system. In addition, Matt is capturing his research and bringing his ideas to life in books, both nonfiction and fiction. In addition to his three zoology books and two novels so far, he has another book in the works. Seas, Sharks, and Serpents will cover discoveries in marine life and the folklore and exploration of the oceans. Another work in progress is a scientific thriller called Apex Predator—“it’s sort of like Jaws meets Jurassic Park, in which a prehistoric predatory fish called Dunkleosteus, an orca-sized animal with heavy armor and terrifying teeth, might have survived,” says Matt.  “I love those kinds of novels. What I’m trying to do with Apex Predator is elevate them by telling a story about complex characters and accurate science,” he says. In addition to his own writing, Matt reviews others’ books and discusses scientific topics in his blog, Matt’s Sci/Tech Blog, which has been active since 2005. “I just want to know and research and develop ideas,” Matt says. “I have more ideas than I will ever be able to explore.”

Cloud leader Delie Minaie shares her story When a small business owner files their taxes, a medical researcher accesses online studies, or a veteran navigates their benefits, they’re taking advantage of government operations through the cloud. By making services available with the click of a mouse or swipe on a phone, cloud technology has made federal services far faster, more convenient, and more accessible. However, implementing cloud services successfully is easier said than done.  “Done with purpose, cloud can pave the way for tighter security, more efficient operations, seamless integration of new technologies, and agile footing across an enterprise,” says Vice President Delie Minaie, a leader spearheading Booz Allen’s cloud solutions for civil agencies. “Done haphazardly, it can leave agencies with a new set of challenges that are just as formidable as those they experienced with on-premises IT.” Read on to learn how Delie’s career has evolved alongside Booz Allen’s cloud services and how she is helping to shape the future as the executive sponsor of the civil cloud business’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council.  Growing as a Cloud Professional and Advisor Nearly 20 years ago, Delie started her career with a degree in finance and an internship in Booz Allen’s cost accounting group. She gained what she calls “a good foundational understanding” of operations like financial reporting and profit and loss statements, in other words, learning “how you run financial operations for a company of this size.” “It was an awesome opportunity to truly understand how we as an institution do financial reporting, what I’m calling ‘back of the house’ financial operations. I quickly realized I need to be in the ‘front of the house’ supporting customers’ missions,” she says. But Delie soon realized that she was interested in helping Booz Allen’s clients build their own operations with a focus on enterprise IT programs helping our clients pitch their case for better government with emerging technology, digital products, and more efficient, constituent-focused services. “Growing up, I always had an entrepreneurial bug, where you’re literally flying by the seat of your pants and wanting to build something from scratch.” As a firm, Booz Allen had begun to realize that the industry was on the cusp of a sea change. As the federal government enacted policies like Cloud First and Cloud Smart to bring their implementation and operations online, cloud sits at the intersection of so many government modernization goals that don’t seem related at first glance. For example, improving mission delivery to citizens by making government more accessible, reducing the government’s data center footprint, modernizing government IT infrastructure, and improving security and reliability—all these goals have a commonality in that they are achievable through cloud adoption. Delie quickly realized that whatever part of the government mission really speaks to you, cloud can further it in some way. “My strengths were in IT strategy, people, and processes. Given my deep client relationships with chief experience officers, I had the opportunity to champion the evolution of their service delivery model and could bring the thought leadership and both functional and technical capabilities to help them deliver on it,” she says. In order to understand her clients’ needs and how the engineering team proposed to solve IT modernization challenges, “I realized I needed to fundamentally understand the underlying technology, network, and security stack,” says Delie. This has been a multiyear journey spanning critical infrastructure to DevSecOps, taking labs, earning certifications, and learning how to “leverage this emerging technology to really change the game” throughout. “That’s at the core of Booz Allen—continuous learning and continuous improvement,” she says. Booz Allen afforded Delie the opportunity to stay relevant in the fast-paced world where technology has become an important facilitator for businesses. Technology is critical in driving optimization and efficiency across all sectors today, including the public and private sectors. She quickly realized that tech adoption is not only an investment but a business imperative to keep the country competitive in an ever-changing global economy.  Tackling All Aspects of Cloud Success As Delie’s expertise grew across the many aspects of cloud, so has Booz Allen’s. Today, the firm offers a comprehensive framework for federal cloud solutions, with support at every phase and level of maturity, with especially strong capabilities in data enablement and cloud security.  “Booz Allen is known for our cyber capabilities, and our cloud solutions are made with a security-first mindset,” she explains. For federal agencies, this means that Delie’s team can develop cloud environments for the highest federal security standards of Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP), and other security levels. Ensuring consistent security baseline configurations and a “single pane of glass” promotes better enterprise visibility in a world where nation-state actors are looking for the most vulnerable targets that can be exploited. If done wrong, cloud or multicloud risks losing a consolidated view because each has its own interfaces. In addition, splitting systems with some in the cloud and some still residing on-premises, with varying degrees of modernization, creates a new problem that did not exist before: Agencies have to create hybrid-style IT operating models for this hybrid landscape. How do the on-prem apps/systems talk to the cloud-based ones? Is the organization creating security risks by trying to connect these systems? “With our Booz Allen Smart Platform, we select cloud service provider (CSP)-agnostic tools that integrate with all CSP environments and customer environments to efficiently and centrally deliver platforms that specialize in cloud/multicloud integration,” notes Delie. “Cloud-to-cloud connectivity between platform as a service (PaaS) or software as a service (SaaS) providers, on-premises data centers, and shadow clouds will require deliberate integration.” Delie and her team are looking to the future, too. “We’re thinking through the next wave of capabilities, including AI and machine learning, where we’re leading the way in the federal sector,” she says. Her team is also reimagining how agencies execute their missions, using large language models (LLM) to help them translate legacy code into modern programming languages, while preserving the business logic and

“The integration of the U.S. Armed Forces ensured I had representation and role models that looked like me. It also provided an opportunity for mentorship, advocacy, and support at all levels. I want to pay tribute to the people who made this order possible.” – Cleophus Thomas, Jr., retired U.S. Army colonel and principal at Booz Allen Cyber expert and veteran Cleo Thomas shares his story In 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Orders 9980 and 9981 abolishing segregation in the federal workforce and the U.S. armed forces. For U.S. Army Technical Sergeant Cleophus Thomas, Sr., this meant that he was able to serve his country during the Korean War and feel that he would be treated equally. For his son, the orders paved the way for a 25-year military career that allowed him to hold leadership positions that he could never have held before the executive order—including leading one of the Army’s largest signal brigades and providing support to the White House Communications Agency under President Barack Obama. As Booz Allen celebrates the 75th anniversary of this legislation and National Veterans and Military Families Month, Cleophus Thomas, Jr. reflects on this journey, the community he has found at Booz Allen, and the importance of continuing the work. A Team with a Shared Mission Cleo joined the Army ROTC as a way to fund his education at Tuskegee University, one of the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) in Alabama. “My original plan was to spend four years in the Army and get out, and four years turned into 25,” he says. “I was having a great time but, most importantly, felt like I was part of an equal team.” “The Army was the first place where I would see people of different races just getting in the car together and going to lunch,” he remembers. “There was no sense of divide or separation. It was more about ‘we’re in this thing together.’ It was just a melting pot of different cultures coming together for one mission.” Cleo recalls the Army being an environment where “your performance, no matter what you look like, was at the forefront of your promotion.” What’s more, he says, “I felt like the Army was something that was bigger than me, that I was giving something back—not only to the service members that I was working with but also as a role model to people coming up through the ranks.” Common Values and Culture Today Cleo uses the expertise he gained in the Army to support Booz Allen’s cyber clients. “There’s an opportunity to recreate yourself,” he says about joining the firm. “You can network within the firm to find that job that specifically motivates you and moves you to the next level.” Furthermore, he adds, “The culture and values are similar to how it was in the military. If you look at some of the things that you hold dear to your heart in the military—selfless service, loyalty, and mission—all of those values exist at Booz Allen.” “I came to Booz Allen to be a part of a team, and I have felt welcome since I walked in the door,” he says. Cleo is also active in the firm’s Military and Veterans Business Resource Group (BRG), a group he especially recommends for employees transitioning to civilian life. “You’re leaving an environment where they tell you what to do all the time, and now you’ve got to figure it out for yourself. The stress is real,” says Cleo. “The people in the BRG know exactly how the journey works.” “Since first meeting Cleo as a junior officer several years ago, I’ve been impressed by his commitment to compassionate leadership and selfless service. I’m excited to see him demonstrate this same commitment in executing our VoLT strategy while ensuring an inclusive and equitable environment for his team,” says Dennis Via, chief engagement executive and executive sponsor of the Military & Veterans BRG.  Building Community and Confidence In his leadership role at Booz Allen, Cleo is focused on paying it forward. “One thing that fuels me and keeps me motivated beyond my day job is mentorship, and being part of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) opportunities and the veterans’ network—anywhere I feel like I have the opportunity to give back,” he says. Mentoring his team members is important work. “Imagine an environment where you sat in your cubicle every day and could never ask for advice or guidance from an experienced leader,” Cleo suggests. “There were no mentors to address your cultural challenges. You felt like no one understood your journey.” “I want minority employees to see leaders who share their backgrounds and experiences,” he says. Employees can achieve confidence through what they see.” Cleo recalls his father’s experience in the 1950s. “Just because President Truman signed the order, it wasn’t like the next day things were integrated,” he says. “There were still people who held on to those views of segregation and didn’t want people to be treated equally. My dad experienced that firsthand.” An Urgent Call Today in 2023, the mission remains clear. “Racism still exists,” he says. “I think it depends on each one of us, no matter what your skin color is, to make sure that segregation dies.” “People are the reason I was able to be a part of the military and advance to the rank I did,” Cleo reflects. “I want to pay tribute to the people in the past who really took it on the chin to desegregate the armed forces and the government community as a whole. I want people today to understand that it’s everybody’s responsibility that it stays integrated and fair to everyone.”