When I was 12, I decided I wanted to be a lawyer. Once I became one, I discovered that combining business acumen with my love of the law is the most challenging and fun aspect of the role. I love sitting in the middle of a business problem, seeing all sides, and trying to craft a creative answer that works.
I’m most passionate about building teams of problem solvers. I love to help people learn new things and progress in their careers. It’s helpful to the business and to the individuals.
Nancy Laben is an executive vice president and the chief legal officer at Booz Allen. She oversees ethics and compliance, and the legal department, as well as corporate affairs, which spans a number of functions including corporate governance, government contract law, employment law, securities law, litigation, investigations, government relations, media relations, corporate social responsibility, and marketing and strategic communications. She is also a member of the firm’s leadership team and on the board of the Booz Allen Foundation.
Nancy previously worked as general counsel and in-house counsel in three other Fortune 500 companies and from three different continents. Given her business focus, she never worked in a law firm but went straight from law school into a corporate legal department.
She is a frequent speaker on the law and diversity, a former commissioner on the American Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession and serves on the board of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. She is also a member of the Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Initiative.
Nancy holds a B.A. in government and East Asian studies, with honors, from Smith College and a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law.
How does your team inspire you? My team inspires me to always try to do better. I need to be a continuous learner, challenging the status quo. I love it when my team is better or faster than I am.
How do you work with your clients to prepare for the future? First, I sit down with them and try to understand their issues and concerns. Often, they can tell you 90 percent of what they’re thinking about if you’re an active listener. I develop a model in my head and then will talk with them again to confirm my thinking. Sometimes, clients only want the short-term answer and it's important that we always consider the long-term approach as well.
What are your three tips for motivating and managing people? Learn who they are as individuals, what motivates them, and why they get up for work every day. Second, always look for the teachable moment. Third, lead by example.
Why is Booz Allen a good place to learn and grow? There’s a sense of purpose here; you feel like you're contributing to something bigger and more important than yourself. You’re encouraged to learn and grow. We're a 100-plus-year-old startup in many respects. There’s a lot to do as we expand into new markets and work with new clients, so we need to always adapt. There’s always a challenge.
What’s the best business advice you’ve received in your career? Don’t show up with just the problem; show up with the problem and a solution.
Where do you see Booz Allen in 100 years? I think we will have redefined what it means to be an essential partner for our clients. We’re going to continue to be the ones they turn to solve their hardest problems.
Booz Allen’s people-focused culture is a cornerstone of our history and how we’re able to create an amazing workplace. Learn more by exploring our current openings.
