Horacio Rozanski: Leading Booz Allen Hamilton with Vision, Purpose, and Innovation

Horacio Rozanski’s remarkable career at Booz Allen Hamilton began with a single summer internship in 1991. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1968, Rozanski’s childhood was shaped by political turbulence and a culture of repression under a military dictatorship. Raised in a Jewish household that emphasized responsibility and hard work, he learned early the values of perseverance and intellectual freedom—values that would become cornerstones in his leadership philosophy.

The educational environment in Argentina failed to nurture his potential. It was rigid, authoritarian, and ultimately stifling. He and his partner, Cinthia, yearned for an education system that valued merit over connections. That aspiration led them to the United States, where they enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Though their decision was made without much knowledge of the institution, it proved pivotal. Welcomed by a host family and supported by caring peers, Rozanski experienced for the first time the joy of learning in a free society.

Laying the Foundations of a Visionary Career

Graduating with honors in business administration, Rozanski pursued an MBA from the University of Chicago, where he was mentored by Nobel laureates and challenged to think critically. In 1991, he interned at Booz Allen’s Buenos Aires office and joined full time in Cleveland the following year. His plan was to stay for just a few years. Instead, the caliber of the people and purpose-driven work ignited a passion that would span decades.

By 2001, at age 33, Rozanski became a partner. Two years later, he was appointed chief personnel officer, where he began to influence the firm’s culture and talent development practices. His leadership was instrumental during the company’s successful IPO in 2010. Subsequently, he served as chief strategy and talent officer and later as chief operating officer, orchestrating the Vision 2020 strategy that prioritized advanced technology capabilities.

In 2015, Rozanski became CEO of Booz Allen Hamilton. Nearly a decade later, in 2024, he was appointed chairman of the Board of Directors, underscoring his enduring influence and vision.

VoLT Strategy: Accelerating Toward the Future

At the helm of Booz Allen, Rozanski championed the firm’s transformation from a traditional consultancy to a cutting-edge technology powerhouse. He introduced the VoLT growth strategy, a framework built around Velocity, Leadership, and Technology. This strategic direction positions the firm at the epicenter of the United States’ most critical federal missions, providing speed, agility, and innovation to government clients navigating complex challenges.

Under his leadership, Booz Allen Hamilton has expanded its capabilities across cybersecurity, analytics, systems engineering, and AI, becoming indispensable to both public and private sector partners. The company has consistently been ranked among Fortune magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies for eight consecutive years.

Beyond the Boardroom: Commitment to Society

Rozanski’s influence extends well beyond the corporate realm. He serves as chairman of the board for Children’s National Hospital and sits on the boards of Marriott International, the Economic Club of Washington, DC, and the Kennedy Center Corporate Fund. He is also a member of the Business Roundtable and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Committee on Conscience.

His dedication to social causes reflects the same values instilled in him during his upbringing—integrity, responsibility, and education. These commitments were further recognized when he received the prestigious Horatio Alger Award in 2022 for his personal and professional achievements in the face of adversity.

Choosing the Uncharted Path: Lessons in Leadership and Risk

Rather than clinging to the familiar, Horacio Rozanski built his career by embracing uncertainty and learning through new challenges. One pivotal moment came when he was offered a role in human resources—a position that many peers and mentors warned against. They believed it could sideline his career trajectory. But Rozanski saw something others didn’t: an opportunity to stretch his capabilities and gain insight into the people at the core of the organization.

Rozanski has often shared this lesson with young professionals: don’t pursue titles—pursue growth. Career success, he believes, follows those who invest in learning and align themselves with challenges that cultivate new perspectives. The value of each role is measured not by prestige, but by the lessons it imparts and the impact it enables.

Redefining Success: Building a Life of Purpose, Integrity, and Impact

For Horacio Rozanski, success has never been confined to boardroom achievements or corner offices. Raised with a strong emphasis on education, responsibility, and resilience, Rozanski’s values were shaped by his family’s experiences and struggles. As descendants of European Jews forced to flee their homes, his family viewed knowledge as the one possession that could never be taken away. This early belief in the transformative power of education fueled his lifelong passion for learning.

Even as CEO, Rozanski finds meaning in maintaining a balanced life. His proudest achievements are not limited to leading a Fortune 500 company but include becoming a U.S. citizen, raising a family with values, and contributing meaningfully to communities. As chairman of Children’s National Hospital and an active member of several boards, his commitment to giving back reflects a deep understanding of leadership as service.

Rozanski stands as a leader who plays the long game—measuring success by how he uplifts others, how he holds true to his values, and how he leaves each space better than he found it.