In this episode of “Humble Beginnings,” we sit down with Brandy Durham, vice president of MANTECH’s Data and AI Practice, as she shares of her upbringing in South Texas, and how her family’s history of carpentry and military service instilled a strong work ethic and adaptability that shaped her career path. Growing up in a family of builders and as the first person in her family to go to college, Durham learned the value of creating something from nothing and supporting clients and employees alike. This eventually led her to a successful career in government contracting despite not taking a direct path.
Tune in to hear how Durham initially considered a law career but switched to political science after 9/11 to address national issues, inspired by her family’s military service. She chose a master’s degree over a Ph.D. and started at the Drug Enforcement Administration, learning the value of collaboration. Later, she advanced through roles at IBM and MANTECH, navigating complex AI challenges to help clients achieve real-world outcomes.