ManTech Podcast Episode 3
Aloha ManTech with Hannah Clifford: ManTech’s Strategic Partnerships
In this episode of Aloha ManTech, we “talk story” with a Hawaii girl from Kauai -- Hannah Clifford, the Senior Executive Director for Strategic Partnerships at ManTech, who shared her journey from growing up in Kauai to her current role.
She emphasized the importance of mentorship, building relationships, and leveraging technology in the workplace, particularly for attracting new talent.
In addition, Byron Leong provided updates on ManTech Hawaii’s new Center for Innovation and Partnership, highlighting its collaborative space and upcoming events.
Topics Discussed:
Introduction [00:00 – 00:42]
Ian Kitajima welcomes everyone to the podcast and introduces the special guest, Hannah Clifford, along with Byron Leong, the executive director for Man Tech Hawaii.
Updates on the New Center [00:43 – 03:00]
Byron Leong shares updates about the newly opened Center for Innovation and Partnership, named “Kumaumau,” which aims to foster collaboration among organizations.
He mentions upcoming events, including a class for engineers, a hackathon hosted by Microsoft for the Marines, and a team-building event by the College of Engineering.
The center will have collaborative spaces, large TV monitors, and a conference room available for community use.
Guest Introduction [03:05 – 04:35]
Ian introduces Hannah Clifford, highlighting her role as the senior executive director for strategic partnerships at ManTech.
Hannah expresses gratitude for being on the show and emphasizes the importance of representation as a local girl from Kauai.
Lucky, the cat, makes another guest appearance!
Hannah’s Background [04:36 – 08:30]
Hannah shares her upbringing on Kauai, discussing her family’s financial struggles and the importance of community and outdoor activities during her childhood.
She recounts moving to Honolulu for high school and the impact of her mentors, particularly her tennis coach, on her development.
After high school, she moved to Manhattan and later attended West Point, where she was recruited for the tennis team.
Experiences at West Point [08:30 – 16:00]
Hannah describes the culture shock of moving from Hawaii to the East Coast and the unique bonds formed with fellow students from Hawaii.
She discusses the challenges of attending West Point, including rigorous academics and physical demands, and the life lessons learned there.
Military Career [16:00 – 19:00]
After graduating from West Point, Hannah served in Korea and later in Hawaii, where she faced challenges as one of the first women in an air defense battalion.
She shares a humorous anecdote about creating a sign for gender-specific bathrooms due to the lack of facilities.
Transition to Tech and Business [19:00 – 26:00]
Hannah transitioned to Silicon Valley, working at Cisco Systems, being in venture capital, and later starting her own consulting company.
She emphasizes the importance of networking and mentorship throughout her career.
Current Role at Man Tech [26:03 – 29:22]
In her current role at ManTech, Hannah focuses on strategic partnerships with major companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, aiming to leverage commercial technology for government needs.
She highlights the importance of adapting to the digital experiences expected by new employees in the workforce.
Advice for Students [29:22 – 29:30]
Hannah encourages students to seek mentorship and build networks, emphasizing that many professionals are willing to share their experiences.
She stresses the importance of understanding the tools and technologies used in the industry, particularly the differences between Google and Microsoft products among new interns.
Closing Remarks [29:30 – 31:06]
Byron asks Hannah for her top three places to find poke in Hawaii, to which she responds with personal favorites and local recommendations.
Ian concludes the episode by thanking Hannah and Byron for their contributions.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Hannah Clifford directly at Hannah.Clifford@ManTech.us