Brandy Durham
Chief Data and AI Officer, MANTECH
Brandy Durham has led the charge to bring together MANTECH and Elder Research into one unified data and AI practice. This integration combines deep expertise and innovative capabilities with mission scale to help clients move from ideas to practical, working solutions, she said.
Creating MANTECH’s Overlapping Resource Tool, which uses AI to help identify duplicative software across the enterprise, is one way the company has recently helped streamline client operations, reduce cybersecurity risks and uncover significant cost savings, she said.
“It’s a practical example of how data and AI can help agencies make smarter decisions with the resources they already have,” Durham said.
Why Watch
“Brandy has been instrumental in bringing together MANTECH’s strengths to accelerate how we deliver data and AI capabilities for our clients,” said MANTECH CEO and President Matt Tait. “Her leadership reflects exactly what our clients need: the ability to understand the mission, execute with technical depth and bring practical solutions forward that help organizations make better decisions and achieve measurable results.”
In 2026, Durham’s team is building a commercial-first, mission-focused portfolio centered on MANTECH’s Seeing It Solved approach. That means helping clients spot the real issues behind their toughest data challenges, clinch the execution with experienced teams who can move solutions from concept to operation, and bring everyone along through the training and support needed for adoption, she said. That focus helps clients make better decisions, act faster and see measurable results from their data and AI investments, Durham said.
“I have the privilege of leading an extraordinary team of technologists and mission experts who are passionate about helping clients solve real problems,” Durham said. “The best solutions are driven by strong partnerships with our clients, commercial innovators and the universities helping develop the next generation of talent. Together, we’re focused on turning data and AI into practical capabilities that make a meaningful difference.”
Fun fact: Durham is a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a discipline she has practiced passionately since age 8. It has taught her perseverance, focus and the value of lifelong lessons she brings to her work in data and AI innovation.