Career Advice
Building People, Not Just Careers
Why Clearance Still Matters
Advice to the Next Generation To those just entering the cleared workforce, Gwen offers heartfelt guidance: “Understand the why behind the work. Protect your clearance—not just with your actions, but with your mindset. And never lose sight of the honor it is to serve.” Her final message is simple, yet profound: “We are all better together. And when we show up for one another, when we care deeply—not just about the work, but about the people doing it—that’s when the mission is truly accomplished.”
You can be on medication. You can take care of yourself and still serve this country with your security clearance. professionals should aspire to. She also addresses a common stigma head-on: “It is okay to not be okay,” she says. As someone who’s maintained a clearance for over three decades, Gwen sees it not just as access—but as a responsibility. “Clearance isn’t a title, it’s trust. We are trusted partners because of how we carry ourselves. There’s real pride in that, and it’s something young
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Gwen’s leadership is deeply human. She acknowledges the pressures of the cleared world and emphasizes wellness, balance, and mental health just as much as professional performance. Whether it’s encouraging walks during the workday, playing music during her commute, or hosting team socials, she knows that connection is key. “We were made to be interactive,” she says. “Every meeting we hold starts with a ‘Culture of Caring’ moment. We want people to feel safe, seen, and supported—whether they’re in the room or on the other side of the world.”
Building Strong Teams in Today’s World
A t Amentum, culture isn’t a buzzword—it’s a commitment. Few exemplify that more than Gwen Clavon, a powerhouse leader with over 35 years of cleared service who radiates purpose, passion, and people-first leadership. Clearance Jobs recently sat down with Gwen and she shared her story and some advice around how important people are these days. A Heart for Technology, a Mind for Service Gwen’s journey began at UMBC, took a detour through the finance world, and quickly landed her in the heart of innovation: supporting communications and systems engineering for the Air Force, and later, network development at the National Science Foundation. There, she worked on what would become known as the “internet”—an experience she still calls one of the “coolest” of her life. But Gwen’s real fuel? People. “I’ve been fortunate to always land in places where people liked my work ethic, appreciated my passion, and gave me the chance to rise—even when I didn’t think I could,” she says. “Every step I took was because someone saw something in me. That’s what leadership is: seeing potential and helping others believe in it.” The Power of the Team Gwen’s leadership philosophy is clear: the mission doesn’t happen without the team. “There’s no ‘me,’ it’s all of us. If one of us fails, we all do. If one wins, we all celebrate.” Whether it’s setting up travel, coordinating logistics, or leading a mission-critical system integration, Gwen believes everyone at Amentum plays a vital role—and deserves to be recognized for it. She rejects the notion of being “just” anything.
Culture of Care in Action In today’s fast-paced cleared world, Gwen emphasizes the importance of showing up fully—and encouraging others to do the same. “You can’t leave a part of yourself behind and expect to love what you do. We do critical work supporting national security. You’ve got to bring your whole self—mind, heart, energy.” That authenticity shows in the way she manages her teams. “Even when we’ve had to deliver tough news—whether we lost a contract or a team member—I always remind people that endings are just new chapters. Our mission continues, and so does our commitment to each other.” You’re never just an analyst or just a coordinator. You’re a key part of something bigger. Own that.
18 MAY 2025 | NATSEC@WORK Powererd by ClearanceJobs
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NATSEC@WORK Powererd by ClearanceJobs | MAY 2025
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