Mike Clifford has been entrenched in the Austin community since arriving here in 1997. Previously in the executive suites at Whole Foods and Dell, he now finds himself the Executive Vice President of Business Transformation at University Federal Credit Union. “Technically, I ‘retired’ ten years ago… clearly it didn’t stick,” says Mike with a laugh. After speaking with Mike, it seems that the reason for that is simple: there is too much meaningful work to do. “I see this second career as my ‘purpose career’,” Mike explains. “I believe all of my previous work helped prepare me for what I’m doing now.” And what he’s doing now is significant — in addition to serving as Chair of CASA of Travis County's Board of Directors this year, Mike is on the board of Goodwill and participates in the Social Venture Partner Group advising local nonprofits.
“Technically, I ‘retired’ ten years ago… clearly it didn’t stick,” says Mike with a laugh. After speaking with Mike, it seems that the reason for that is simple: there is too much meaningful work to do.
Originally from the Bronx, Mike has five brothers and sisters. “As the oldest, I felt a lot of pressure to strive and achieve from my parents,” he shares. But that pressure helped motivate Mike to work his way through Columbia University where he earned a Liberal Arts degree and was a full-time track athlete. “Believe it or not, I earned enough money selling beer and concessions at Madison Square Garden to pay my debt in full the day I graduated,” Mike smiles.
Mike went to a Catholic high school where the students and their families mostly knew each other from within the community. So Mike remembers that whenever a new student showed up, it was always noticeable. “And it was even more noticeable when they left. It took me a long while to realize that many of those kids were in the foster care system. To this day, I still wonder where they went and what happened to them.”
Mike also remembers those classmates having advocates, though at the time he didn’t know what their roles were. Over the years, Mike began to hear about CASA and meet volunteers.
Mike also remembers those classmates having advocates, though at the time he didn’t know what their roles were. Over the years, Mike began to hear about CASA and meet volunteers. “It was the wife of my boss at Dell, Stephanie, who finally helped me get involved. She was a board member and volunteer and so incredibly passionate about CASA. I knew it was time to be a part of it.” Mike has now served 8 years on the board. In that time, he has held the position of Treasurer and now, Chair.
Mike points out that it’s in his current job description to “be in service to the community,” and he believes that’s why this role has been such a good fit. Mike has plans to step down from his position this spring, but he still avoids the word “retirement.” In his words, “I am transitioning into full-time community volunteering and advisement, allowing me to be even more involved in amazing nonprofits like CASA.”
Mike firmly believes that “engagement matters. And it will look different for everyone. But change will only happen when each of us realize we are part of a community and generously act on that knowledge.”
Mike recently spoke at our CASAblanca Gala and shared in depth about his passion for CASA’s work. Specifically, Mike has a heart for CASA’s work to help young adults aging out of the child welfare system to have the training, resources, and support they need to thrive on their own. And as he said in his speech that evening, Mike firmly believes that “engagement matters. And it will look different for everyone. But change will only happen when each of us realize we are part of a community and generously act on that knowledge.”
