Podcast Summary: "Insights from a Tech Leader: Interview with TD Bank's Chief Architect Licinia Rojas"

Cybersecurity Today hosted by Jim Love features an enlightening conversation with Licinia Rojas, Senior Vice President and Chief Architect at TD Bank. Released on April 12, 2025, this episode delves into Licinia's extensive career, her approach to technology and innovation, the importance of company culture, and her insights on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the metaverse. This summary captures the essence of their discussion, highlighting key points, notable quotes, and actionable advice for professionals in the cybersecurity and technology sectors.

1. Introduction to Licinia Rojas

Jim Love opens the episode by introducing Licinia Rojas, emphasizing her role as a top technology leader at TD Bank. He highlights that the conversation extends beyond cybersecurity to encompass innovation and architectural strategies, offering listeners a comprehensive view of leadership in technology.

• Jim Love [00:00]: "It's not strictly about cybersecurity, it's about innovation and architecture."

2. Licinia's Career Journey and Early Influences

Licinia shares her 30-year-long journey in the technology sector, attributing her success to mentors, self-belief, and authentic relationships. She credits her mother's determination to create a better life after immigrating to the U.S. as a foundational influence.

• Licinia Rojas [01:43]: "A lot is great mentors, believing in myself and being authentic, that helped me to get where I am today."

3. Discovering a Passion for Technology

Contrary to actively seeking technology, Licinia explains how it "found her." Her introduction to computer courses in high school piqued her interest, leading her to pursue electrical engineering in university. The collaborative nature of programming and problem-solving solidified her passion.

• Licinia Rojas [02:35]: "Actually, it found me."

Jim echoes the sentiment, appreciating educational programs that open new possibilities, beyond just imparting work skills.

• Jim Love [03:31]: "Isn't it wonderful when you get to a program that opens your eyes to the possibilities?"

4. Navigating Career Transitions and Embracing Learning

Licinia discusses the challenges of transitioning into new roles where she isn't the expert. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, leveraging one's strengths, and setting structured plans to overcome fears associated with stepping out of comfort zones.

• Licinia Rojas [05:44]: "When you change roles and you're not the expert, it can be scary. I think it's one realizing that those are natural emotions."

She advocates for reverse mentoring, where leaders seek guidance from experts in new areas, fostering a culture of continuous learning and curiosity.

• Licinia Rojas [06:54]: "I go to the expert and I say, I want you to mentor me."

5. Building an Inclusive and Empowering Culture

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around creating an inclusive environment where all voices are heard. Licinia shares strategies such as actively facilitating quieter team members to speak and ensuring that experts from underrepresented groups are given the space to contribute.

• Licinia Rojas [10:26]: "There's something that's my commitment to just continuously create an inclusive culture."

She also reflects on personal coaching experiences that taught her to respond succinctly in meetings, enhancing clarity and engagement.

• Licinia Rojas [12:11]: "Answer the question yes or no and then you ask if they want that they want more detail."

6. Modernization Strategy at TD Bank

As Chief Architect, Licinia oversees the bank's modernization strategy, collaborating with business and technology teams to shape future capabilities. She highlights the dynamic nature of her role, particularly with the advent of generative AI, which requires constant reevaluation of roadmaps to integrate new technologies effectively.

• Licinia Rojas [15:14]: "I spend a lot of time with business groups and the technology teams, thinking about the business and technology capabilities that will shape the future of the bank."

7. The Evolution and Relevance of Architectural Roles

Licinia provides insights into the resurgence of architectural roles in technology. She attributes their revival to a shift from being perceived as an "ivory tower" to being outcome-focused and customer-centric, ensuring that architectural plans are practical and aligned with business objectives.

• Licinia Rojas [17:07]: "Architecture...how does it actually turn into an outcome? And I think being outcome focused is very important for architecture."

8. Embracing and Integrating Emerging Technologies

Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

Licinia anticipates a comeback for blockchain and cryptocurrency, especially within the payment industry, despite past ethical challenges.

• Licinia Rojas [31:54]: "I could see blockchain and crypto making its way back after its flounder..."

Metaverse

She foresees the metaverse finding its niche in corporate applications, enhancing learning and interaction modalities.

• Licinia Rojas [31:54]: "We see it already and coming into the corporate world because we see it in the world around us in the consumer sense."

9. Integrating Security with Architecture

Addressing the balance between security and progress, Licinia underscores the necessity of embedding security into the architectural framework from the outset. At TD Bank, security architecture is integrated across application, data, and infrastructure domains, promoting a unified defense strategy.

• Licinia Rojas [33:32]: "Everything always has to be with. Within your risk appetite. So always you want to be secure."

She highlights the importance of automation and layered defenses to maintain security without stifling innovation.

10. Strategic Investment and Modernization Roadmaps

Licinia discusses the critical role of strategic planning in technology investments. Regularly updating modernization roadmaps allows TD Bank to stay agile, ensuring that investments align with current needs and future directions.

• Licinia Rojas [35:06]: "We have a roadmap and we make adjustments every year."

11. Artificial Intelligence: Enhancing Productivity with a Human-Centric Approach

Licinia elaborates on TD Bank's AI strategy, focusing on augmenting human capabilities rather than replacing them. Tools like GitHub Copilot are used to enhance developers' productivity by assisting with code understanding and generation, while keeping the creative decision-making firmly in human hands.

• Licinia Rojas [36:18]: "We don't want to replace that part because the human needs to make the final decision."

12. Overcoming Cynicism and Fostering Engagement in Technical Teams

Acknowledging the inherent cynicism within engineering and programming teams, Licinia shares her approach to busting this mindset through pragmatic, outcome-focused communication and by bringing in external experts to provide fresh perspectives.

• Licinia Rojas [28:55]: "It's about being pragmatic. And I always, in every change or transformation is bringing others along and explaining the journey."

13. Advice for Emerging Technology Professionals

Licinia offers valuable advice for those starting their careers in technology:

• Continuous Learning: "Never stop learning. I would tell you that there's always something to learn and really own your career development plan."

• Seek Mentorship and Build Networks: "Seek out mentors. Be part of a network."

• Overcome Self-Doubt: "Don't let self doubt creep in. Make sure you have those mechanisms because failure is part of it."

She emphasizes the importance of deliberate career planning, mentorship, and resilience in overcoming challenges.

14. Closing Thoughts

The interview concludes with expressions of mutual appreciation, underscoring the depth and value of the conversation. Licinia thanks Jim for providing a platform to share her experiences and insights, reinforcing the importance of giving technology leaders a voice.

• Licinia Rojas [42:43]: "Thank you so much Jim."

Key Takeaways

1. Mentorship and Continuous Learning: Integral to career growth, especially in rapidly evolving fields like technology and cybersecurity.

2. Inclusive Culture: Actively fostering an environment where all team members feel valued and heard enhances innovation and productivity.

3. Strategic Planning: Regularly updating modernization roadmaps ensures alignment with current trends and business objectives.

4. Human-Centric AI: Leveraging AI to augment human capabilities preserves creativity and decision-making while enhancing efficiency.

5. Balancing Security and Innovation: Embedding security within the architectural framework safeguards assets without hindering technological progress.

6. Adaptability: Embracing new technologies and being willing to pivot strategies in response to emerging trends are crucial for sustained success.

This episode of Cybersecurity Today provides a comprehensive look into the multifaceted role of a Chief Architect in a leading financial institution, offering actionable insights for professionals aiming to excel in technology and cybersecurity leadership roles.