I am Sanjay K. Mohindroo, currently based in New York, NY, and serving as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at US SC, where I oversee global IT operations. With over 30 years of experience in Information Technology and digital transformation,
I specialize in leading large-scale infrastructure projects, optimizing IT strategies, and fostering innovation across diverse industries. Throughout my career, I have held senior leadership roles such as Executive Vice President and Group CIO, where I have driven operational efficiency, reduced costs, and led teams across the globe to achieve organizational success.
I began my IT journey over 30 years ago as a Program Manager at IBM, gaining foundational experience in software development. My career progressed at GE as Head of IT, where I integrated IT systems across sales offices and plants, overseeing ERP implementation.
A significant milestone was my role as VP of IT at JPMorgan Chase, where I improved IT efficiency and streamlined operations. This led to my position as Executive Vice President at a technology consulting firm, managing infrastructure centers in Kuala Lumpur, India, and the Philippines, overseeing 15,000 servers and achieving substantial cost savings.
As Group CIO for a large industrial conglomerate in the Middle East, I managed over 300 IT professionals, reducing operating costs by $1.2 million. Now, as CIO at US SC, I oversee global IT operations, focusing on security, availability, and efficiency. Each role has strengthened my technical and leadership capabilities in IT management.
Key milestones:
Program Manager at IBM
VP of IT at JPMorgan Chase
EVP/Country Manager at a tech consulting firm
Group CIO of a large industrial conglomerate
Current CIO of US SC
While I have always been driven by a passion for technology and innovation, my career vision has evolved over time. In the early stages of my journey, my focus was on mastering technical skills and understanding how IT systems could solve complex business challenges. Starting as a Program Manager at IBM, I wasn’t initially aiming for a C-level role; instead, I was motivated by the desire to lead impactful projects and deliver tangible results in IT.
As I progressed through leadership roles at GE and JPMorgan Chase, my vision expanded. I realized the transformative power of IT not just within departments but across entire organizations. This realization inspired me to take on larger responsibilities, such as managing global infrastructure, driving digital transformations, and creating innovative solutions that align IT with business goals. By the time I took on roles like Executive Vice President and Group CIO, it became clear that guiding organizations through strategic IT leadership was not just a career path—it had become my passion.
So while my original vision may not have been as clear, over time, my experience in solving complex IT challenges and leading teams globally sharpened my goal to become a technology leader. My current role as Chief Information Officer was a natural culmination of that vision, allowing me to lead on a global scale, drive innovation, and shape the future of IT within organizations.
Have you had a role model or mentor that has helped you on your journey? (If you feel comfortable, please share their name and how they helped you)
Yes, I have been fortunate to have mentors and role models throughout my journey who have significantly influenced my growth as a leader. While I’ve learned from various individuals, one mentor who truly shaped my perspective was a former senior executive I worked with during my time at JPMorgan Chase. His approach to leadership was inspiring—he taught me the importance of combining technical expertise with strategic thinking and how to navigate the complexities of large organizations.
He emphasized the value of long-term vision and the need for operational efficiency, which helped me refine my ability to balance innovation with cost-effectiveness. One of his key lessons was the importance of fostering cross-functional collaboration, which later became a pivotal part of my strategy in every role I held. His mentorship encouraged me to think beyond just IT solutions and focus on how technology could drive business transformation at a global scale.
Although I’d prefer not to share names, his guidance, particularly in dealing with high-pressure environments and complex decisions, provided me with the confidence and mindset needed to move into senior executive roles.
How do you see the role of the technology leader evolving over the next 5 years?
The role of technology leaders will significantly transform over the next five years, evolving into strategic partners and drivers of innovation. Key areas of change include:
Strategic Business Partner: Future leaders will align technology with business goals, influencing key decisions and leveraging emerging technologies like AI and blockchain.
Champion of Innovation: They will lead digital transformation, fostering a culture of innovation and balancing risk with operational stability.
Cybersecurity Leader: As guardians of data privacy, they will implement proactive risk management and ensure compliance with regulations.
Agile Workforce Enabler: Leaders will create secure infrastructures for remote work, promoting seamless collaboration.
Data-Driven Decision Makers: They will harness data analytics to drive growth and optimize operations.
Sustainability Advocate: Leaders will promote green IT practices to align with corporate responsibility.
Talent Developer: They will build diverse, cross-functional teams, investing in continuous learning.
In summary, technology leaders will become visionary strategists, driving innovation and adaptability in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
Future technology leaders will require a diverse set of skills to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape:
Strategic Thinking: Leaders must anticipate trends and leverage emerging technologies to align initiatives with business goals.
Adaptability: Agility is essential; leaders must pivot quickly to embrace changes in technology and customer expectations.
Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and motivating diverse teams will be key to driving performance and fostering collaboration.
Data Literacy: Leaders should be adept at analyzing data to make informed, growth-driven decisions.
Cybersecurity Awareness: Understanding cybersecurity principles and risk management will be crucial to protect organizational assets.
Digital Proficiency: A foundational knowledge of technologies like AI, cloud computing, and IoT is essential for informed decision-making.
Innovative Problem-Solving: Creativity and a willingness to experiment will drive disruptive solutions and foster innovation.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Breaking down silos and leading multidisciplinary teams will enhance alignment with broader business goals.
Sustainability Focus: Leaders should integrate sustainable practices and ethical standards into technology initiatives.
Continuous Learning: Embracing a growth mindset and fostering a culture of continuous development is vital for adapting to change.
Resilience: Staying calm during crises and guiding teams through uncertainty will be crucial for maintaining stability.
Customer-Centric Mindset: Leaders must ensure technology decisions prioritize customer value and experience.
By honing these skills, future leaders will be well-equipped to drive organizational success in a dynamic business environment.
Looking toward the future, I have several career aspirations:
C-Suite Leadership: I aim to expand my influence as a CIO, aspiring to roles like CTO or CDO to drive technological innovation and digital transformation.
Digital Transformation: I want to lead large-scale initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and create new revenue streams, leveraging emerging technologies like AI and blockchain.
Mentorship and Thought Leadership: I aspire to be a recognized thought leader and mentor, sharing insights and developing talent in the tech space.
Sustainability: Promoting sustainable practices in technology operations is a priority, focusing on green IT initiatives.
Continuous Learning: I am committed to lifelong learning, particularly in AI and machine learning, to stay ahead in technology.
Inclusive Environments: I seek to foster diversity and inclusion within tech teams to drive innovation.
Entrepreneurial Ventures: I am interested in launching a tech start-up that addresses critical business challenges.
Global Impact: I aspire to support technological development in emerging markets, helping organizations leverage technology for growth.
By pursuing these goals, I aim to make meaningful contributions to my organizations and the broader community.
For aspiring technology leaders, here are key pieces of advice to navigate your career:
Embrace a Growth Mindset: Stay open to learning and view challenges as growth opportunities.
Develop Strong Technical Skills: Gain hands-on experience in programming, data analysis, and cybersecurity to enhance your credibility.
Cultivate Emotional Intelligence: Build relationships through empathy, active listening, and effective communication.
Seek Out Mentorship: Find mentors for guidance and support in navigating challenges.
Build a Strong Network: Attend events and connect with peers to open doors to new opportunities.
Focus on Communication: Articulate ideas clearly and engage diverse stakeholders.
Embrace Collaboration: Value teamwork and foster an inclusive environment.
Take Initiative: Proactively seek new challenges and responsibilities.
Understand Business Context: Align technology initiatives with organizational goals.
Stay Resilient and Adaptable: Embrace uncertainty and learn to pivot as needed.
Focus on Problem-Solving: Approach challenges creatively and encourage innovation.
Set Clear Goals: Establish career objectives and seek regular feedback for continuous improvement.
By blending technical expertise, emotional intelligence, and effective communication, you’ll lay a strong foundation for success as a leader in the tech industry.
"Embrace a Growth Mindset."
One of my biggest challenges occurred as Executive Vice President at a technology consulting firm while leading a major digital transformation for a client migrating legacy systems to cloud infrastructure. Resistance to change from stakeholders accustomed to the old systems complicated the process, and the aggressive timeline raised concerns about potential disruptions.
To overcome this, I built trust by engaging key stakeholders and addressing their concerns. I communicated the vision through workshops, highlighting efficiency gains and cost savings. I created a cross-functional team to tackle complexities and adopted a phased approach for testing. Encouraging continuous feedback helped us adapt quickly.
Ultimately, we completed the migration on time and within budget, improving operational efficiency and reducing costs. This experience reinforced the importance of leadership, communication, and collaboration in navigating complex projects.
Emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, blockchain, and IoT are set to transform the tech industry.
AI and Machine Learning: These technologies enhance data analysis and decision-making. I’m investing in courses and pilot projects to integrate AI solutions, collaborating with data scientists to align strategies.
Blockchain: This offers secure, transparent transactions, crucial in finance and supply chain. I participate in workshops and explore partnerships to identify use cases and enhance security.
IoT: IoT enables real-time data collection, and optimizing operations. I’m implementing IoT solutions and focusing on data integration.
Cybersecurity: As these technologies grow, robust security is vital. I advocate for ongoing training and invest in advanced security solutions.
By adapting to these trends, I aim to leverage their potential for strategic growth and operational excellence.
Measuring and communicating the value of technology initiatives is crucial for alignment, buy-in, and ROI. Here’s my approach:
Define Objectives and KPIs: Establish clear goals aligned with business objectives and relevant KPIs for tangible impact measurement.
Use Data-Driven Insights: Leverage analytics to track performance and provide before-and-after comparisons to illustrate effectiveness.
Develop a Business Case: Create a comprehensive business case outlining benefits, costs, and ROI calculations.
Regular Progress Reports: Share updates, successes, and challenges through structured reports to keep stakeholders informed.
Engage Stakeholders Early: Involve stakeholders from the beginning and seek feedback throughout the project.
Align with Business Strategy: Show how initiatives support organizational goals and long-term vision.
Leverage Visual Communication: Use charts and storytelling to make complex data digestible.
Celebrate Achievements: Recognize contributions and share lessons learned to foster a positive culture.
By adopting these strategies, I ensure technology initiatives are recognized as valuable assets driving organizational success.
One of my most significant achievements as a technology leader was successfully leading a large-scale digital transformation initiative while serving as the Executive Vice President at a major technology consulting firm. We migrated a client's legacy systems to a cloud-based infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency and driving substantial cost savings.
This project involved overcoming resistance to change, fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, and implementing a phased approach to minimize disruption. By establishing clear objectives and KPIs, we achieved a 30% reduction in operational costs and improved system availability to 99.9%.
The proudest moment came when the client reported a significant increase in customer satisfaction and operational agility. This success not only reinforced the strategic value of technology but also solidified my belief in the power of collaboration and innovation in driving meaningful change. It was a testament to the impact of effective leadership in technology initiatives.
A big thank you to Sanjay K Mohindroo from US SC for sharing his journey to date.
If you would like to gain more perspective from Tech Leaders and CIOs you can read some of our other interviews here.