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Gilda Saeed

@gildasaeed

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Senior cybersecurity leader advancing human risk management through data-driven awareness programs.

Zimbabwe

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead data-driven cybersecurity programs—especially human risk management, phishing simulation, and security awareness—while owning enterprise platforms end to end. I want cross-functional leadership, strong governance, and measurable impact on risk reduction.

I’m a Senior Cybersecurity Leader with extensive experience in Human Risk Management, security awareness, and enterprise platform ownership. I lead cybersecurity programs such as phishing simulations, threat mitigation, and user behavior analytics to reduce human risk exposure.

In my current role as a Senior Manager, Software Development at RBC, I deliver enterprise-wide cybersecurity awareness and phishing simulation programs, strengthening organizational resilience with data-driven insights. I also led development of AI-driven solutions, including intelligent automation tools and scalable data platforms that support advanced analytics and high-performance systems.

I operate at the intersection of execution and governance: I act as Application Custodian to ensure compliance with security policies, regulatory standards, and risk controls. I serve as Product Owner for the enterprise Human Risk Management platform—owning strategy, operations, continuous improvement, dashboards, reporting, and senior-leadership risk communications.

Previously, I led finance IT development teams through the full SDLC and Agile delivery using Jira, mentoring junior developers while contributing to design, coding, testing, and code reviews. Earlier roles focused on designing and building database and ETL solutions (Oracle PL/SQL, Java, Python, and DataStage), including migrating over 600 batch jobs to a new scheduling platform (Tidal → Stonebranch).

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Senior Manager, Software Development

Current

RBC

Mar 2022 - Present (4 years 1 month)

Delivered enterprise cybersecurity awareness and phishing simulation programs, reducing human risk exposure. Developed AI-driven automation and analytics platform capabilities, provided risk/behavioral insights to senior leadership, and ensured application custody and compliance with security policies and regulatory standards.

Human Risk Management Automation Security Governance Compliance Vendor Management

Team Lead, Finance IT

RBC

Mar 2015 - Mar 2022 (7 years)

Led development and delivery of complex financial applications and UI components across the full SDLC, incorporating AI-driven insights and automation. Managed Agile delivery with Jira, used DevOps tooling for CI/CD, and mentored junior developers through system design, coding, testing, and code reviews.

SDLC Agile Delivery Jira DevOps CI CD GitHub Nexus Microgen Aptitude Workflow Automation

Senior Technical Systems Analyst

RBC

Mar 2010 - Jun 2015 (5 years 3 months)

Designed and developed business rules and database solutions using Oracle PL/SQL, Java, and Python. Delivered finance and ETL projects (IBM DataStage, Microgen Aptitude), supported production batch processing, and migrated over 600 batch jobs to a new scheduling platform to improve operational stability.

Oracle PL SQL Java Python IBM DataStage Microgen Aptitude ETL Data Modeling Batch Processing Job Scheduling Migration

Oracle Consultant

Manulife Financial

Jul 2008 - Feb 2010 (1 year 7 months)

Designed data models, architectures, and database solutions for enterprise applications, including complex financial report development. Created data dictionaries and DDL documentation, and built prototypes using PL/SQL, UNIX Shell, and SQR to validate technical solutions and improve system design.

Data Modeling Database Architecture Pl SQL Enterprise Reporting DDL Documentation Prototyping

Senior Programmer Analyst

Citi

Jul 2006 - Jun 2008 (1 year 11 months)

Developed data warehouse solutions for mutual fund systems using dimensional modeling and designed ETL processes with star-schema data mapping. Optimized SQL/PLSQL performance, built database objects (tables, views, indexes, triggers), and created financial/operational reports including NAV calculations while mentoring junior developers.

Dimensional Models Star Schemas Data Warehousing SQL NAV Calculation Data Mapping ETL Processes Mentorship