IT Project Leadership & Digital Transformation

Imiru
Degu

Senior IT Project Manager specializing in financial services transformation, AI/ML governance, and enterprise program delivery across complex, regulated environments.

PMP PMI-CPMAI PMI-ACP CISA AWS-CCP ITIL
Imiru Degu — IT Project Manager
10+ Years Experience
44 Concurrent Projects
1,800+ Branches Served
About

Enterprise Experience.
California Roots.

Career Timeline
  • 2023 – Present
    IT Project Consultant
    ID Tech Consulting
  • 2019 – 2023
    VP / Deputy VP, PMO
    Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
  • 2015 – 2019
    ICT Advisor to the President
    Dashen Bank SC & MIDROC Ethiopia
  • 2009 – 2015
    Datacenter Specialist & IT Auditor
    WIT PLC
  • 2000 – 2008
    IT Engineer
    Imperial Capital LLC — Los Angeles, CA
Education
B.S. Information Systems & Marketing Management
California State University, Los Angeles
Minor in Economics

I am a Los Angeles-based IT Project Manager and consultant with over a decade of enterprise experience delivering mission-critical technology programs for large, complex organizations — including one of Africa's largest banking institutions.

My career spans core banking transformations, enterprise data migrations, SAP ERP implementations, cybersecurity programs, and AI/ML governance frameworks. I've managed 44 concurrent IT projects across 1,800+ branches, led cross-functional teams of 50+ members, and delivered programs contributing to $500M+ in organizational impact — all within highly regulated, compliance-driven environments.

Prior to my international banking career, I spent eight years in Los Angeles financial services at Imperial Capital LLC, where I built the operational IT foundation that grounds my understanding of U.S. market standards, regulatory expectations, and client-service culture.

Today, through ID Tech Consulting, I bring that global enterprise depth to U.S. financial institutions and public sector agencies navigating their next wave of digital transformation — whether that's cloud migration, AI adoption, core system modernization, or IT governance improvement.

"Replacing the engine of a plane mid-flight — that is what core banking transformation across 1,800 branches feels like. The discipline it demands is exactly what I bring to every engagement."

— Imiru Degu

How I Can Help
Your Organization

Focused engagements for financial institutions and public sector agencies that need experienced IT leadership — not generalist consulting.

IT Portfolio & PMO Leadership

Establishing and optimizing Program Management Offices, governing multi-million-dollar IT portfolios, and delivering enterprise programs on time and under budget.

Portfolio Governance PMO Setup KPI Frameworks
Core Banking & Digital Transformation

End-to-end program management for core banking implementations, digital channel launches, and legacy modernization — with zero-disruption delivery methodology.

Core Banking Digital Channels Legacy Migration
AI/ML Project Governance

Developing responsible AI adoption roadmaps, model risk management frameworks, and governance structures tailored for regulated financial and public sector environments.

PMI-CPMAI Model Risk AI Roadmaps
IT Audit & Compliance Readiness

Preparing organizations for IT audits, strengthening cybersecurity posture, and building compliance frameworks aligned to CISA, ISO 27001, NIST, and ITIL standards.

CISA ISO 27001 NIST
Cloud Migration & Infrastructure

Planning and overseeing cloud migration programs (Azure, AWS), data center modernization, and infrastructure transformation with rigorous risk and change management.

AWS Azure Data Center
Vendor & Contract Management

Structuring vendor ecosystems, negotiating SLAs, and managing multi-supplier IT contracts to ensure accountability, quality, and measurable cost optimization.

SLA Governance Procurement Cost Savings
Credentials

Certified. Verified. Current.

All credentials are active and verifiable on my Credly profile.

PMP
Project Management Professional
PMI
PMI-CPMAI
Certified Professional in Managing AI
PMI — Nov 2025
PMI-ACP
Agile Certified Practitioner
PMI — Feb 2025
PMI-PBA
Professional in Business Analysis
PMI
CISA
Certified Information Systems Auditor
ISACA
AWS-CCP
Certified Cloud Practitioner
Amazon Web Services
ITIL
ITIL Foundation
AXELOS
MCSE
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert
Microsoft
Insights

Thought Leadership

Practical perspectives on IT project management, financial services transformation, and AI governance — drawn from real enterprise experience.

5 Lessons from Implementing Core Banking Across 1,800 Branches That Apply to U.S. Financial Institutions Today

What does it take to replace the technology powering 1,800+ branches without a single moment of unplanned downtime? Stakeholder architecture, data archaeology, vendor relationships built under pressure, Agile translated for banking — and a warning about AI governance that every U.S. institution needs to hear now.

AI Governance · Banking
Why AI Governance in Financial Services Is Not a Future Problem

The OCC, CFPB, and Federal Reserve are already publishing guidance. Institutions building frameworks now will be positioned far ahead of those treating AI as a pilot.

IT Audit · Compliance
SSDLC vs. IT Auditing: Where They Converge and Why It Matters

The intersection of secure software development and IT audit functions is where most enterprise risk hides — and where most organizations are least prepared.

Coming soon: "What U.S. Banks Can Learn from Africa's Fastest-Growing Digital Banking Markets"

Coming soon: "Agile in a Regulated Environment: How to Make It Work Without Breaking Compliance"

Contact

Let's Start a Conversation

Whether you're exploring a consulting engagement, discussing a leadership opportunity, or simply want to exchange ideas on financial services technology — I welcome the conversation. Based in Los Angeles and available for engagements across California and beyond.

Location Los Angeles, California