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Resume

Sean
Canady

Technology Officer

Profile

Technology executive with 30 years of experience driving innovation and shaping strategic technology ecosystems that deliver tangible business outcomes. Extensive leadership in managing and scaling high-performing teams, architecting complex systems, and aligning technology solutions with business objectives across the life insurance industry. Deep expertise in digital transformation, AI, data strategy, and enterprise architecture with a track record of leading cross-functional teams to solve complex challenges, optimize processes, and enhance customer experiences.

30+

Years Technology Leadership

From startup IT director to Fortune 100 technology officer

$35M+

Technology Portfolio Oversight

Enterprise platforms, data infrastructure, AI initiatives

15+

Years in Life Insurance Technology

Deep domain expertise in regulated financial services

50+

Technology Professionals Led

Cross-functional teams spanning architecture, data, infrastructure, and security

Themes

Strategic Vision
Professional Ethics
Communication
Independence & Reliability

Recognized for solid strategic view and clear direction for technology teams

Noted for high level of ethical and professional behavior

Praised for solid, useful communication style and reasonable expectations

Known for working independently and delivering results consistently

Experience

New York Life Insurance Company

15 years 9 months

Technology Officer, NYL DirectOct 2024 — Present

Drive a unified technology strategy that balances forward-looking innovation with modernization of legacy systems. Lead evolution in AI and data, empowering both customer engagement and employee productivity. Architect and execute a hybrid compute strategy that delivers agility and cost-efficiency. Oversee cybersecurity and infrastructure with a focus on operational resilience and regulatory alignment ensuring consistent, secure service in a complex, regulated environment.

  • Established AI governance and responsible AI frameworks for the division
  • Architected hybrid compute strategy delivering agility and cost-efficiency
  • Led enterprise AI strategy including GitHub Copilot adoption and agentic AI integration
  • Designed multi-ecosystem AI reference architecture spanning Google Vertex AI, AWS Bedrock, Copilot Studio, and LangSmith
  • Oversaw cybersecurity posture and regulatory readiness across technology portfolio
  • Drove business-aligned technology planning across life insurance services
  • Created enterprise software development standards optimized for AI-assisted development
CVP, Technology Architecture and Data ManagementJun 2010 — Oct 2024

Led technology architecture and data management strategy for the organization, overseeing enterprise architecture, data governance, integration patterns, and technology standards across the division.

  • Led enterprise architecture practice spanning application, data, integration, and infrastructure domains
  • Directed data management strategy including data warehousing and analytics capabilities
  • Established technology standards and governance frameworks for the organization
  • Guided legacy system modernization with customer-centric outcomes
  • Built and scaled high-performing architecture and data management teams

AEGON

9 years 7 months

Integration ManagerAug 2009 — Jun 2010

Led enterprise integration strategy during a pivotal modernization phase, aligning internal and external systems through a standards-based approach (ACORD). Championed event-driven architecture and real-time data delivery to improve business responsiveness. Directed SOA adoption and governance, enhancing agility and consistency across distributed teams.

  • Led enterprise integration strategy using ACORD industry standards
  • Championed event-driven architecture and real-time data delivery
  • Directed SOA adoption and governance across distributed teams
  • Delivered strategic integration capabilities enabling digital transformation and future scalability
Applications ArchitectNov 2007 — Aug 2009

Served as strategic architect bridging enterprise business objectives with technology roadmaps. Defined long-term architecture vision and delivered foundational SOA standards to support transformation initiatives. Guided the implementation of scalable platforms, modernized legacy systems, and mentored cross-functional teams.

  • Defined long-term architecture vision aligned with enterprise strategy
  • Delivered foundational SOA standards supporting transformation initiatives
  • Guided implementation of scalable platforms and legacy modernization
  • Mentored cross-functional teams ensuring technical alignment with business strategy
Technical Manager, MiddlewareDec 2000 — Nov 2007

Managed middleware technology platform and team, supporting enterprise application integration and messaging infrastructure across the organization.

  • Managed enterprise middleware platform supporting business-critical applications
  • Led middleware team through multiple technology evolution cycles
  • Established integration patterns and standards for distributed systems

ECI Software Solutions

3 years 9 months

Director of Information SystemsSep 1996 — May 2000

Built and led all IT operations and infrastructure for a growing ERP/CRM software firm. Managed development of dynamic, data-driven applications while maintaining a secure, high-availability environment. Enabled the company's product evolution through scalable infrastructure and client-focused customization, laying the groundwork for successful acquisition and growth.

  • Built IT operations and infrastructure from the ground up for growing software company
  • Managed development of dynamic, data-driven applications
  • Maintained secure, high-availability production environment
  • Enabled product evolution through scalable infrastructure and client customization
  • Laid groundwork supporting successful company acquisition and growth

TRADE'ex Electronic Commerce Systems, Inc.

3 months

eCommerce DeveloperJul 1996 — Sep 1996

Early career eCommerce development during the emergence of web-based commerce.

Utility Partners

1 year 4 months

Systems AdministratorMar 1995 — Jun 1996

Managed systems administration and IT infrastructure operations.

Recommendations

I was a project manager when Sean and I first worked together directly. At this time, he is one of my customers as a Relationship Manager for AEGON's internal IT department. Sean provides good direction and has a solid strategic view of where he wants his team to go in the future. I enjoyed working with Sean. I find Sean to be intelligent, personable, hard-working and dedicated. Sean is a customer with reasonable expectations and a solid, useful communications style.

E

Elizabeth Boyle, PMP

Worked with Sean on different teams

Sean demonstrates a high level of ethical and professional behavior that I had the benefit of observing. Sean works independently in a successful manner without fail from my experience.

J

John Sage, PMP, CSM

Managed Sean directly

Education

Bachelors in Information Systems

Eckerd College

Certifications

Customer Analytics

University of Pennsylvania

Managing Data Analysis

Coursera

Operations Analytics

The Data Scientist's Toolbox

Competencies

Technology Leadership
Enterprise Architecture
AI & Machine Learning Strategy
Digital Transformation
Data Strategy & Analytics
Cloud Computing
Integration Architecture
Cybersecurity & Risk

Experience by Domain

100%
Technology Leadership
67%
Enterprise Architecture
17%
AI &
67%
Digital Transformation
50%
Data Strategy
67%
Integration Architecture
50%
Life Insurance

Expertise

Cloud Computing10y
Cybersecurity & Risk10y
Agile & SAFe15y
Software Development25y
IT Infrastructure20y