The ability to learn, adapt, and grow is more critical than ever—especially for technology leaders. For professionals navigating this dynamic environment, the key to long-term success lies in building a lifelong learning mindset.
For Chitra Phal, Associate Vice President of KYC Engineering at TD Bank Group, this mindset has shaped her career. From deepening her technical expertise through certifications to embracing mentorship and sponsorship in her career progression, she has consistently sought out opportunities to grow.
In this Q&A, Chitra shares how tech professionals can future-proof their careers through upskilling, mentorship, and sponsorship. Her story speaks to the power of continuous learning—proving that investing in skills, building strong networks, and embracing new challenges can open doors to impactful leadership.
Reflecting on your career, what are your thoughts on upskilling and reskilling?
CP: As a leader, I believe learning never stops. Staying close to emerging technology is essential and one way I do this is attending TechCon, an annual internal education conference host by TD, designed to help colleagues expand their tech skills and knowledge. Engaging in these conversations has been invaluable for understanding how TD approaches AI, Cybersecurity, and what’s coming next.
When I look back, I took on more junior roles despite being a Senior Oracle Developer in Mumbai. Instead of seeing this as a setback, I saw it as an opportunity to expand my skill set. I pursued Oracle and Informatica certifications, which not only deepened my expertise but also gave me the confidence to take on stretch assignments beyond my job description.
By continuously investing in my skills, I positioned myself as someone who could identify pain points, become a problem-solver and drive meaningful change. That mindset – adapting, learning and staying ahead – has been key to unlocking new opportunities and making a real impact in every role I’ve taken on.
Now, I have the privilege of leading a team focused on streamlining our Know Your Customer database to deliver better experiences for our prospective, first-time, and existing customers.
How did mentorship support your transition into the Canadian workforce?
CP: Mentorship played a crucial role in my transition into the Canadian workforce. Navigating the professional landscape wasn’t easy, and I leaned on my mentors to help me understand the nuances of workplace culture. One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of self-advocacy. Back home, career progression was based on performance – if you did good work, you got promoted.
In Canada, I realized that taking on new challenges required more than just strong execution, I had to actively express my interest and make my ambitions for growth known. My mentors guided me in building that confidence and helped me understand how to position myself for the roles I wanted. When I was looking for my next opportunity, my network spoke highly of the inclusive culture and emphasis on mentorship at TD. That gave me the assurance that TD would be the right place to develop my leadership skills, take on new challenges and grow in my career.
What role does sponsorship play in advancing your career?
CP: Sponsorship was a turning point in my career. Mentors are great for guidance, but sponsors are the ones who say your name in rooms you’re not in. Some of my mentors naturally became sponsors, advocating for me and pushing for my growth in ways I couldn’t have done alone.
Sponsorship has given me the opportunity to lead complex and high visibility projects—ones that truly tested and proved my abilities. That made all the difference when it came to stepping into more senior roles. You can work hard, but having people who back you when it matters is what really moves the needle.
Chitra has built an impressive career, her relentless dedication to upskilling, strategic leadership and commitment to innovation is the kind of talent we look for at the Bank. Chitra plays a critical role in leading a technology team that focuses on keeping our customers and colleagues safe and I couldn’t be prouder to have her on my team. — Sophia Leung, Executive Vice President, Protect, TD Bank Group.
What do you believe is essential for success in the workplace?
CP: Success in the workplace comes down to three key things; an appetite for continuous learning, strong communication and aligning yourself with a company that carries the same values as your own.
From a technical standpoint, staying ahead means building skills and expertise in areas that are relevant for the jobs of the future. Personally, I look for talent with skills in cloud computing (Azure Cosmo DB), data analytics, event streaming (Kafka), low-code BPM tools (Pega), and programming languages such as Python, Java, Javascript. A solid understanding of microservices, APIs, system integration and data and AI (SQL, NoSQL, machine learning) is also critical. But technical skills alone aren’t enough.
Soft skills are just as important. The ability to present technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, manage and influence without authority and tackle complex challenges through collaboration are all essential. Early in my career in Canada, I took a management training course that was a game changer in helping me manage stakeholders and partners. It gave me the tools to build relationships, align different stakeholders and drive outcomes – skills that became invaluable in managing partners effectively.
Finally, finding a company that aligns with your values makes all the different. The Bank’s culture was a key reason why I joined, and being in an environment that prioritizes employee growth, innovation and inclusion was essential for me to successful in the workplace.