Ghada Ijam, Chief Information Officer, Recognized Among Virginia’s Top Women in Leadership

Ghada Ijam, chief information officer for the Federal Reserve System, has been recognized as one of Virginia Business’ Top Women in Leadership for 2023.

As System CIO, Ghada leads the technology and cybersecurity teams that deliver technology solutions and support to the entire Federal Reserve System. From her office at the Richmond Fed, Ghada partners with technology leaders across all 12 Reserve Banks as well as the Fed’s national business lines to shape the Fed’s digital future.

An experienced IT leader, Ghada has more than 20 years of delivering results through leading complex initiatives and running IT like a business. Prior to joining the Fed in 2017 as chief operating officer for National IT, the Fed’s technology organization, she served as chief information officer and executive IT leader at the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) where she led the company’s customer experience, digital and data analytics strategies and IT centralization efforts. She has also held similar roles at Intel, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Since becoming System CIO in January 2020, Ghada has developed a technology strategy built on driving collaboration, innovation and greater diversity in the field — and she regularly leads by example on all fronts. As executive sponsor of the Fed’s Women in Technology employee advocacy group, she heads a cross-functional team focused on the advancement of women in technology roles across the Federal Reserve System.

“The biggest reward — and responsibility — is being a role model for up-and-coming women leaders,” Ghada shared in her Virginia Business profile. “Women leaders will always be challenged with achieving the balance between life and work, and to do that well, we must start by being kind to ourselves and allowing ourselves room to grow.”

Congratulations to Ghada on her well-deserved award!