Episode 302: Soul to Soul Session with Ria Aiken

A trailblazer. A leader. An embodiment of resilience. These are all words used to describe a true change-maker, Ria Aiken, a renown Technology and Security Director and D&I Advocate as she works to drive digital transformation. Together, Ria and co-host, Myra Herring, peel back the layers of Ria's personal journey from her childhood abroad to soaring into an unknown career of technology and security. Ria's story is one of self-discovery, getting comfortable with pivoting and ultimately how to become at peace with ourselves. Driving from the inspiration of her Great Aunt Pauli Murray, a notable Civil Rights activist, Ria forges her own legacy as being many “firsts” within her company while dedicating her life to fight for equity and diversity, specifically with women. Ria's journey ignites hope in all of us who need just a little push to embrace life to the fullest and be okay with stepping into our true selves no matter what.

ABOUT RIA AIKEN

A career shifter, Ria Aiken leverages 20+years of strategic planning, profit and loss (P&L) management, and change management in the global crisis and resilience space to partner with technology, security, and innovation teams in driving digital transformation while mitigating risk. She joined Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (FRBA) in June 2019.

An advocate for diversity and inclusion initiatives, women’s leadership, and passionate about mentoring the next generation of business and technology leaders. She has served as a Mentor for Women-In-Technology (WIT) Single Mother’s Program and Executive Women’s Forum (EWF), and has served on multiple advisory boards, most recently as a member of the Georgia State University Andrew Young School Public Policy, Evidenced-Based Cybersecurity Research Institute and Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice. Ria has also been a Guest Lecturer for Carnegie Mellon – Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy. She is an Executive Member of Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF) and was the recipient of the Technology Leader on the Rise Award in 2023.

A wanderlust at heart, Ria is constantly planning her next international trip with her husband, Brian.

QUOTABLES:

“I realized I could fit in anywhere as long as I recognized who I was as an individual.”

“Be okay and trust who you think you are.”

“You’re not for everybody and that’s okay.”

“I’m about creating legacy.”

“I’m always leaning into the uncomfortable.”

How to stay connected to Ria Aiken:

LinkedIn: Ria Aiken