When Mila Beuses joined CGI in 2007 after moving to Canada, she was beginning a new chapter. Nearly two decades later, she's helping shape the global technology strategy that supports CGI's business worldwide.
Take us back to the beginning. What first brought you to CGI?
I joined CGI in 2007 as a Unix system administrator after moving to Canada. Starting a career in a new country was both exciting and challenging. I had to adapt to a new culture and professional environment, strengthen my French and English and build a new support network while being far from family and friends. I was also one of the few women on a highly technical team.
Fortunately, I benefitted from supportive colleagues who helped me grow and succeed. For example, at the time, I was passionate about Unix technologies and earned four major certifications, giving me a strong technical foundation for what came next.
Your career has evolved from engineering into enterprise architecture. What inspired that shift?
Around 2009, I wanted to move from support into project delivery. When an opportunity wasn't immediately available, I enrolled in a master's degree in engineering and was soon assigned to a key automation project as the Unix prime. Working with the project architect and vendor to resolve an important security issue gave me my first real exposure to architecture in practice.
That interest grew when I moved to an architecture team. At the same time, a course in IT governance and enterprise architecture brought my practical experience and studies together. That combination became a turning point in my career.
I progressed from domain architect to solution architect and senior architect, working on client transformations, business growth initiatives and large-scale technology programs. In 2022, I became an enterprise architect.
Today, you're both an enterprise architect and a solution owner. What does that look like in practice?
In a nutshell, I help connect business strategy with technology.
As an enterprise architect, I help ensure technology decisions support business objectives while building a secure, scalable foundation for future growth. As a solution owner, I ensure key global solutions continue to meet business needs and deliver value over time.
Together, these roles help create the technology capabilities and operational excellence that enable CGI teams to deliver outstanding results for our clients.
Can you share some of the types of projects you’ve worked on?
One of the things I enjoy about my role is seeing how technology can improve people’s everyday lives. As part of our internal Workplace Digital Transformation program, I led the migration of more than 40,000 mobile devices to a modern global endpoint management solution. The goal was to make it easier for CGI Partners to enroll and manage their devices themselves and securely access the applications they need to do their jobs.
I also led a modernization program for about 2,000 MacBook users and more than 80,000 Windows laptop users. We introduced automated provisioning, zero-touch deployment and streamlined application delivery, making it easier for CGI Partners to set up their devices and access the tools they need.
Making changes at that scale takes collaboration. We brought together three global support teams, the project delivery team and more than 15 regional support teams to deliver the initiatives successfully.
What does a typical day look like?
No two days are exactly the same.
I usually start by reviewing emails, messages and dashboards to understand current priorities and ongoing operational activities. From there, my day moves between strategic discussions, governance meetings and planning sessions with colleagues across teams and regions.
I work with business leaders, architects, security managers, project managers and operational teams to review roadmaps, make decisions and keep initiatives moving forward.
When schedules allow, I also enjoy having lunch with colleagues. It's a great opportunity to build relationships, exchange ideas and stay connected with what's happening across the organization.
What skills have become just as important as technical expertise in your role?
Being able to move comfortably between technology and business is essential.
Some conversations are highly technical, while others focus on strategy or governance, so I need to explain complex ideas clearly, think strategically and help different stakeholders work toward shared goals.
Looking back over nearly 19 years at CGI, what has kept you here?
The people and the opportunities. I've worked with talented colleagues, mentors and leaders who have supported my growth and encouraged me to take on new challenges.
CGI has also given me opportunities to continue developing my skills through hands-on experience, training, certifications and leadership development.
During my career at CGI, I also became a mother. I’m grateful to work in an environment where I could pursue new opportunities, keep learning and build my career while maintaining balance between work and family responsibilities.
What's been your biggest learning experience?
I've learned that delivering a successful solution depends on much more than technical expertise. The best outcomes come from bringing together people with different perspectives, balancing business objectives with technology and building alignment across teams.
Learning to lead through influence has probably been one of the most valuable lessons of my career.
What advice would you give someone considering a career like yours?
It’s the same advice I’d give my younger self. Trust yourself, stay curious and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.
Technical skills matter, but the relationships you build, the mentors you learn from and your willingness to keep growing will shape your career just as much.
Finally, how do you like to spend your time outside work?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and raising my two children. They keep life busy, exciting and rewarding. I also enjoy walks, playtime and even grooming and spa days with my dog, Luckyhill Sunny. To stay energized, I regularly train at the gym and work out at home.
Thank you, Mila, for sharing your inspiring career journey at CGI!
