Written by Louie Aldip
Gaurav Shekhar is a distinguished engineer in the financial technology industry, currently serves as the Application Manager – Vice President at U.S. Bank. He is leading the modernization of the authentication platform to a cloud-native architecture using Microsoft Azure. In this role, Gaurav is responsible for infrastructure design, architecture modernization, and implementing CI/CD practices to move application programming interfaces (APIs) and user interfaces to the Azure Cloud.
For his career, Gaurav has progressed from a software developer to a leadership role in the industry, making significant contributions to both U.S. Bank and his previous employer, Discover Financial Services.
Gaurav’s career began with a Bachelor of Technology degree in Computer Science and Engineering, providing him with a foundation in technical skills and knowledge. This education helped shape his programming abilities and interest in innovation.
“In this industry, you can’t afford to stand still,” Gaurav says. “The pace of change is relentless, and if you’re not constantly innovating, you’re falling behind.” This philosophy has guided Gaurav throughout his professional life and led him to work on significant projects in the finance sector.
Platforms at Discover Financial Services
During his time at Discover Financial Services, Gaurav led the development of the Cloud Based Network Tokenization Platform. This system replaced sensitive card information with unique tokens and impacted over 350 million Discover customers worldwide.
Gaurav’s guidance made the tokenization platform crucial to Discover’s digital payment infrastructure. The integration of the platform into the payment process aimed to improve the user experience for customers while reducing the risk of fraud and data breaches. The implementation of the platform strengthened Discover’s position in digital payments.
Gaurav also worked on the Discover Technology Academy (DTA), a platform for technologists to learn, share knowledge, and develop skills. The DTA platform aimed to create a community for collaboration and innovation.
One of the key features of the DTA platform was its extensive library of learning modules and content contributed by subject matter experts (SMEs). These resources covered a wide range of topics, including Agile Methodology, Cloud Computing, Automation, DevOps, OpenShift, Data Engineering, and Software Engineering. The DTA platform provided employees access to diverse learning materials, enabling them to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices.
Gaurav’s vision for the DTA platform extended beyond mere training; it aimed to create an environment that nurtured continuous growth and development. The platform offered workshops, webinars, and hands-on projects, empowering employees to take control of their professional development and adapt to the technological space.
Cloud Migration at U.S. Bank
In this role, Gaurav is leading a pivotal initiative: the modernization of the authentication platform to a cloud-native architecture using Microsoft Azure. This effort involves a comprehensive transition from on-premises infrastructure to the Azure Cloud, a move that is set to change how U.S. Bank operates in an increasingly digital world.
Gaurav’s responsibilities in this role are multifaceted. He is leading the infrastructure design, architecture modernization, and implementing Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) practices. These efforts are aimed at seamlessly moving application programming interfaces (APIs) and user interfaces to the Azure Cloud. This initiative is designed to improve operational efficiency, enhance the user experience for U.S. Bank customers, and leverage the scalability and reliability of cloud technology.
The cloud migration led by Gaurav is expected to bring several key benefits. The bank can significantly improve developer productivity and experience, allowing teams to work more iteratively on high-impact projects and bring new products to market faster by automating core engineering, security, and risk processes. This transition to the cloud will also enable U.S. Bank to deliver more personalized and leading-edge experiences for its customers by leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning. Additionally, the cloud migration will enhance the security of data, financial assets, and customer privacy, while adding resiliency to the bank’s operations and strengthening technology risk management, ensuring that the bank remains secure and reliable.
Gaurav’s skill in software engineering, cloud migration, platform modernization, and platform streamlining has been instrumental in this effort. His ability to bridge complex technical processes with tangible business outcomes has made him a key figure in U.S. Bank’s digital transformation journey. Gaurav’s leadership has ensured that the cloud migration is not just a technical exercise but a strategic initiative that aligns with the bank’s overall business goals.
“The key to this cloud migration’s success is the ability to provide seamless integration and real-time visibility,” Gaurav notes. “By empowering our business and product teams with actionable insights, we can make swift, informed decisions that directly translate into better customer service.” This focus on real-time visibility and actionable insights strengthens Gaurav’s commitment to understanding and anticipating customer needs, ensuring that the cloud migration aligns with U.S. Bank’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.
Future of Fintech
Looking ahead, Gaurav sees an increasing overlap between finance and technology. He predicts that artificial intelligence, blockchain, and quantum computing will significantly impact the industry.
Gaurav is working on various projects in the fintech space. Despite the technical nature of his work, he emphasizes the importance of the human element. “At the end of the day, technology is just a tool,” he says. “It’s how we use it, how we harness it to improve people’s lives, that matters.” Gaurav aims to use his skills and knowledge to benefit others.
Gaurav continues to work on strategic projects in the fintech industry. His career has taken him from being a software developer to becoming an executive who shapes the industry’s direction.
