Diversity & inclusion

“Throughout my career at RBC, I have focused my D&I efforts on creating an inclusive, respectful and safe environment for my fellow colleagues so that they feel encouraged and empowered to be their best in all facets. I have seen many of these colleagues emulate that philosophy in their own lives at work and in their communities. That encourages me to believe that every single person in an organization or community absolutely has the capacity to be a champion of equity, diversity and inclusion.”

Harleen has 25 years of sales and trading experience within the Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities space at RBC Capital Markets. She began her career with RBC in 1996, starting in Interest Rate Derivatives trading, and continued to take on roles with greater risk and PNL responsibilities.

She was appointed Managing Director in 2005. In 2011, Harleen transitioned to Institutional Derivatives Sales and progressed into more senior responsibilities, including leading the Rates Sales business in the U.S., and has since been a formative lead in developing the growth of RBC’s Derivatives platform in Canada and the U.S. She returned to Canada in 2014 to expanded Canadian responsibilities, including heading Canadian Rates Sales & Trading. Harleen has been in her current role since 2018.

Today, Harleen has CIO level relationships across RBC Capital Markets’ client base, and helps position RBC as a thought leader in Canadian OTC Derivatives. She also serves on the Board for Freedom International Brokerage Co and the CIRO Fixed Income Advisory Committee.

Harleen has been an ardent proponent of recruiting and retaining diverse and inclusive teams. She is a Co-Chair of the RBC Capital Markets’ Canadian Diversity Leadership Council, which plays an integral role in shaping and executing on RBC's diversity and inclusion goals and objectives.

In 2017, Harleen was the recipient of the Women in Capital Markets Leadership Award recognizing senior executives who have combined professional excellence with a commitment to advancing and championing women in capital markets. In 2021, Women in Capital Markets named Harleen a Champion of Change, which recognizes corporate leaders who are pushing the boundaries for the advancement of women in the Canadian finance industry. In the community, Harleen is a charter member of United Way’s Women United.

Harleen holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Finance) from the University of Calgary and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). 

“Diversity and Inclusion is a cornerstone for innovation and growth. Companies, communities and economies thrive when a variety of ideas and people have a seat at the table. At RBC Capital Markets, we believe that a rich diversity of thought, culture, and perspective can be leveraged to solve challenges in business and civic life.”

Natasha is a senior relationship banker in the U.S. Northeast Region where she structures debt and sells bonds on behalf of large city and state governments to fund public infrastructure. Natasha has financed and/or advised on over $14 billion of municipal bond transactions. She and her husband established The Holiday Party in 2012, which has raised over $200,000 for NYC-based non-profit organizations including SEO, the Council of Urban Professionals, iMentor and Allstar Code. Natasha earned a Master’s of Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a BA in History/BS in Political Science from Xavier University (OH), where she currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees and serves on the Executive Committee. She is an Executive Sponsor for RBC’s U.S. Multicultural Employee Alliance and Co-chair of the U.S. Capital Markets Diversity Leadership Council.

Natasha was recognized in 2020 as a Crain’s New York Business 40 Under 40 honoree and received one of six Northeast Women in Public Finance Trailblazing Women awards in 2019, the 2016 Rising Star Award by Women in Public Finance and the inaugural Bond Buyer 2016 Rising Star Award.

“RBC makes DE&I an imperative, and this has fostered a safe and welcoming environment: whoever walks through the doors of RBC is walking into a workplace that allows them to be whoever they are. Our leadership is focused on embedding D&I into our company culture, encouraging employees to get involved, valuing our differences, and harnessing the powerful contribution D&I makes to our business’ success.”

Nanakarina Kwofie joined RBC in 2013, within the Global Markets Senior Relationship Management Team in London, UK. In her current role, she is responsible for managing relationships with some of RBC Capital Market’s leading institutional client relationships, including coverage of bank and asset manager clients in France, Belgium UK and the Netherlands. Prior to joining RBCCM, Nanakarina began her career at Citigroup Corporate & Investment Bank in London. Following that, she worked at independent fixed income research house, Creditsights as a credit research analyst covering European banking and insurance sectors. Most recently, she worked as a credit strategist on the Credit Markets Trading and Sales desk at Rabobank International London. Nanakarina has an Msc. Degree in Environmental Policy and Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science and an Honours Bsc. in Zoology from the University of Toronto, Victoria College. Nanakarina is from Ottawa, Canada, and currently resides in Amsterdam, the Netherlands working from the RBC Capital Markets Amsterdam office.

“Empowering everyone to bring their whole selves to work and raising awareness for the LGBTQ+ and Ally community at RBC makes for a stronger firm, a vibrant community, and better outcomes for our clients.”

Chris is the lead natural gas and gold strategist on RBC’s Global Commodity Strategy and MENA Research team based in New York, responsible for metals and energy coverage as well as analyzing cross-commodity investor activity. Prior to joining RBC Capital Markets in 2015, he worked at Barclays on the Commodities Research team where he covered precious metals, natural gas, and commodity investor flows. Chris graduated with a BA from Cornell University where he double-majored in Economics and China and Asia Pacific Studies. He is frequently quoted in top news media (including Barron’s, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, CNBC, Bloomberg, Reuters, and others) and has been featured as a commodities expert on television networks such as CNBC, Bloomberg, BNN and their international affiliates.

“Diversity and inclusion, as one of the most universal and pressing issues we face, is also a pillar of focus within any investor or corporate’s ESG framework. I couldn’t be more proud to work for RBCCM where we are committed to advancing our efforts in this important area and continuously challenging ourselves to do more.”

Lindsay Patrick is Managing Director and Head of Strategy, Marketing and Sustainability at RBC Capital Markets and a member of the firm’s Operating Committee.

Lindsay is responsible for the advancement of the RBC Capital Markets’ business, brand, and marketing strategy, supporting the firm’s overall growth and performance ambitions. She is a senior adviser on ESG matters to the Group Executive and the wider RBC enterprise, providing insight and guidance in respect of our Capital Markets client base and the transition to net zero. Lindsay also oversees the Sustainable Finance Group, and with her global team, spearheads the provision of solutions and advice for RBC’s institutional and corporate clients across all areas of sustainable finance that incorporates both environmental and social perspectives.

Lindsay has over two decades experience in investment banking, spanning trading floors across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. She began her career with RBC Capital Markets in Investment Banking in Toronto and spent 10 years across variety of positions in Global Equities with a global bank in London before returning to RBC Capital Markets in 2016.

Lindsay is passionate about talent development and is active in advancing important initiatives related to Diversity and Inclusion.  Within RBC, she is a mentor to numerous colleagues, supporting their growth and development across the bank.

Lindsay received her MBA with Honours in Finance from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, her BBA with Honours in International Business from Bishop’s University, is a CFA Charterholder and completed the CFA Certificate in ESG Investing. Lindsay sits on the Advisory Board for the Institute of Sustainable Finance and is recognized as leader in sustainability in Canada as a Clean50 Honoree. She is an active volunteer within her local community and serves on the Board Directors for the Oakville Community Foundation. Lindsay is married and the proud mother of four boys.

“Diversity and Inclusion is built into the DNA of RBC and the firm is constantly challenging itself to create parity for under-represented minority groups. We recognize that D&I is not simply about hiring a set number of people from diverse backgrounds. Achieving inclusion is much more complex and involves ensuring under-represented minorities feel comfortable at work and have true opportunities to build long-term financially and professionally enriching careers.”

Marcos Torres, a senior Managing Director with over 20 years of investment banking experience, heads RBC Capital Markets’ U.S. Communications, Media & Entertainment practice. He is Co-Chair of the firm's U.S. Diversity Leadership Council and is a member of RBC’s U.S. Investment Banking Management Committee. Marcos currently sits on the Board of Directors of three national non-profit organizations and has been recognized as one of America's young and emerging leaders.