Last year, I was fortunate enough to attend Out Leadership’s OutNEXT Global Summit in NYC with nine other RBCers. OutNEXT is a global leadership program dedicated to developing the next generation of 2SLGBTQ+ leaders and talent, and RBC is a founding sponsor of the program.
Attending the 2-day conference in New York was unlike any other corporate event I had ever attended. It was inspiring to see ~200 2SLGBTQ+ emerging leaders in one room share common experiences and challenges. As Co-Chair of our Capital Markets Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG), I walked away from this conference with sharper advocacy tools and answers to a question that led many of us there: how can we help our organizations become more inclusive places for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals? Our CM Pride ERG plays a vital role in nurturing a sense of belonging while championing 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy, so it became an immediate goal of ours to bring the Out Leadership Summit to Canada. With the support of our Executive Sponsors and the Canadian Diversity Leadership Council (CDLC), RBC Capital Markets hosted the inaugural Out Leadership Canada Summit in Toronto on October 29-30th.
The Canada Summit brought over 185 2SLGBTQ+ professionals and allies together for networking, professional development, and thought leadership on diversity & inclusion. It garnered participation from more than 50 external organizations and clients and included various panels that profiled RBC’s own 2SLGBTQ+ leaders. A common theme shared across panelists was that when they were able to embrace the diverse aspects of their identity in their workplace, they were able to unlock their full potential, build deeper connections with colleagues, and ultimately perform better.
Our values here at RBC are clear: foster a diverse & inclusive workplace where everyone feels like they belong. The investment we’ve made in this transformative program gives me hope that we are on the right track to support the next generation of 2SLGBTQ+ talent. This commitment extends globally, as demonstrated by our support for the OutNEXT Global Summit earlier this year in New York and the Australia Summit last month in Sydney, where we sponsored the OutNext Salon and VIP Reception, which further amplified conversations of 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion.
“Reflecting on the success of the inaugural Out Leadership Canada Summit, we are excited to build on this milestone and recognize the important work still to be done. Alongside our partners, we remain committed to challenging the status quo, fostering conversations, and taking concrete actions to create workplaces where everyone feels a sense of belonging.”
- Adam Egberts & Daphne Wallace, CM Pride ERG Co-Chairs
Learn more about Out Leadership and its mission to advance equality here.
