Work where you can make an impact

As an enthusiastic cyclist, Jack Yao likes to ride his bike as often as time and weather permit. As Branch Manager in Whitchurch-Stouffville, Ontario, he logs many of those kilometres raising funds for various charities in his community.

And that’s just for starters. Yao regularly contributes his time and talents to support a diverse range of not-for-profit and charitable organizations. He also rallies his branch employees to take part individually and as a group in a variety of fundraisers and local community events.

“Everyone appreciates opportunities to demonstrate our values,” Yao says. “At the same time, our volunteers leave these engagements with a greater sense of the impact RBC makes in the community.”

Jennifer Leach, Vice President, Operations and Engagement, Sustainability & Impact says participating in meaningful volunteer activities is a significant way employees can engage with RBC’s Purpose, to help clients thrive and communities prosper.

“Our greatest asset is our employees, and we know that when we harness their collective power we can strengthen the well-being of the communities where we live and work,” she says. “Our Purpose instils a sense of collective pride across the organization. It is at the heart of everything we do.”

Indeed, RBC has a long history of providing multiple opportunities for employees to support their communities in ways that fulfil their unique passions and suit their individual needs and preferences.

One initiative, the RBC Social Impact Leadership Program (SILP), takes a particularly robust approach to making a positive impact. While most RBC volunteer programs are led by a central team, SILP is the result of a unique partnership between the human resources and sustainability & impact groups.
With the support of Taproot Foundation, the teams work together to match the best candidates from across the bank to volunteer with community partners in need of specific skillsets.

Since SILP launched in 2018, over 550 employees have volunteered more than 36,000 hours while assisting 79 community partners in four countries. The numbers, however, don’t tell the whole story.

The community partners, who often have limited resources to support their objectives, benefit from the expertise of the RBC volunteers, Leach says. At the same time, participating in SILP helps RBCers grow personally and professionally as they apply complex problem-solving and critical thinking skills to solve challenges in areas that are new to them.

“When I speak to participants, whether they are RBC employees or community partners, it’s clear that SILP is an experience like no other,” Leach says. “But perhaps the best part is that this mutually beneficial collaboration results in solutions that have lasting impact for our communities where we live and work.”

Being selected for SILP in 2024 was undeniably a memorable experience for Yao. The community partner was Nova Scotia’s Dartmouth General Hospital, which wanted to improve the patient experience, especially in its emergency department.

For three months, Yao met regularly via teleconference with RBC employee volunteers in different businesses and locations and with volunteers with the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation.

Yao says they meshed well as a team as they worked to understand the hospital’s challenges and propose solutions. He appreciated the opportunity to build relationships with individuals in the bank he would not otherwise have met.

“I’m so glad that I took part,” Yao says. “I believe the experience will help me in my day-to-day work and in my future career. But for me, the biggest takeaway is knowing we’ve helped the hospital in meaningful way.”

This article was originally published in The Globe and Mail as part of RBC’s recognition as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers.

A word from our lawyers

This article offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subject matter discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or its affiliates.

Work where you can make a positive impact and learn new skills

Communities and employees benefit from a unique volunteer program.

Jack Yao

Jennifer Leach

A word from our lawyers

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