BY SONIA WEST
Devinder Gill is the Regional Vice President, Business Financial Services for RBC Royal Bank in British Columbia. Culturally and socially breaking barriers in her current role, she is the first female to be appointed and the first South Asian to hold this position.
Devinder is grateful for the endorsement of RBC affording her the ability to work in many different business platforms in the financial services industry. With over 25 years of experience she has always affirmed a seat at the table by advocating for leaders to be innovative to make room for professional women to succeed.
When asked how she balances everything – “I do not call it a balance; I call it a choice. Sometimes work triumphs and other times family or other priorities take precedence. Thus, no true balance, and we all make these choices and learn from them.”
Devinder is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, and an active member of her community who deeply cares about giving back. She is a mentor within RBC as well as with the SFU Beedie Mentors in Business. She serves as a Board Member and Women’s Events Chair with the Risk Management Association (RMA) Fraser Valley Chapter, a Director on the Board of Special Olympics, a Director and Finance Committee Member on the Board of Minerva BC, and a Board Member of TiE Vancouver. As a mentor, she is proud of her ability to hold board positions and impart many of those opportunities to other women.
She completed her Executive MBA five years ago while taking on a new appointment when her daughters were just 5 and 7.
“My husband and my girls have supported me and I also never forget about the sacrifices my parents made to come to Canada and to provide for us and give us a better life.”
She says take inspiration from female leaders who have navigated a-not-so-straight career path and have emerged more resilient and fulfilled.
“Never be afraid to reach out to other women and always pay it forward for even as a young professional woman you have achieved many successes personally and professionally and take the time to mentor another woman or girl.”
She has always held herself to high standards, and prioritized what is essential to her interests, skills, and values. She enjoys her profession and will always strive for more significant challenges.
“I have worked in my career and personal life to be an integrator, and it is not an easy role. I look forward to seeing my daughters grow up to continue to chip away at the social and cultural norms that shape our workplaces and our lives.
I am continually amazed at what they can learn and retain in today’s world and how thoughtful they are to really understand and ask questions. I will be there for them and help them to make their own choices about what they are passionate about.”
Devinder looks forward to post-Covid times to resume her market visits and travel, keep up with exercise and golf, and get her daughters back to swimming lessons so she can get a few laps in herself.
