John Taft of RBC Wealth Management named Outstanding Corporate
Diversity Leader by the NGLCC
Firm also wins Excellence in Marketing and Outreach Award
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., January 12, 2010— John
Taft, head of the U.S. division of RBC Wealth Management and
CEO of RBC Capital Markets Corporation, was named the "Outstanding
Corporate Diversity Leader" by the National Gay &
Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) at the third annual NGLCC
Diversity & Leadership in Financial Services Awards. The
award was presented yesterday at the historic New York Stock
Exchange. RBC Wealth Management also was awarded the "Excellence
in Marketing and Outreach Award" by the NGLCC.
As head of RBC U.S. Wealth Management, Taft has made it a
priority to include diversity in all aspects of the workplace
environment. This focus helps improve the quality of life
of clients, employees and the communities where RBC does business.
"RBC Wealth Management applauds John's consistent commitment
to diversity," said George Lewis, group head, RBC Wealth
Management. "As a company, RBC has been committed to
diversity and inclusion for decades and this represents one
of our core values in all our businesses. Our success is built
on forming solid relationships based on trust and respect.
John exemplifies a leader that truly makes diversity a top
priority and we are thankful for all he has done to champion
the cause."
The Outstanding Corporate Diversity Leader Award recognizes
a corporate champion with demonstrated commitment and forethought
in developing unique and creative programs and resources for
inclusion of LGBT employees, and the Excellence in Marketing
and Outreach Award is given to the corporation that stands
out for its culturally competent efforts to include LGBT customers
in their marketing strategy.
Taft has served as the executive sponsor for GLADE (Gay,
Lesbian, Allied and Diverse Employees), an RBC Wealth Management
employee resource group for LGBT employees, for more than
five years. In this role, he has championed the importance
of diversity and inclusion efforts with employees, which has
paved the way to recruiting more diverse employees and clients
to the firm. GLADE is an integral part of the firm's diversity
strategy and in 2009, RBC Wealth Management and GLADE jointly
heightened awareness, increased membership, and boosted community
involvement.
In 2009, Taft approved the modification of the firm's non-discrimination
policy to include gender identity and gender expression and
joined the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Business Coalition
for Workplace Fairness in support of ENDA (the Employee Non-Discrimination
Act). He also supported and participated in many diversity
and inclusion-related events, such as the Minnesota AIDS Project
Oscar Night, Minnesota AIDS Walk, National Coming Out Day,
Greater Seattle Business Association and HRC Dinners.
About RBC Wealth Management
In the United States, RBC Wealth Management operates as a
division of RBC Capital Markets Corporation. Founded in 1909,
RBC Capital Markets Corporation is a member of the New York
Stock Exchange, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
and other major securities exchanges, as well as the Securities
Investor Protection Corp. RBC Wealth Management has over $160
billion of assets under administration and more than 2,200
financial consultants operating in over 200 locations in 42
states.
RBC Wealth Management directly serves affluent and high-net-worth
clients in Canada, the United States, Latin America, Europe
and Asia with a full suite of investment, trust and other
wealth management solutions. The business also provides asset
management products and services directly and through RBC
and third-party distributors to institutional and individual
clients, through its RBC Global Asset Management division.
RBC Wealth Management has more than $500 billion of assets
under administration, over $245 billion of assets under management
and more than 4,500 financial consultants, advisors, private
bankers and trust officers. RBC Wealth Management was recognized
as the Outstanding Private Bank in North America by Private
Banker International in October 2009.
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Media Contacts:
Jonell Lundquist, 612-371-2239, jonell.lundquist@rbc.com
Chris Dotson, 604-408-6009, chris.dotson@rbc.com
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