LEADING WITH PURPOSE
Helena Gottschling Sara Son Hing RBC
I TAKE MY CUES FROM THOSE I LOOK UP TO AND FROM WHOM I SEEK GUIDANCE. THEY ... HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO THE RIGHT THING, EVEN WHEN IT IS HARD. — SARA SON HING
I NEVER FORGET WHERE I CAME FROM AND THOSE WHO HAVE HELPED ME ALONG THE WAY. MY JOB IS TO HELP PEOPLE BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE ... — HELENA GOTTSCHLING
Helena Gottschling never imagined joining the corporate world, let alone rising to the position of chief human resources officer with one of Canada’s largest banks.
Gottschling’s parents emigrated from Holland in their late teens, then met and married in Canada. “I marvel when I think back,” she says. “My paternal grandparents arrived here with eight children in tow, including my father. It is quite overwhelming to imagine giving up a life in one country and setting off across the ocean, with that large a family, to seek success in another. It is the quintessential Canadian story.”
The middle of five children, Gottschling grew up in the interior of British Columbia. She and her siblings are not only first-generation Canadians, they are the first generation to attend university. Each took a different path with the full support of their self-employed parents. “Rather than leading us in a direction of their choosing, they supported us in following our own desires and finding a career that was right for us as individuals.”
Unsure of where she wanted to be, Gottschling opted for a business degree because of the many directions such a broad education could take her. Ultimately, it led to an unexpected and outstanding 35-year career with RBC.
“After graduation, I planned to go to law school, but needed to work for a few years first. I applied to a variety of industries and received an offer from the bank. I thought ‘what the heck, I’ll give it a try’. When I arrived, I found a company with incredible integrity and values, along with an amazing learning environment that continues to this day. I have had some wonderful opportunities over the years and been able to reinvent myself time and again, without the need to move to a different company.” It is a privilege she does not take lightly.
Gottschling pays her good fortune forward with her down-to-earth, authentic leadership. She seeks every opportunity to connect with employees at all levels of the organization. “I never forget where I came from and those who have helped me along the way. My job is to help people be the best they can be and to enable them to have the highest possible impact on the organization, our colleagues and, importantly, on themselves.”
A trusted adviser, champion of change and devoted employee advocate, Gottschling has helped unlock the potential of RBC employees and helped the organization achieve top employer status around the globe. Today, her strategy and team impacts over 88,000 employees in 29 countries.
Gottschling’s strong leadership has been critical over the past 18 months, with the pandemic emphasizing the importance and influence of her role. RBC was the first Canadian bank to commit to no job losses due to COVID-19 in 2020. As co-chair of RBC’S crisis management team, Gottschling and her team developed a diverse array of programs, from health and safety guidelines to Ask me Anything sessions with senior leadership, Pulse Surveys to better understand how employees were feeling, enhanced mental health programs and benefits, and new resources to support the needs of a hybrid workplace. She has been a trusted voice providing guidance and reassurance during a very challenging time.
“Our global HR team had
to step up like never before, becoming the key decision-makers in ensuring health and safety protocols and procedures were mandated and implemented appropriately, especially for those required to work on-site,” notes Gottschling. “We gained a much broader canvas on which to paint a picture of how HR can really influence culture across an organization. The outcomes were extremely meaningful and we gained a much stronger voice around the leadership table.”
Her thoughtful leadership, commitment to inclusivity, and continued drive for human resource excellence have earned Helena Gottschling the WXN KPMG C-suite Executives Award.
Sara Son Hing is following fast in Gottschling’s footsteps. Her 17-year career at RBC has seen her rise rapidly through the organization to the role of vice-president of retail delivery model and adviser role strategy.
A keen student of science, math and languages, Son Hing originally charted a path toward the healthcare industry. While landing in financial services was a
bit of a surprise, RBC’S focus on helping clients and communities aligned with that early goal.
“I was drawn to RBC because of its culture, values and impact in the community. My first client-facing role opened my eyes to the tremendous impact financial advice can have in helping people achieve their dreams. The fulfillment that comes from that is the best kind of reward. It fits well with my ongoing desire to help others and contribute beyond the workplace,” she says.
And contribute she has. Son Hing began volunteering at the age of 14. Her first role was with the St. John Ambulance, where she administered first aid. “Being there when people need you and staying calm when others are scared instilled in me a passion to help others.”
Later, she began volunteering at Camp Oochigeas, a camp for children living with cancer. Each summer since 2006, Son Hing has spent a week of her vacation to help give these children the most memorable camp experience of their lives. “As a camp counsellor, I have a chance to disconnect and give my perspective a reset. I have a lot of fun and, over the years, I’ve learned a lot about myself. Finding a fit among these wonderful children and their parents has given so much back to my own life.” Her work with Camp Oochigeas has been recognized with the RBC Global Citizen Award, a prestigious award for those who make an outstanding difference in their community.
While her career trajectory has been fast, Son Hing has been deliberate about her path, choosing roles that offer the best opportunities for growth. After four lateral moves where she explored different areas of the bank, she took a leadership role in personal and commercial banking. In just one year, she was able to significantly increase client loyalty and employee engagement. Given her passion for giving back, it’s only natural that Son Hing seeks positions where she can help people the most. “When I consider my next role, I’ll ask, what will I learn in the role and how it will make me better, think differently, or prepare me for other things I would like to do?”
In the early days, overcoming personal bias about her culture and upbringing was difficult. “I was shy and reserved when I first entered the workplace. It took time to find my place and have confidence that I bring value to the table. For that, I thank my mentors at RBC, who encouraged me to speak up and be comfortable in my own skin.”
Today, Son Hing is a mentor and role model herself. She is a powerful advocate for mental wellness, diversity, inclusion and equity. “I take my cues from those I look up to and from whom I seek guidance. They lead authentically and have the courage to do the right thing, even when it is hard.”
Sara Son Hing is a recipient of the WXN Mercedes-benz Emerging Leaders Award. Achieving this award is a pinchable moment, she says. “It is representative of the support that I have received from RBC. I am proud and honoured to have been nominated and selected, and appreciate the WXN and the wonderful work they do. I hope other young women are inspired to reach for the next big thing.”