Rod Schaaf

Mobilizing people for performance and results is a passion for Rod Schaaf. He designs and applies best-in-class solutions through helping to create a model of business leadership that addresses the people side of organizational effectiveness. His extensive field leadership roles have provided him with the ability to support organizations looking to create an environment where people are encouraged to take risks and develop extremely efficient coaching routines that increase individual productivity to drive client retention and client acquisition. Rod brings crucial insight into the building of strategy, implementing and then executing through measurable milestones and timelines.

As a member of RBC for over 20 years, Rod held a variety of executive sales management positions in personal, business and commercial banking. In his most recent role as a Regional President he was responsible for the delivery of all products and services to over 1.5 million of RBC’s clients through over 2000 employees. In the challenging economic environment of 2009 Rod’s executive leadership team drove double digit revenue growth while reducing expenses 5%. Prior to his current position, Rod was Sr Vice President of Contact Centres which served millions of clients through a network of telephone and on-line banking centres. While leading a transformational change initiative of this large workforce, his management team increased individual productivity by over 20% and reduced expenses by tens of millions of dollars.

Rod believes the best leaders are great coaches. He practiced what he expected of others and over the past few years he traveled extensively in Ontario meeting with personal and business clients. His primary goal was to optimize all the sales distribution channels and capitalize on market opportunities to help clients drive profitable growth. His routines embraced coaching through observing, listening and providing feedback to employees to build their capability in advising clients. Through his discussions with hundreds of clients, primarily business owners, he listened, learned and provided advice and counsel to help support these entrepreneurs in all facets of their business including the raising of capital. Rod has never been described as a typical banker as he grew up in a small family business. As a result he has an important understanding of the business and cultural challenges faced by small and medium sized enterprises.