As Retail Cross Border Segment Advisor, Frederic Potvin is responsible for RBC Bank’s Cross Border Retail Banking strategy, marketing, and execution for Canadian retail clients banking in the United States.  This segment is now made up of over 135,000 clients all over the U.S., 93,000 households, over $1.5 billion in total business, and more than $47 million in annual revenues.  Mr. Potvin is a member of RBC Bank's diversity council has contributed to the LGBT Employee Resource Group in the U.S.

Mr. Potvin began his banking career in 2000 and has been with RBC Bank since May of 2006.  Born in in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Mr. Potvin graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelors of Science in Finance.  He sat on the board of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Student Union at UCF for 3 years.  He and his partner of ten years currently reside in Orlando, Florida.   

My diversity statement on our internal Diversity Council website:

In the context of the workplace, valuing diversity means creating a workplace that respects and includes differences, recognizing the unique contributions that individuals with many types of differences can make, and creating a work environment that maximizes the potential of all employees. It is also about having the long term goal that the campus work force should generally reflect the population it serves in all its dimensions.

What is diversity at the workplace to me?

Diversity refers to human qualities in groups and individuals that differ from our own.  We should not only strive to respect and tolerate these differences, but understand and include them.  Dimensions of diversity include but are not limited to: age, ethnicity, gender identity, physical abilities/qualities, race, sexual orientation, educational background, geographic location, income, marital status, military experience, parental status, religious beliefs, work experience, and job classification.  Creating a work environment that shows employees that their uniqueness  and many types of differences add value will increase productivity, foster creativity, and create a safe, comfortable workplace.  Embracing diversity is more than tolerance, it means not avoiding but engaging in activities, conversation, and practices that improve overall social justice and reduce discrimination.

Why is it important to me?

Because talking about and claiming to embrace diversity is not enough.  We must create a culture that enables employees to feel comfortable, empowered, and represented by their company.