Mrs. Harriet Thornhill

Mrs. Harriet Thornhill is a values-based business leader with extensive leadership and business experience with the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). In addition to an exceptional and distinguished career that has taken her throughout Quebec, Ontario and the Caribbean, Harriet has tirelessly coached, mentored and served others. Always an ambassador for growing the next generation of talent, she has inspired and supported thousands of individuals to unlock their full potential.

Prior to her retirement in 2022, Harriet’s business leadership included Vice President, RBC Contact Centre, a multi-business, multi-geographical channel with over 3500 employees, Head of Personal Banking, RBC Caribbean for 19 countries, and Regional Vice President for a key growth market in the Greater Toronto Area.

She has participated in several youth mentorship programs including the Outside Looking In - Future Leaders for Indigenous youth, Afroglobal Television Crossover Program, the Francophone Workforce Development Council and The Cultivate Group Mentorship sponsored by RBC Future Launch and BPTN.

As a community champion Harriet has volunteered at Assisted Senior Living Homes with her local Church, A Women’s Shelter in Mississauga, and currently volunteers with her local Church for ‘Hope Meals’ to help families in need.

Harriet has also served on several not-for-profit boards and advisory councils including the Charity Trust Leadership Cabinet, Executive Cabinet member for the William Osler Health Centre Foundation, and Chair of the Black Business Professionals and Associations (BBPA) National Scholarship Fund. During her time in the Caribbean, Harriet served as a director on several RBC subsidiary boards.

In recognition of her professional achievements and service to the community she is the recipient of numerous awards including being named one of the 100 Most Influential Black Canadians in 2022, the Power of Inclusion Award in 2021, and the Martin Luther King Award, Community Impact in 2020.

Harriet holds an MBA from Athabasca University, and is a recent ICD.D graduate of the Directors Education Program at the Rotman School of Management.