As the first open and visible gay executive for Canada’s largest bank, Lawrence is a role model and a mentor to colleagues and is committed to using his executive currency to drive change. His 2016 presentation to the RBC Diversity Leadership Council served as a catalyst for an enterprise-wide PRIDE event in June 2017, where he moderated a Group Executive panel discussing the importance of Out Allies. Since becoming Executive Chair for the employee resource group PRIDE Canada, membership has grown and Lawrence has championed initiatives such as the ability for employees to self-identify their LGBT+ status in HR processes, and a formal mentorship program. In 2017, he was appointed to the executive advisory council of Queen’s University, developing a LGBTQ Executive Leadership Program, a first in Canada. In addition to his impact inside RBC, Lawrence is a regular speaker at Universities, Pride events, and on panels on LGBT+ issues and is a champion of LGBT+ young professionals through advocacy work in Canada and internationally.
