Driving business results while helping young people thrive: RBC leader Devon Thompson receives the 2025-26 UBC Alumni Builder Award

Devon Thompson has worked with hundreds of senior executives and entrepreneurs during her 24-year career in the financial services industry, but it’s the young people she gets to know while volunteering at the UBC Sauder School of Business that keep her on her toes. Connecting with students gives her a glimpse of the future. 

“I love learning and I’m deeply curious, so when I spend time with students, I gain a different perspective. They help me stay sharp,” says Thompson, a UBC MBA (’12) alum who leads a team of 140 people as RBC’s Vice President, Business Markets for B.C. 

Embracing leadership opportunities and reaching across generations     

After earning her MBA in 2012 at UBC Sauder’s Robert H. Lee Graduate School, Thompson became an active alum – blending her love of education with her desire to give back. Whether coaching and mentoring students or speaking at school events or hiring interns and new grads, she’s helped scores of graduates launch successful careers. Her contributions were recently recognized by the university when they presented her with the 2025/26 UBC Alumni Builder Award.  

“When I received the news, it was such a surprise and one that I was thrilled to share with my family, especially since I met my husband at UBC Sauder,” says Thompson. “I gained so much from my MBA and many of the lessons I learned I apply every day at work, so naturally I want to give back whenever I can.”

The secret to meaningful volunteerism 

Thompson’s volunteer efforts are not limited to the UBC community. She serves on the Advisory Committee of the Vancouver Board of Trade’s Scale-up Centre for SMEs, a program that supports small and medium-sized companies to achieve their business goals. She’s also a member of the Board of Governors of Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island.

Reflecting on the question of how to balance work, family and community service, Thompson says, “I try to be selective and strategic with my volunteer time. I stick with one or two causes that really excite me, like education and learning, and I go deep.”
 

Leading by example and enlisting mentors

As a senior leader overseeing a large team that works with early-stage companies across diverse industries, Thompson spends a lot of time thinking about how leadership can inspire people and drive results. 

“For me, leadership starts with integrity and trust. I build trust with my team and our clients by spending lots of time listening, asking questions and getting to know a person. A relationship based on trust and integrity allows us to think bolder, set bigger goals and make the impossible achievable.”
When confronted with a particular business challenge, Thompson often reaches out to her MBA cohort who provide their perspectives and wide-ranging business experience.  

“We’re a sounding board for each other and we talk about all kinds of business issues as well as business opportunities.”

She also enjoys regular check-ins with UBC Sauder’s Executive Director of Professional Growth, Martina Valkovicova.  

“Martina and I are both lifelong learners, so we discuss the latest developments in education and learning. Our conversations help me stay relevant and she helps me be a better leader.”

Not so much a mentor as a guiding star, Thompson credits her mother for showing her how to lead with courage. 

“I’m so rooted in my values as a leader because of my mom’s integrity, passion, hard work and sacrifice. I stand on her shoulders.”
 

Bridging higher education and the business community 

Advice for students pursuing a career in finance

Year after year, students come to Thompson with the same question: How do I prepare for a career in finance? Her advice is simple – actions speak louder than words. 

“It’s not enough to say you love finance, you need to show what you’re doing to learn everything you can about the industry. I want to know about your summer jobs, your volunteer work, what you’re reading, what clubs you’ve joined and what conferences you’ve attended. Your efforts should tell a compelling story about you.” 

Her second piece of advice is relevant to people of all ages and stages in their careers. 

“Assemble a group of close advisors to help you make sound career decisions. I call this your personal board of directors. They are people with business experience and life experience whose opinion and constructive feedback you value and trust. Above all, they have your best interests at heart.” 

By sharing leadership lessons with UBC Sauder students, Thompson is giving back to the community while creating a pathway for graduates to enter the world of finance. She’s also fostering the next generation of leaders.