Alumni Q&A: BComm alumna Dian Chaaban exemplifies why networking is always a worthwhile investment
Bachelor of Commerce alumna Dian Chaaban has long appreciated the value of a strong professional network. Throughout her time at the University of Guelph, she focused on making connections that would help launch her career as a corporate lawyer, an aspiration that changed after she suffered a broken neck in the lead-up to writing her LSATs. While the injury caused her to miss the exam, it also gave her pause to reconsider what she wanted to do with her career. Again, she used her network and love for economics to transition into banking, and now runs her own wealth management business within RBC Dominion Securities Inc. where her ability to build relationships is a priceless skill.
Over the last several years, Dian has applied her passion for networking to help start the wildly successful Gryphons on Bay Street networking event that unites University of Guelph alumni in downtown Toronto.
In this Q&A, Dian discusses her career evolution, her time at U of G and how the networking event came to be.
What drew you to the University of Guelph?
The campus! It was so beautiful and felt like home from the moment I got there.
Why did you choose the Marketing Management major?
I chose this major because I am a planner. I grew up wanting to be a corporate lawyer, so I knew a commerce degree with a major in marketing would give me the skills to grow my own firm. I also took as many philosophy courses possible for my electives to think “critically.” I was also involved in approximately 30 boards and committees to hone my skills, gain professional experience and grow my network. The only thing I didn’t plan was breaking my neck – which ended up being a blessing in disguise because it re-directed the trajectory of my personal and professional life in the best way possible.
You are currently an investment and wealth advisor at RBC Dominion Securities Inc. How did you start your career in this area of finance?
Well, let’s rewind to the broken neck and how it lead me to RBC. I was at a cottage with friends for the May long weekend during my last year at Guelph to be with friends as I needed a break from studying for the LSAT. After an awkward tumble off the shoulders of my now husband (who is also a Guelph alumnus), I broke my neck that weekend and never ended up writing the LSAT. I had an incredible amount of support from U of G, family & friends and recovered quickly – it was mind over matter after the miracle work of the surgeons. I drove myself back to Guelph that August and joined the liaison team working in recruitment for the university and then took a leadership course through the University of Guelph. After graduating, I realized I didn’t really want to be a lawyer all along but I loved the commerce and economics portion of my degree, so I thought banking would be interesting. I had a friend who worked at RBC who introduced me to his boss… and the rest is history as they say. I worked my way from the main branch in Toronto and then into the national head office for RBC Dominion Securities working as a national business development consultant helping investment advisors across the country run more efficient practices, refine their client service and develop business-growth plans. After three years of that, I was encouraged by senior leadership to “stop talking about it and do it myself” and I have been growing my own wealth management business (it is an entrepreneurial career within the firm) for the past three years and it’s incredibly fulfilling.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
While my title is “investment and wealth advisor”, I am truly a relationship manager – and this is the part I enjoy most about my work. My clients’ loyalty is a privilege I work hard to keep every day. It is a beautiful feeling knowing I am helping families reach new levels of financial success and confidence through proper planning to help them reach their unique goals.
How did your experience at the University of Guelph prepare you for your career?
My commerce degree is relevant each day as I grow my business – both from a business development and organizational perspective. It is also relevant as I keep pace with the fast changing economic landscape – making sure that clients’ portfolios are positioned strategically within global markets while strategically planning for their tax, estate, insurance and business needs.
The student advocacy and extra-curricular boards and groups I was a part of helped me with respect to growing a team, managing relationships and expectations, and managing a fast-paced business with many demands and limited hours in each day.
What career advice do you have for new graduates starting their careers in a similar area?
Meet as many people as you can because the opportunities to get your foot in the door really do stem from “who you know”. Once you are in, it is your hard (and I mean hard!) work that enables you to climb the ladder. Read as much as you can to educate yourself. Get your industry courses and designations to show initiative. And set reasonable expectations regarding your compensation. You are getting paid to learn in your first few years – remember that.
A few years ago, you started the Gryphons on Bay Street networking night event, which has become a huge success. How did this idea develop?
A big part of growing my business has been networking. I am always aiming to meet new people and want to help them in any capacity I can. Through my networking I kept coming across Guelph alumni downtown (there are lots of us) and whether I knew them on campus or not, having our alma mater in common was an instant connection. The idea developed right there. I thought “I must bring us all together to network together” because there is an instantly implied trust that follows from the quality of people Guelph breeds. Networking together to reach new levels of success makes sense and I believe it’s why the event has become such a huge success.
Why should alumni attend events like Gryphons on Bay Street?
It’s a great way to grow your business, advance in your career, meet great people and stay connected to the University and College without having to make the drive!
Dian regularly educates her clients and those around her about the world of finance and believes that financial literacy should be a common conversation. To help turn the dial further, Dian authors a weekly note every Friday, Word on the Street, in where she correlates what’s happening in the world to the financial market, making it a fun, digestible and educational read. Learn more about Dian or sign up for the weekly Word on the Street at www.dianchaaban.com.