Sariina Maier

Internal Field Examiner, RBC Capital Market

40 Under 40 Category: Internal Field Examination

Biography:

Sariina Maier is a vice president in the RBC Capital Markets ABL Group, wife, and mother of two.  Since joining the field exam team in 2009, she has garnered a wealth of knowledge and experience across a variety of industries including: oil & gas, lumber, steel, distribution and more.  Sariina takes pride in delivering superior service to clients internally and externally and enjoys being a mentor and resource to her co-workers.  Her primary focus is to perform field exams for new business surveys and the most difficult recurring engagements.  Prior to joining RBC, Sariina was an accounting professional and manager at a multinational resource development corporation as well as at a multi-divisional private enterprise in the environmental and recycling, emulsions, and aggregates and construction industries.  She received her Honours Bachelor of Business Administration, Accountancy from Brock University and is a CPA, CGA.  

How would you define what a good leader is, and what can you do to reflect those characteristics as you progress in your career?

A good leader is one who can successfully braid together resourcefulness, drive/passion, and empowerment.  A good leader will see the potential for greatness and impact in projects as well as their people and set ambitious goals for the team to grow and stretch to deliver.  It takes inspiring commitment, allocating the right resources to the right task, and establishing productive communication to empower the team to succeed.  These are all attributes that I value in my leaders and that I strive to emulate in my work and relationships with my peers today as well as in the advancement of my career.

When interviewing junior talent, what do you say to pique their interest in accepting a position in this industry?

Although few learn about ABL in University, it is an exciting industry and there’s never a dull moment.  I speak from a field examiner’s point of view - but come work with us and you’ll meet all kinds of individuals from warehouse employees to executives, learn about all kinds of industries, and visit many cities across North America.  There’s a high degree of autonomy when you’re alone during field work, but a high sense of belonging with our close-knit team of colleagues working collectively to close and monitor deals. 

It can be very challenging for some when an instructional template can’t easily be applied to every deal we come across in exactly the same manner as the one before, but rising to the challenge and applying best practices is also what makes it exciting and rewarding!  As you learn and grow, you’ll be a valuable resource to your firm in evaluating and mitigating risk and a resource they can turn to when they want to know more about what the Company’s operations look like from the ground.

How do you think the commercial finance industry can attract more young professionals?

Not to sound too cliché, but networking isn’t just for those looking to find a mentor and take their career to the next level. Networking is about nurturing relationships and sharing information like educating others about the commercial finance industry and its opportunities.  I’ve noticed an increase in the bright young professionals joining us and I think the industry has done a good job of bringing in professionals who are benefitting from the opportunity to work shoulder to shoulder with the more experienced staff of the firm.  It has been a lot of fun to share in after-work activities both in my group, across the firm, and with industry-related associations that build connections through educational, networking, and volunteer opportunities all whilst promoting diversity and inclusion.

What advice do you normally give to the junior talent you mentor/what advice would you give to forthcoming generation of talent aspiring to win this award?

Everywhere you look in today’s business environment, you’ll see companies directing their teams to do more with less.  Listen, learn and debate with passion to drive efficiencies and work hard on what matters. This includes listening to the needs of the client, considering the firm’s risk appetite, and building a deal structure with the terms and details that are best for all.  When client-facing, you are always on display as a representative of your firm and you should represent accordingly.  Be excited and purposeful about what you do.  Good luck!