Pride at TD Securities: Kristina Roderos and Cathal Meally

At TD Securities, we value bringing your whole, authentic self to work. In celebration of Pride Month in North America, we're highlighting the efforts of our 2SLGBTQ+ colleagues – from both a professional and personal lens. Each week, our talented colleagues are sharing their insights on the importance of leading with pride, what being a part of the community means to them, and what advice they would give to other 2SLGBTQ+ colleagues and industry professionals.

In the first of our three profiles, we speak to Kristina Roderos, Associate on our Debt Capital Markets team in Canada who helps issuers access the private debt market, and Cathal Meally, Senior Analyst working with our Operational Risk Management team in Dublin.

KR: I am privileged to be able to share my journey at TD Securities when connecting with prospective applicants and students interested in a career in capital markets. As an out and proud 2SLGBTQ+ employee in Global Markets, I experience the inclusive and supportive culture at TD Securities every single day and I can genuinely advocate for it. As a member of the Forever Proud employee resource group, I am given the voice to help continuously improve the culture at TD Securities by providing direct feedback to senior leaders and by helping with various initiatives at the firm.

CM: From a personal perspective, it's rewarding to be part of building a culture of inclusivity. We're making a change so that younger generations can be their true and authentic selves in the workplace without fear of negative repercussions to their career. While doing so, I've met and worked alongside so many great and passionate people in different parts of the business from across the globe.

KR: When I first started at TD Securities, I was not sure how I should approach coming out to my team members. Through our 2SLGBTQ+ Peer-to-Peer Mentorship program, I connected with out, visible senior leaders in client-facing roles, who shared their experiences and gave me great advice about coming out and how natural and effortless it can be. As I got to know my people managers and team members, who are very open about their support for minority communities, this encouraged me to be comfortable about being myself. As a result, my relationship with my team members and our team dynamic have only strengthened.

CM: The TD Securities 2SLGBTQ+ community has greatly impacted my time at TD for the better. To see so many people share their stories and be open about their own journeys has inspired me to be more open myself. I have worked in the financial services industry for 15 years and have always been out in work, but TD is the first institution where I joined a business resource group and actively got involved. To see such support from the top has been refreshing.

KR: I once worked in a capital markets environment where being an out and proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community was not necessarily welcomed. As a newcomer to Canada, I specifically targeted TD and TD Securities as my employer-of-choice because I knew the bank and the investment bank are strong and vocal supporters of the community. As I was going through the recruitment process and after connecting with both junior and senior leaders at the firm, I realized the people who worked there across all levels are empathetic, good-hearted, and accepting of people with different backgrounds. We foster an environment where I can bring my whole self to work – and for me that means I can be open about my different identities (female, lesbian/queer, person-of-color, immigrant, etc.) and at the same time still grow and thrive at my place of work.

CM: It's all about comfort: to not worry about having to tailor or censor myself and be open about my life. This allows me to foster and build real relationships in work, as well as focusing on my job and not having anxiety about being outed or someone treating me differently because I identify as gay. I have had negative experiences about being out in work in previous firms, so it's a joy now to just be me.

KR: Always do your homework when taking on a new job or role to ensure that you are joining a 2SLGBTQ+-supportive environment. Do not be afraid to be your authentic self, as sometimes, it is only internalized fear that is holding you back. Dare to be different, as there is value in contributing diversity in thought and background to a team. Lastly, find community within your workplace for support and to have fun! Aside from being part of the Forever Proud group at TD Securities, I participate in and benefit from various supportive communities in the firm such as Women in Leadership and Minorities in Leadership, as well as the 2SLGBTQ+ Women Community in the broader bank.

CM: Cliched as it may sound, I would advise those new to the workforce to just be yourself. Don’t try and be someone you're not or hide your unique light. You shouldn’t deter from chasing your professional aspirations because of the fear that someone won't accept you. I have experienced the negative in the past, but times are changing for the better. If you encounter negativity or ignorance about being 2SLGBTQ+, then remember it's nothing to do with you; it's their issue. Remember to leverage business resource groups, find your people and unapologetically wave your 2SLGBTQ+ flag!