Richard Harrison is a seasoned Transformational Program Leader and is currently Senior Director, Projects and Sales Enablement (Canada/UK) at Equifax. With over 20 years of experience driving change through project and program implementations, he has a strong background in the Public Sector and FinTech. He has also led his own consultancy and played a key role in establishing the UK’s first Public-Private Municipal Government Trading Company, integrating Housing and Social Services.
Beyond his professional work, Richard is actively involved in governance and strategic planning. He serves on the Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP), Global Certification Governance Committee and chairs the Strategic Planning Committee for his local choir, where he is also a member of the Executive Board.
A former mentee turned mentor in the TRIEC Mentoring Partnership (TMP) program, Richard has firsthand experience of the transformative power of mentorship. He shares his insights on career transitions, leadership development, and community engagement.
What motivated you to join the TMP program as a mentor, and how has this decision influenced your professional journey?
I was motivated to join TMP as a mentor due to my own positive experience as a mentee in the program back in 2013. Having benefited from the program and successfully assimilated into the Canadian professional culture, I felt a desire to give back and support others in their journey.
Mentoring as part of the program has been a fulfilling reminder of the joy and satisfaction that comes from helping others. This experience has encouraged me to seek opportunities to add value within my communities, helping others through sharing knowledge and experiences.
I see myself continuing to mentor in the future and potentially volunteering to speak at events knowing that my professional journey and experiences can help others.
How has mentoring helped you develop as a leader and make an impact in your community or workplace?
Serving as a mentor in TMP has been a reflective experience, reminding me of my own journey. I believe sharing real-life examples– demonstrating practical application of tools and strategies is more impactful than isolated theory. Furthermore, I’ve found ‘Situational Leadership’ imperative throughout my career so far; recognizing that different people and situations require different approaches, there is no one size fits all.
I’ve always championed learning from those who have gone before us; we can accelerate our personal growth and adopt best practices to enrich our own experiences. Overcoming challenges and turning negatives into positives are essential lessons I’ve learned and often receive positive feedback from others on the value added when sharing these experiences.
As stated by Tony Robbins “Success leaves clues. Go figure out what someone who was successful did, and model it, improve it. But learn their steps, they have knowledge.” Personally, I believe in lifelong learning and that we can learn from anyone. There is value in emulating positive traits and adapting them to our own style. However, while it’s important to integrate new learnings and approaches it is important that you adopt authentically with traits that fit your personality and style.
What skills have you applied through mentoring to drive change or advocacy outside of work or initiatives beyond your professional environment?
Mentoring has provided a valuable opportunity to see my existing skill set through a different lens. Sharing the strategies and tools that helped me as a newcomer to Canada, combined with my experience as a senior leader driving change, has been incredibly rewarding. The reflective nature of the process has also allowed me to appreciate my own growth since arriving in Canada, and it’s been fulfilling to share that perspective with a new immigrant.
Could you share a specific success story or moment of pride from your mentoring experience?
The entire journey was fulfilling, but a moment that truly stood out was the final session with my mentee. We dedicated that time to reflect on our shared experience and exchange feedback.
Hearing my mentee articulate his takeaways and seeing evidence that he had genuinely valued my guidance was incredibly rewarding. His validation of my insights through conversations with other mentors and professionals underscored the impact of our relationship. Concluding our mentorship as friends, mirroring my own positive experience as a mentee, was the perfect culmination.
What unique perspectives or contributions do Black professionals bring to leadership roles in organizations?
Everyone brings unique perspectives and contributions to leadership roles, shaped by their individual backgrounds and experiences. It’s truly a matter of what they’ve encountered throughout their journey. My international perspective, gained from working and conducting business in multiple countries and cultures, is something I consider an asset.
Unfortunately, unconscious bias is something that people of colour and other visible minority groups often experience firsthand. This lived experience provides a unique understanding that many Black professionals naturally bring to leadership roles. Fortunately, awareness and education around unconscious bias is increasing.
What advice would you share with Black professionals in Canada who are seeking employment or aspiring to grow into leadership roles, especially as they aim to influence both within and beyond the workplace?
Build a strong network. Both personal and professional connections can open doors and provide valuable support.
Consider volunteering. It helps individuals grow personally and professionally by developing skills, expanding networks, and fostering community connections.
Seek out mentors and coaches. Don’t hesitate to ask someone you admire for guidance. A good leader will invest in the development of others.
Be clear about your needs. Proactively express your needs. Even though biases are decreasing, it remains important to advocate for yourself and clearly state what kind of support you need.
Learn from your mistakes. Everyone makes them, the key is to learn and grow from those experiences.
Inspired by Richard’s journey? You can make a difference in the lives of immigrant professionals by helping them thrive in their careers by becoming a mentor with TRIEC. Learn more: https://www.mentoringpartnership.ca/join-us/become-a-mentor/