March 18, 2026

Leading Change with Influence from Where You Are | Ep 22

Leading Change with Influence from Where You Are | Ep 22
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What does it really mean to influence change, even when you don’t have a formal title? In this episode of Change Leadership Conversations, Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta is joined by Jeremy Schmidt, VP and Senior Manager of Organizational Change Management at RBC’s U.S. Wealth Management Division.

Jeremy shares how he went from financial advisor to change leader, and how anyone, regardless of job title, can play a meaningful role in shaping change. This conversation is full of grounded insights on influence, remote leadership, and the mindset shift from “doing change” to leading it with intention and integrity. 

Whether you’re a new practitioner or experienced leader, you’ll walk away with practical takeaways for leading change in today’s fast-evolving world of work.

In this episode, we explore: 

  • Why change leadership is about mindset 

  • How to build trust and influence in remote or hybrid environments 

  • The difference between authority and influence in leading change 

  • How to build organization-wide change capability 

  • The power of continuous learning, reflection, and small intentional actions 

Guest Bio: 

Jeremy Schmidt is Vice President and Senior Manager of Organizational Change Management at RBC’s U.S. Wealth Management Division. With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Jeremy began his career as a financial advisor and transitioned into change leadership after discovering a deep passion for helping people adapt and thrive through transformation. He is a dedicated advocate for practical change leadership and capability building across all levels of an organization. 

 

Resources & Links: 

  • Connect with Jeremy Schmidt on LinkedIn 

  • Connect with Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta on LinkedIn 

 

Brought to You By: 

The Change Leadership – Your go-to ecosystem for future-ready change leadership training, resources, and the annual Change Leadership Conference. Learn more at  TheChangeLeadership.com.