Commercial Sustainable Finance

Besa Xhyheri

Managing Director & Head

Besa is a purpose driven leader focused on reshaping the future. As the Managing Director and Head of Sustainable Finance for RBC’s Commercial Bank, Besa is responsible for integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into corporate debt solutions known as Sustainable Finance. With more than two decades of progressive experience across Canadian and International Banking, Besa has held leadership roles in sustainable finance, corporate lending, and credit strategy, she designs and implements financing strategies that align with sustainability objectives, ensuring that corporate debt instruments advance ESG goals.

Prior to her current role, Besa spearheaded the launch of innovative financing programs, including Renewable Energy Project Finance, and Sustainable Agriculture Financing. She played a pivotal role in designing RBC’s recurring revenue lending model, developing the bank’s first Supply Chain Finance and Receivables Finance programs, and implementing critical risk frameworks during the COVID-19 response.

Besa holds an MBA from the University of Tirana in collaboration with the University of Nebraska, and a Bachelor’s in Commerce from the University of Tirana. She also holds professional designations as a Chartered Investment Manager and Financial Management Advisor.

A committed mentor and community contributor, Besa supports newcomer professionals, leads mentorship programs at RBC, and volunteers with RBC Race for the Kids. Passionate about building inclusive, future-focused teams, Besa uses finance as a tool for climate resilience, innovation, and equitable growth.

Christine Chiu

Senior Director, Energy Transition

Christine leads the advancement of RBC’s Commercial Bank growth mandate in renewable energy and low-carbon technologies. In her role as Senior Director, Energy Transition, she focuses on delivering long-term financing solutions to asset owners and developers.

Prior to her roles at RBC, she held leadership roles in sustainable finance and renewable energy. At Mitsubishi HC Capital, she drove origination and execution in renewable energy and clean tech. At CORE Partners LP and Finance Earth, she managed due diligence and advisory for solar and natural capital projects. Christine holds a Master of Science from the London School of Economics, a Master of Science from the Universiteit Van Amsterdam, and a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University.

Colin Guldimann

Senior Director, Sustainable Finance

Colin is a Senior Director within RBC’s Sustainable Finance Commercial Banking group and works with RBC’s business banking clients to integrate ESG factors into their debt financing. He also advises them on emerging trends in climate while guiding their decarbonization strategies.

An economist by background, Colin has authored several major reports for RBC on the interface between climate change and the Canadian economy, including “The $2 Trillion Transition” and “High Rise, Low Carbon.”

Prior to joining RBC, Colin worked on mortgage and macro-financial policy for the Department of Finance Canada.

Miguel L'Heureux

Director, Sustainable Finance

Miguel is a Director in the Sustainable Finance Commercial Banking group. His role is to engage with commercial clients across Canada and support them in achieving their sustainability ambitions, by leading advisory engagements and executing sustainable finance transactions. Miguel has a diverse background of experience in progressively senior roles, having spent much of his 10-year career working internationally in China and Thailand. His passion for ESG, a client first mindset, and collaborative approach has positioned him to prosper in his role.

Miguel first joined RBC in 2019 as part of the Capital Markets, Global Credit team before moving to the Corporate Client Group, where he was responsible for structuring and executing senior debt solutions for institutional clients. Miguel is a CFA Charterholder, holds an MBA from Fudan University and an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Ottawa. He also is trilingual, speaking English, French, and Mandarin.