To mark Remembrance Day, TD Stories worked with TD Salutes – a North American-wide employee resource group for veterans, reservists, and allies – to spotlight an active member of the military, who also works at the Bank.
Jake Gaudet lives a double-life.
At TD, he's an Assistant Market Manager, TD Wealth, leading the Private Banking team in Atlantic Canada. He's also Corporal Gaudet and an active reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) where he serves as an infantry soldier with the Princess Louise Fusiliers regiment based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Last year, Gaudet took a 10-month leave of absence from the Bank to deploy with the CAF in Latvia, contributing to NATO deterrence and defense measures in Central and Eastern Europe as part of Operation REASSURANCE. Gaudet, who first joined the CAF Reserves as an Infantry Officer in his first year of university, knows his military experience has equipped him with the skills he needs to lead at the Bank and beyond.
During his time in the reserves and on deployment at Camp Adazi, his base in Latvia, he learned countless lessons about leadership that he now brings to his work at TD.
From the Canadian Arms Forces to TD – and back
Gaudet long held plans to enlist.
"I grew up in a small town surrounded by family members who were in the military," he said. "Seeing them in uniform created this sense of admiration for all who served from an early age."
He remembers playing "army" in the forest near his childhood home in Nova Scotia. Later in high school, a teacher's son spoke to Gaudet's class about his experience serving in Afghanistan. That's when Gaudet's interest in enlisting was really piqued.
During undergrad, he enrolled in the CAF Reserves as an infantry officer. He released after his third year of university to focus on developing his civilian career, specifically in the banking industry.
He's now been at TD for more than a decade, working many roles both in branch and corporate functions. He's currently an Assistant Market Manager, TD Wealth, where he leads the Private Banking team for Atlantic Canada. In 2022, he re-enlisted in the CAF, this time as an infantry soldier. He seized on the opportunity to enlist overseas as a chance to serve his country in 2024.
During his peacetime mission, he and the other members of his Force Protection Platoon spent the majority of their four-month deployment maintaining their equipment, doing training exercises and helping with other tasks and exercises around the base.
One of his proudest moments was receiving the first-ever Multinational Brigade – Latvia Commander's Commendation for the mentorship, leadership and technical efficacy he showed during a NATO task—the first of its kind under Operation REASSURANCE.
Gaudet often jokes that his platoon-mates called him "Undercover Boss" while at Camp Adazi. Gaudet was a few years older than them – and his chain of command – and had more civilian work and leadership experience. Even though he was at the bottom of the chain of command, his experience in leadership working at the Bank helped him positively influence his platoon's effectiveness and morale – and also, financial literacy.
Now that he's back in Canada, he credits his military experience with helping him develop transferable skills that have been essential in his career – skills like discipline, accountability, resiliency and the importance of truly knowing your people.
"Formal credentials, courses and training barely scratch the surface on someone's true value," he said. "You can only help someone leverage their full potential within a team by truly getting to know them and empowering them along with their strengths."
TD Salutes
Gaudet also values connecting with colleagues throughout the Bank via TD Salutes, an employee resource group for veterans, reservists and allies. He participates in panel discussions and more informal gatherings to share his experiences and learn and support those around them.
TD Salutes not only provides space for connection, but it helps contribute to the Bank's culture of breaking down barriers for all to thrive, including veterans and reservists —and for those returning from deployment, can help them transition into civilian careers.
"The Bank is proud of the many veterans and reservists who choose to pursue fulfilling civilian careers at TD, acknowledging the immense sacrifices they have made for our country and the unique skillsets they bring to the workforce," said Erin Forbes, Senior Manager, People with Disabilities & Veterans.
The veteran and reservist community, as Gaudet knows, has a unique perspective on service and leadership that works to enhance the Bank. He's proud to bring his full self to work every day, sharing his experience with his fellow colleagues and the clients they serve.
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