Cynthia helps shape the narratives and research agenda around the RBC Economics and Thought Leadership team’s forward-looking economic and policy analysis. She joined the team in 2020.

Previously, Cynthia was an executive at Finance Canada, most recently heading a team responsible for housing finance policy covering housing-related risks, mortgage lending and funding markets, and the commercial activities of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. She also has experience in current economic analysis and fiscal policy.

Cynthia holds an M.A. Economics degree from the University of Toronto.

Robert Hogue is responsible for providing analysis and forecasts on the Canadian housing market and provincial economies. His publications include Housing Trends and Affordability, Provincial Outlook and provincial budget commentaries. In his functions, he is frequently called to comment on the economy both internally within RBC and externally with clients and the media.

Robert joined RBC in May 2008 after spending 15 years with another Canadian financial institution as a senior economist specializing in industrial analysis. At the outset of his career, he spent four years as an economist with Ontario Hydro, where he specialized in industrial and macroeconomic analysis. Robert holds a Master’s degree in economics from Queen’s University and a Bachelor’s degree from Université de Montréal.

Claire Fan joined RBC as an economist since 2019 after graduating with a bachelor of business administration from the University of Toronto, and a master in financial economics from Western University. At RBC, she focuses on covering the macroeconomic outlook for Canada and the United States, and is responsible for projecting key indicators including GDP, employment and inflation. Her publications include the inflation watch series and various other analyses on labour market trends, recession probabilities and inequalities.

Naomi joined RBC in 2020. She is responsible for developing the narratives driving the team’s economics and thought leadership reports. Prior to joining RBC, she worked as a business journalist in Canada and Europe, where her coverage of European economics appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and Globe and Mail.

She most recently reported on international trade and economics for the Financial Post. Naomi is a graduate of Queen’s University and Toronto Metropolitan University.

Darren Chow manages the overall look and feel of RBC Thought Leadership and RBC Economics content. A graduate of the York University/Sheridan College Bachelor of Design program and a post-graduate degree in computer animation from Sheridan College.

Darren is well versed in all things multimedia and is involved in all stages of the design process, from concept development and storyboarding to testing and deployment. He brings a wealth of experience to the team, previously working with Autodesk, Blackberry, CIBC, CTV, HOK, and Appleby College.

Farah has spent the last 15 years at the intersection of business and government, providing strategic policy advice and insights on the issues at the heart of Canadian prosperity. As Senior Director, Content Strategy she brings ideas to life in various formats to reach economic decision-makers and influencers.

Prior to joining RBC, she led thought leadership programs for Deloitte Canada and Deloitte Global Public Policy. An economist by training, Farah has also worked within the Government of Canada and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to advance a wide range of policy issues, including natural resource management, cyber security and manufacturing.