Rhonda Klosler: From Co-op to COO, Building Through Relationships

Rhonda Klosler is the National Chief Operating Officer for RSM Canada, where she is helping to bring the firm’s vision to life—to build a leading firm in the Canadian middle market, defined by strong relationships, an exceptional talent experience, and the strength of an integrated global platform. She works closely with the leadership team to execute the Canadian strategy and is shaping a leading firm built differently for the Canadian middle market, combining local insight with the scale and capabilities of a global RSM organization.

With more than 30 years in professional services, Rhonda has played a key role in the launch of RSM Canada and its rapid growth. She also leads the Eastern Canada market, with a focus on growth, culture, and talent.

Rhonda is a graduate of Brock University and a Fellow of CPA Ontario. She has received several distinctions in recognition of her leadership and impact, including the Goodman Distinguished Graduate Award and the Brock University Alumni Brilliance Award.

Known for her people-first leadership style, Rhonda believes long-term success is built through investing in relationships. She is deeply committed to creating a strong talent experience, fostering an inclusive culture, and developing the next generation of leaders. Her commitment to stewardship is central to her leadership, reflected in her ongoing focus on giving back and supporting the communities she serves.

What led you to choose Brock and the Goodman School of Business?

I grew up in a small town of 2,000 people in Central Ontario. Neither of my parents went to university, but they always instilled in us the importance of post-secondary education.

When it came time to choose a school, I knew I wanted to go into accounting, and entering a co-op program was important to me. I wanted to gain work experience alongside my studies. 

The size of the campus was also a factor. Coming from a small town, I was not looking for the scale of a big city. I had spent time in Toronto and knew that the environment was not the right fit for me.  

Brock felt different. It felt like a place where I could build community and form real relationships, something that has stayed with me throughout my career

Eight months into my first year, I landed my first co-op work term at an accounting firm, Smith Nixon LLP –  ironically, in Toronto. That experience became my transition point, and the interesting part is that I never left. 

Smith Nixon was one of the first firms to hire from Brock’s co-op accounting program, and we’ve continued that relationship now for more than 50 years. 

I went on to earn my Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) certification, became a partner, and over time, the firm that was once Smith Nixon evolved into RSM Canada. 

And, somewhat fittingly, the only resume I’ve ever written was the one that landed that first co-op all those years ago.

Are there any fond memories, fun stories, or anecdotes from your time at Brock that stand out?

I met my husband at Brock, and my dearest friend – we met on our very first day in residence, and we’re still like family to this day. 

That’s what I’m most grateful to Brock for.  It gave me my career, but it also gave me some of the most important relationships in my life – and that has stayed with me.

There was also a core group of six or seven of us in the accounting program who were incredibly close. Because our co-op terms were in the winter, we were always back on campus together in the summer.

I still think about those summer evenings, barbecues, spending time together, and getting into a bit of trouble. Those moments and relationships are woven into everything.

What experiences, courses, people, or programs at Brock had the greatest influence on your development?

It always comes back to the co-op program.

I was placed at Smith Nixon, where there were about 20 co-op students, so from day one, I had a strong peer group. Just as importantly, the firm had a team dedicated to developing students. They invested in us, gave us real work, and made sure we were part of the team.

You sometimes hear about internships where students aren’t fully utilized. This was the opposite. I was challenged, supported, and brought back each year, building on my experience over time.

What stood out most was the opportunity to build relationships early in my career. I worked with the same clients year after year, and in fact, the very first job I worked on is still a client today.

Beyond co-op, the people at Brock had a lasting impact. It was a smaller program, so you built real relationships with professors and leaders. The Dean was approachable and intentional about making connections and opening doors.

There was also an audit professor, Jack Edd, who took a genuine interest in me. Having someone invest in your success like that gives you confidence that carries much further than you expect—and it’s something I’ve tried to pay forward throughout my career.

That experience really shaped how I think about leadership today: investing in people and relationships is what creates the strongest foundations for long-term success.

What milestones or achievements best represent your career journey or impact since graduating?

Eight years ago, we had a vision.

At the time, we were a $50 million practice in Toronto with 200 people. We saw an opportunity to build a national firm in the Canadian middle market—something stronger, more connected, and built differently. We partnered with RSM and brought the brand into Canada.

Today, we are a team of 1,400 people with six offices across the country and close to $250 million in revenue, and we’re continuing to grow as the market looks for what we offer.

What I hope to be remembered for is not just the growth, but how we achieved it. We built something meaningful by investing in people and creating strong, trusted relationships.

My leadership has always been grounded in that belief—that when you focus on people, you create an environment where they can grow, succeed, and have real impact in their careers.

In turn, that’s what has driven the success of RSM Canada. The firm we’ve built reflects the strength of those relationships, and that’s the legacy I’m most proud of.

That mindset—the resilience, the willingness to build something over time—I trace back to Brock. There’s a certain mindset that comes from being the underdog. You work a little harder, and you build things that last.

Are there any moments in your career where you felt underestimated? How did you become undeniable?

My entire career.

I’m a five-foot-one woman (in my head, I’m six-foot-three), and I’ve built my career in a predominantly male profession. At times, I’ve felt underestimated, but I’ve also learned that success isn’t about proving people wrong; it’s about staying focused on what matters and continuing to grow.

I’ve been fortunate to have leaders who advocated for me, and that shaped how I think about leadership. You have to invest in people, advocate for them, and help create opportunities. At the same time, individuals have to be willing to push themselves and step into uncomfortable situations.

Earlier in my career, I often questioned whether I belonged in the room. With time, experience, and strong support around me, I’ve come to understand the importance of sharing your story because others learn from it, and it creates space for more open, honest conversations.

One of the most pivotal moments for me was stepping into the COO role. I moved away from a client-facing role into a firm-building leadership role, which was a significant shift. We knew that for RSM Canada to grow into what it is today, someone needed to be focused on the business as a whole. It wasn’t an easy decision, and at the time, I still questioned whether I was the right person.

Even today, I have moments of doubt, but those experiences have reinforced something important in how I lead. I believe in creating an environment where people feel supported, where they can be open about challenges, and where they are encouraged to grow.

That’s why I focus so much on relationships. When you invest in people and create that kind of environment, it builds confidence, strengthens teams, and ultimately drives long-term success.

How do you hope your story inspires the next generation of Brock and Goodman graduates?

Invest in relationships. I know that sounds simple, but it’s everything. 

Technical skills are table stakes; there are a lot of smart people out there. What truly sets people apart is how they show up: how they build trust, collaborate, and invest in others.  

Brock creates that environment. It gives students the opportunity to build those connections early and to develop the confidence that comes from being known, supported, and challenged.

My advice is simple: be curious, put your hand up, and seek out opportunities. Growth doesn’t happen when things feel comfortable; it happens when you lean into the moments that push you.

I didn’t have a roadmap. I came from a small, blue-collar community, but I had the right support around me. I asked questions, I looked for opportunities, and I invested in the people I met along the way.

You are not limited by where you start. You’re defined by your willingness to grow and by how you show up for others. When you invest in relationships, you create opportunities, not just for yourself, but for the people around you.

Why is supporting the Goodman legacy important to you? What does legacy mean in the context of your journey?

I’ve had many people who have had a profound impact on my career. They were generous with their time, their perspective, and their belief in me—and that’s something I feel a strong responsibility to pay forward.

Supporting the Goodman legacy is really about that. It’s about investing in the next generation through mentoring students, spending time on campus, and being actively involved with the Goodman Legacy Council alongside other alumni who are passionate about giving back and strengthening the community.

I’m incredibly grateful to Brock for everything it’s given me. It provided the foundation for my career, but just as importantly, it gave me the relationships and opportunities that shaped who I am today. I’m proud of that, and I want others to feel the same sense of connection and possibility.

My husband and I have also established scholarships because we believe in creating access to those opportunities for the next generation. Legacy, to me, is about the impact you have on people: creating paths for others, building confidence, and opening doors.

At its core, it comes back to relationships. When you invest in people and support their growth, the impact extends far beyond any one individual. That’s what it means to give back, and that’s the legacy I hope to continue building.