The Spark Behind the Work: Maggie Zagikyan’s passion for people and purpose

The sparkle in Maggie’s eyes, when she speaks about the work she does at Rabobank’s London office, is what you first notice. The energy in the conversation instantly ramps up, buoyed by her infectious enthusiasm and excitement, and before you know it, you find yourself unable to do anything but smile too. She really, really loves what she does. And it shows.

Maggie first joined Rabobank as a receptionist 12 years ago, working through various roles where she was a personal assistant, business manager and governance analyst. But she says that it is in her current role as a CSR and People Engagement Lead that she truly feels her career journey has come full circle, leading her to where she is today.

“I came from a privileged background, but not in the way people often think of privilege. Mine came from having an incredibly loving family, where my parents instilled in me from a young age the importance of stewardship and using what we have to uplift others.”, Maggie shares. She grew up in a poorer London borough, where many communities faced economic challenges and gang culture was a visible part of life both in schools and on the streets. She was acutely aware, from a young age, of the importance of a supportive and stable home life, and good role models to look up to.

Because of this, Maggie has always been incredibly passionate about giving back to the community, and doing her part to bring about the same supportive and stable environment at work for her colleagues. Long before CSR and people engagement became part of her job, she was already spearheading volunteering and community outreach initiatives for the London branch, simply because it was how she believed she could actually make a difference. “Rabobank gave me exactly that: its values of empowering and uplifting people, and giving real purpose to the work we do, truly resonated with me. It put me in a position where I can positively impact and support those around me, as well as contribute to the wider society.”

For Maggie, CSR and giving back to the community isn’t just about having good intentions. “Real impact needs structure, commitment, and the right resources. Sustainable change doesn’t happen on its own; it happens when organisations invest in the people, processes and frameworks that turn ideas into action. I feel incredibly fortunate to work for an organisation that not only believes in doing the right thing, but provides the tools and support to make it happen.”

Firmly believing that a business is only as strong as its people, Maggie says it is pivotal for companies to build trust and connection among its workforce. To do so, they have to create environments where people feel valued and heard, and where everyone feels they have a seat at the table, and an ability to honestly voice their opinions.

And even though banking can be seen as an industry of privilege in terms of the resources it holds, it can still have a heart. Giving back to the communities we operate in is part of the Rabobank DNA, and Maggie’s work is testament to the commitment we stand by on this, as she leads our efforts to actively promote and create opportunities for colleagues to get involved in community volunteering.

Currently, in her role as CSR and People Engagement Lead, one of Maggie’s key focuses is in the London office’s longstanding partnership with City Harvest, a food charity that collects surplus foods from farms, food producers, wholesalers and retailers, and delivers it free to over 133,000 people and communities in need. City Harvest’s work is very aligned with Rabobank’s role as a leading global food & agriculture bank, as it works with local organisations to alleviate food waste and redirect these much-needed resources to groups in society who need it. Already, colleagues in the London office have contributed volunteer hours equivalent to a whopping over 2 million meals being delivered to those facing food insecurity.

Through employee-driven initiatives, Rabobank London has also raised over £211,000 for Duchenne UK, helping to fund vital research and provide support to families living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes muscle degeneration and affects over 300,000 children and young people worldwide.

Another initiative close to Maggie’s heart is our growing partnership with PAPYRUS, a UK charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. In May 2026, colleagues came together to support their vital, life-saving work by participating in the 247km challenge, where colleagues aimed to complete 247km through activities like walking, running, or cycling, symbolising PAPYRUS’ HOPELINE247 support service. Thanks to this collective effort, £13,000 was raised, boosted by Rabobank’s contribution of £247 for every colleague who completed the challenge. Building on this momentum, Maggie is now focused on deepening our relationship with PAPYRUS and continuing to support the essential services they provide to young people and their families.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved in our community outreach and volunteering efforts. I’m motivated by the impact we have made, and excited about the impact we can continue to make,” Maggie beams, “My journey reflects what’s possible when personal values, organisational support and a genuine commitment to people and the community come together.”

Rooted in the values her parents and experiences instilled in her, Maggie’s sense of meaning has always extended beyond her professional journey. Now, as a mother herself to a two-year-old son, these values feel more important than ever.

And she carries these same values to what she does at work too. Her job isn’t just a career; it’s her purpose. The purpose to foster a culture where people aren’t just part of an organisation, but a part of something tangibly meaningful – a place where they feel connected to a common aspiration to turn privilege into real action for those in the community who need it the most.

And that purpose, is the reason for the sparkle in her eyes.