DC Governor selected to 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women list

Durham College (DC) Board of Governor Nneka Bowen joined other distinguished and remarkable individuals honoured during the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women gala ceremony at The Brighton Convention and Event Centre on June 16. One hundred women from across Canada were celebrated for their social, educational, political and professional accomplishments.

Her nomination for the award reads like a world-class resumé, highlighting her tireless commitment to education through a position on DC’s Board of Governors, among a number of other impressive achievements. Namely her leadership as vice-president, Commercial Banking at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) of Durham Region, helping local businesses grow; her contributions to the development of students through hiring and mentoring summer co-op students and creating RBC projects for UOIT capstone students; and her involvement with a number of other local organizations.

“My sons are my greatest inspirations,” Bowen said. “Having grown up with nothing but a dream for what I wanted my future to look like, I am driven every day and with every breath to give them the life I didn’t have growing up; to live as an example for them to follow and aspire to achieve and contribute even greater than my most ambitious dreams.”

Bowen’s motivation stems from those who came before her, like former federal Liberal cabinet minister Jean Augustine and the mentors and managers she had at RBC. She credits the support and encouragement she received from both of her teams at RBC and DC as the source of her leadership and mentorship philosophy, with inclusivity as a major cornerstone.

Asked about her secret to success, Bowen offered a piece of wisdom she gives her children: “Never feel entitled; work towards your definition of success, earn it, achieve it, do not apologize for it, and pay it forward.”

Even with all her tremendous achievements, Bowen sees the award as a call-to-action to do more to help others live up to their full potential; something she’s perfectly positioned for on DC’s Board, her team at RBC, and the surrounding communities.