Colleen James, a Professor at Conestoga College School of Business and the CEO and Principal Consultant at Divonify has been recognized as one of the top 100 Black Women to Watch in 2020 by the Canadian International Black Women’s Event (CIBWE).
The award recognizes Black women across Canada who are responsible for strengthening their communities and society in Canada and beyond. James was honoured in a virtual event held on October 17, 2020.
“It is an honour and extremely humbling to be recognized on a national level. I have to thank my parents who were determined to raise their children with the mindset that being Black was something to be celebrated and that we belong in all spaces, especially the ones that have historically excluded us,” James said.
James is a current member of the Mayor’s Task Force for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and was also a moderator at the Region of Waterloo’s Anti-Racism Town Hall. Previously, she served as the President of the board for Focus for Ethnic Women. Through the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region, James and her husband created the “James Scholarship” for students of Caribbean heritage pursuing graduate studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Throughout her professional career, she worked for Manulife Financial, The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), the City of Waterloo and the Region of Waterloo.
In March 2020, James was awarded the Leading Women Leading Girls – Building Communities recognition program.
Born and raised in Kitchener, James’ parents immigrated to Canada from Antigua and St. Kitts in the 1970s. James is a graduate of the University of Toronto, Centennial College and Leadership Waterloo Region. She resides in Kitchener with her husband and daughter.
