Kwantlen Polytechnic University Dean of Business Stephanie Howes has won the Corporate Leadership Award at the Surrey Board of Trade Women in Business Awards.
“Women supporting women is uplifting for all people in our society. Thank you to the SBOT Women in Business team, it is an honour to be recognized through this award. Thank you for your focus on highlighting the hard work, dedication and passion of all women of Surrey,” says Howes.
The awards were held virtually on October 23. The awards recognize the hard work of Surrey’s businesswomen and their contribution to the city.
Howes began at KPU in 1989 as a student in the Office Administration program. She worked in different law and business offices before returning to school in 1995 as a mature student. After completing one year in the women’s studies program, Howes entered the nursing program at KPU in 1996.
“I am a proud alumna from the first graduating class of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2000 and officially began working as a Registered Nurse June 2000.”
She began working at the KPU Wellness Centre in 2003 and teaching part-time in the BSN program in 2004. Howes continued to work as a public health nurse part-time and completed her master’s in 2007. After working as a faculty member in the School of Health and working as an Associate Dean at BCIT, she returned to KPU in 2017 as an interim associate dean in the School of Business. Howes became the Dean of the School of Business in 2019.
But this hasn’t been smooth sailing for her. Howes was diagnosed with malignant ovarian cancer in 2012.
“It was this profound personal experience that inspired my courage to dive into an administrative role. It was a turning point for me. My work as a woman, educator, nurse, leader, cancer survivor and wife have all contributed to my path within my career,” she says.
Howes adds that she wouldn’t be where she is in her career if it wasn’t for the people who have supported her along her journey.
“I am passionate about leadership from a “shared power” approach to support and serve those I work with. We succeed and reach our goals collectively. So, my being here today is because of the amazing women and men who have supported me along the way.”
“We are proud of Stephanie for all her achievements and she is deserving of this award. She started at KPU as a student and has continued to work with us. I continue to be impressed by her dedication to our students, faculty in the School of Business, and her commitment to community engagement. Congratulations to her on this well-deserved award,” says Dr. Sandy Vanderburgh, provost and vice-president academic.