A portrait of visionary leader and trailblazer Paul Jenkins

Paul’s time at Western created pathways for his career and left a meaningful mark on the rowing program.

By Therese Quigley

Portrait of Paul Jenkins by artist Phil Richards (left) and unveiling of Paul Jenkins' portrait (right)

Over the years there has been debate amongst scholars and sport enthusiasts as to whether sport builds character or reveals it. A case for both points of view can be made when it comes to Paul Jenkins, an extraordinary leader, visionary and trailblazer.

“The Western Rowing program relies on the strength of its incredible alumni to dream big,” said Dan Bechard, Western Mustangs men’s rowing coach. “Paul’s leadership, presence, and engagement with the program, especially during his time with the Western Board of Governors, is an inspiration to all of us involved in Western rowing. He is a true leader whom we are very grateful to have.”

Paul was born in St. Catharines, ON. He graduated from Western in 1971 with an honors arts degree in economics, and completed his master’s degree at the London School of Economics in 1972. Later that year, Paul joined the Bank of Canada. Gaining valuable experience through many roles, Paul became the Chief of the Research Department in 1983 while continuing his studies in economics at Princeton University. Paul was appointed Senior Deputy Governor and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank of Canada from 2003-10. He is a senior fellow at the C. D. Howe Institute and a distinguished fellow at the Centre for International Governance.

Paul was a member of the Western Board of Governors for seven years before becoming the Chair of the Board in 2018. In accepting the role of chair, Paul stated, “I am a strong believer in the importance of having a strategic vision for organizations…When you are in a boat, you all have to be rowing in the same direction.”

From student-athlete, to coach, and as an executive member of the team, Paul considers his Mustangs rowing experience instrumental. “My rowing career at Western began on the Sunday morning of orientation week in 1967,” he recalls. “Along with Rob MacKenzie, a friend and fellow rower, I went to Fanshawe Lake for the first time to see the old barn and to meet coach Doc Fitz-James. I had been rowing senior lightweight that summer, and Doc immediately put me into bow seat of the varsity eight and Rob as stroke. We joined a group of more mature, experienced individuals making up the rest of the boat. We trained hard out of the barn, rowing the heaviest boat I had ever been in.”

Against all odds, Western brought home the Ontario-Quebec Athletic Association (O-QAA) Championship, winning the Freshman, JV, and Varsity races.

What stands out decades later for Paul? “Not so much the victories,” he says. “What stands out far more is the uniqueness of what made up the Western rowing experience at the time, including Doc Fitz-James, the barn, the old equipment, the remarkable collection of individuals over my four years, and of course the fun. Over those four years I think we were helping to build a tradition that has become what is now Mustangs rowing.”

Paul brought his work ethic, athleticism, and intellectual gifts to Western, but it was a rewarding student-athlete experience that he attributes to creating pathways for life beyond graduation.

“Dedication and hard work have stayed with me through my career,” he says. “The camaraderie and teamwork have been attributes of rowing that have helped guide my thinking and my approach to life – at work, at home, and as part of my community.”

In addition to the lifelong friendships made at Western, Paul attributes his academic experience as a source of inspiration for his extraordinary professional career. “It was an exhilarating time to be on campus with a new world opening for me. Academically, the economics department was an exciting, inspiring place to be. It set the course for my career.”

Paul’s association with Western continued during his working life, giving seminars and recruiting on campus. He joined the Western Board of Governors when he retired from the Bank of Canada. “Education, as a public good, has always been important to me and as a board member I had an outlet to continue to contribute to that.”

Mustangs women’s rowing coach, Matt Waddell, commented on the meaningful contribution that Paul has played in raising the awareness of athletics on campus. “Paul has been a dedicated supporter of the team. He visits our practices whenever he is in London, and we really appreciate his perspective on the value that involvement in sport brings to students. He brought visibility to varsity sport and particularly rowing on campus.”

Paul has also been a champion for funding initiatives for varsity athletics, instrumental in working with former president Amit Chakma in establishing a matching gift opportunity for coaching endowments at Western.

Paul’s two years as board chair were gratifying, especially when he oversaw the Presidential Search Committee which brought President Alan Shepard to Western. “I have always believed that good governance and good outcomes go hand in hand. That belief certainly guided my thinking as chair,” he says.

It is tradition that the university commission a portrait of the outgoing Chair be housed in Somerville’s Great Hall. Portrait artist Phil Richards included the Fanshawe Rowing Centre and a Mustang oar in the background, representative of an important part of Paul’s life-long association with Western. The inclusion of the athletic experience is unique to the gallery of past Board Chairs.

When asked why he decided to include the rowing images in his portrait, Paul stated that the significance is simple.

“I believe that sport plays an important role as an enabler in helping to create a just and fair society, and it is my hope that this portrait will be a constant reminder of the importance of sport at Western.”

The Western Mustangs Athletic Alumni, the Mustang Old Oars Club, along with the coaches, student-athletes and athletic administration extend their collective gratitude to Paul for his mentorship and ongoing support for athletics at Western.