(En français)

Deland Kamanga is an accomplished senior leader with a deep passion for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, industry, and society. As Head of Global Markets at BMO Capital Markets, he leads by example, not only encouraging senior leaders to become inclusion and equity advocates but challenging every employee to live these same values. Deland is an active member of BMO’s Leadership Council for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Co-Chair of the BMO Capital Markets Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Steering Committee. With his guidance, BMO Capital Markets has enhanced programs that create a more diverse workplace and foster a more inclusive culture, including returnships, parental leaves, and hiring procedures that directly impact women. He has championed change that has resulted in an increased presence of women at all levels in Global Markets and a greater number of women prepared to advance to senior roles across the firm. Deland’s contributions extend into the community—he holds board seats at the Jackie Robinson Foundation and Women in Capital Markets and sits on the board of trustees for SickKids Hospital in Toronto.

How He Made Change

As an active sponsor and participant in numerous employee resource groups dedicated to diversity and inclusion, Deland is an inspirational leader who motivates others toward success. He leads by example, hosting and participating in countless DEI events with leaders and employees across the bank, championing education and awareness and facilitating open conversations on barriers to inclusion.

In 2020, Deland launched the Global Markets Diversity Task Force, which led to the development and implementation of the Experienced Hire Strategy aimed at increasing the number of diverse candidates at every stage of the hiring process from interview to selection, while also creating transparency and accountability with hiring managers. Deland also implemented a Parental Bill of Rights and a Parental Leave Support Program to support and improve the experience of employees on parental leave.

Deland is involved in many DEI initiatives across BMO and in the community, including at the Jackie Robinson Foundation, an organization committed to equal opportunity and to addressing the achievement gap in higher education. He is Executive Sponsor of BMO’s Return to Bay Street program, which supports women returning to the workforce after an extended absence, co-Chair of BMO’s Black and Latino Advisory Council (BLAC), and Executive Sponsor of the enterprise resource group Black Professionals Network Canada.

Inclusive Leadership

Deland is keenly aware of the responsibility inherent in being a Black man of influence within the bank and is committed to removing barriers for those who follow him. As a change agent, he takes ownership of his convictions, leveraging his presence in executive meetings to raise important issues and promote initiatives that drive change. In 2020 he addressed 1,000+ attendees at an Allyship and Racial Injustice panel, where he spoke on his personal experiences with allyship and why it is so important. Known as both a courageous and humble leader, Deland sets the example for others, inspiring colleagues to reflect on and acknowledge the opportunities before them to help others who are less advantaged.

About Deland Kamanga

Deland Kamanga oversees all aspects of BMO Global Markets, which provides markets-based solutions to corporate, institutional, and government entities. Under his leadership, the Global Markets team delivers leading market insights, risk management, best-in-class execution services, and access to major markets across asset classes including debt, foreign exchange, interest rate, credit, equity, securitization, and commodities. Prior to his current role, Mr. Kamanga was Head, Fixed Income, Currencies & Commodities where he oversaw origination, sales, and trading of cash and derivatives products.

In addition to his leadership in DEI, Deland is a member of various leadership committees, including the BMO Capital Markets Executive Leadership Committee and Performance Management Committee. He also sits on the boards of directors for BMO Investorline, BMO Nesbitt Burns Holdings Corporation, BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., and BMO Capital Markets Corp. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of Western Ontario and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).