Rob Davis inspires Rotman Commerce’s centenary Class of 2024 with Convocation address
As we begin 2025, we’re delighted to share inspiring words of wisdom from one of Rotman Commerce’s most distinguished alumni and committed supporter of the program, Rob Davis (BCom ’89). Last June, during our centenary Convocation ceremonies, Davis delivered a powerful address to the Class of 2024, sharing insights through his framework of the “3 Cs”: courage, curiosity, and collaboration. His message of inclusive leadership and continuous growth resonates deeply as our community embarks on a new year of opportunities and challenges.
Rob Davis (BCom ‘89) has emerged as a transformative figure on Bay Street, blending over three decades of tax and finance expertise with an admirable dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion.
As a Tax Partner with KPMG in Canada, Davis has redefined leadership in the industry, setting new standards for inclusive excellence and guiding future leaders toward a vision of equity, growth and impactful change.
This past June, as we celebrated the 100th anniversary of our first graduating class, Davis was invited to deliver the Convocation address to Rotman Commerce’s Class of 2024. In his speech, he shared insights through the lens of the “3 Cs”: courage, curiosity and collaboration.
A vision for the future: Davis’s message of courage, curiosity and collaboration
Rob Davis’s address to the Rotman Commerce Class of 2024 offered a powerful call to action for future leaders – act with integrity, pursue growth and create meaningful change. Davis’s message was a testament to his own journey and a beacon for the next generation.
Davis began by urging the graduates to embrace resilience and bravery in their careers. “Amplify your strengths but have the courage to see and work on your weaknesses,” he advised. Recognizing that “courage and humility go hand-in-hand,” he highlighted that it is essential to admit when you do not have all the answers.
He also emphasized the importance of being lifelong learners. “Choosing to attend Rotman Commerce means you have a thirst to learn, and that is not a mindset that should end today. This is the start for you,” he said. He encouraged students to “ask questions and seek out the views of others,” stressing that curiosity is crucial for deepening one’s understanding and finding solutions to the pressing challenges of our world.
Davis also spoke about the central role of collaboration in effective leadership. “True leaders are not those given authority or power. They are those who listen and engage to build something better,” he explained. He emphasized that “for collaboration to be successful, individuals must first be willing to share their diverse perspectives and listen to the diverse perspectives of others.” He urged the graduates to create environments where team members feel they can “bring new ideas or challenge the status quo without fear of retribution,” thereby creating meaningful and impactful change.
The speech concluded with a reflection on life’s true rewards. “Success and happiness are not determined solely by your career or financial achievements,” Davis shared. “They come from within, from the relationships you build, the passions you pursue and the impact you make on the world around you.” He urged the graduates to embrace a mindset of continuous growth and exploration, encouraging them to differentiate themselves and step out of their comfort zones.1
From immigrant roots to inspiring role model on Bay Street
Davis’s story is a testament to perseverance, shaped by his early experiences as an immigrant to Canada. His parents laid the groundwork for his resilience and “never-give-up” attitude. This journey came full circle during his Convocation address, where his parents were present to witness the fruition of their support.
Reflecting on this poignant moment, Davis shared, “I owe so much of who I am to the support and sacrifices of my parents.” Their presence at this milestone exemplified the powerful impact of their dedication, symbolizing how their encouragement and guidance enabled Davis’s success and inspired him to become a beacon of hope for other students facing similar challenges.
Davis’s time at Rotman Commerce instilled a lifelong commitment to learning, leading him to achieve a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation with a specialization in taxation. This foundation set the stage for a successful career on Bay Street. Over 28 years at KPMG, Davis has specialized in international structuring, intellectual property migration and transfer pricing for multinational enterprises. He has also made significant contributions to the CPA profession, which was recognized in 2021 with Davis receiving his FCPA. The distinction of Fellow (FCPA) formally recognizes CPAs who have rendered exceptional service to the profession and in their communities. Becoming an FCPA is the highest honour a CPA can receive. His dedication to giving back to young professionals underscores the value of continuous learning and mentorship, principles that Davis upholds through his leadership roles, and which resonate with Rotman Commerce’s commitment to fostering connections with industry leaders and a supportive alumni network.2
As KPMG’s Chief Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Officer, Davis has advanced inclusion and equity both within the firm and throughout the business community serving as Co-Chair of the firm’s Executive Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Council, an LGBTQ+ supporter and Executive Sponsor of the firm’s Black Professionals Network. His dedication earned him the 2020 William B. Thomas Award for exemplifying KPMG’s values and creating a more inclusive workplace.3
Davis’s impact in championing diversity and equity
Davis has also made invaluable contributions to advancing equity in academia, embodying Rotman Commerce’s commitment to student success. Recognizing the lack of diverse role models during his ascent at KPMG, he took proactive steps to build a pipeline of Black talent and to advocate for greater diversity. In December 2023, Davis established the Robert Davis Black Excellence Award at the University of Toronto to provide support to students with financial need. Previously, he had established the Robert Davis and Joseph Chen Access and Diversity Bursary with his life partner, aimed at assisting underrepresented students in envisioning opportunities on Bay Street.4
Davis’s initiatives aim to inspire and motivate youth to reach their full potential. He believes that “if underrepresented groups don’t see people that look like them in leadership, they just don’t believe in it.” This belief fuels his commitment to meeting with scholarship recipients, offering them advice and insights to help them succeed because he knows that representation matters and that true progress in equity requires both financial support and personal engagement.5
By Nishtha Rampuria | January 6, 2025
References
1. Rob Davis’s Convocation address to the Rotman Commerce Class of 2024
2. Profile on Rob Davis. KPMG Canada
3. Profile on Rob Davis. Hart House
4. “Robert Davis hopes the new Black Excellence Award will help level the playing field”. Michael McKinnon, University of Toronto Faculty of Arts & Science News. March 7, 2024.
5. “Robert Davis opens the door to Bay Street for underrepresented groups”. Peter Boisseau, University of Toronto Alumni. October 7, 2021.
