As a senior at Jenks High School, Antwane Owens (BSBA ’96, Accounting and Finance) knew he wanted to attend The University of Tulsa, but he also knew it would be a financial stretch for his family. Outstanding grades, a strong ACT score, and encouragement from a top TU administrator led to scholarships from the National Association of Black Accountants and Williams Companies, and Antwane made the most of these opportunities.
Owens excelled in his classes at TU and interned at Williams Companies, Samson Resources, and Deloitte and Touche LLP. He received offers from four of the Big Five accounting firms and began his career at Deloitte, where he became the company’s first African American professional employee in Oklahoma to work as an auditor, and he quickly rose to the rank of senior auditor.
He earned an MBA degree from The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth (the youngest in his class) and accepted senior positions at three other companies before founding his own management strategy consulting firm, Excellence Through Insight, Inc. in Dallas, Texas.
In 2016, Owens accepted a senior finance position at Amazon and later joined the executive team of Chewy.
Antwane often reflects on the way diversity and inclusion have factored into his life and is grateful for the welcoming culture that he says existed at TU in the mid-90s, which helped facilitate his integration into the fabric of the university, supporting his success. He has many wonderful memories of his time at TU, including his involvement in campus life as a member of Sigma Nu fraternity, and the opportunity to serve in leadership roles in the Student Association and the National Association of Black Accountants.
As an alumnus, Owens has given freely of his time and talent by serving on the TU Board of Trustees (2017-2023) and on the Executive Advisory Board of the Collins College of Business (2012-present). He and his wife, Katrina, also have financially supported TU with gifts to fortify the Collins College of Business and scholarships.
Through the Pioneer Life Insurance Program, Antwane has created two scholarship endowment funds that are named after his parents, whose love, encouragement, and guidance inspired him to pursue his educational and career goals. The Minnette Wilkes Endowment for Underrepresented Minority Students in the Collins College of Business and The William Owens Endowed Scholarship for Underrepresented Minority Students in the Collins College of Business are designed to encourage diversity and inclusion at TU, two important goals of the University’s strategic plan.
The University of Tulsa is grateful to have the support and leadership of this accomplished alumnus, who is deeply committed to working toward a diverse and inclusive campus community.
