Connecting for Peace. Member Spotlight: Dr. Durdana Islam
During our interview, a painting hung behind Dr. Durdana Islam. I came to learn that she herself had painted it–“15 tulips for 15 people who have helped shape my life in ways I didn’t think possible.” It is this deep sense of connection which drives her work in business sustainability, community engagement, and mentorship.
Born in Bangladesh, Durdana was raised to value close relationships. She grew up in a home with parents and grandparents; relatives and friends were always coming and going, creating a dynamic homebase where storytelling was an important part of everyday life.
“Stories have a lot of power.”
Peacebuilding runs deep in Durdana’s family. Durdana’s great-grandfather was Shamsuddin Ahmed, a prominent politician who fought to end British colonial rule in the Indian subcontinent. Durdana’s grandmother Khaleda Sattar recounted memories of seeing Mahatma Gandhi speaking with her father at their house.
Durdana was “blessed to be raised by strong matriarchs.” Her mother Dr. Anjuman Ara Islam is a physician, initially inspiring Durdana to follow in her footsteps. However, Durdana decided to study computer science like her aunt Rehana Rahman. Durdana earned an MBA from Royal Roads University, MA in Environmental Management and Development from the Australian National University, and PhD in Natural Resources and Environmental Management from the University of Manitoba. Durdana’s curiosity has made her a lifelong learner, taking her to several different continents along the way.
“Working with Indigenous Elders is a big blessing.”
Durdana settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where she works as a Project Director and Climate Planner at Narratives, Inc. A big part of her role at Narratives is working with the indigenous communities in Canada to build climate resilience. As an environmental consultant, Durdana conducts research and analysis to integrate climate adaptation strategies with traditional indigenous knowledge.
Durdana cherishes the opportunity to hear “Elders share their knowledge about the climate and how they’ve been stewards of the land and water for many years.” This is why Durdana especially appreciated the recent MBBI Lima Peace Summit, for its involvement of Elders. She also loved the quality of speakers and real-life simulations.
“Connecting the dots”
Durdana’s greatest strength lies in her connective power. She is passionate about expanding opportunities for minority groups, and this means communicating with a wide array of people in her community.
It is thus only natural that politics entered Durdana’s life. While attending a convention for the Manitoba New Democratic Party (NDP) in 2016, she noticed that there was a significant lack of diversity. Durdana later met Wab Kinew–the first provincial premier of First Nations descent in Canada–while he was canvassing door-to-door. They ended up talking, and Wab encouraged Durdana to run for office. She subsequently came second in the race for representative of the 2019 Seine River Electoral Division–an impressive finish!
Durdana is currently a Vice President of Manitoba NDP, Co-Chair of the Manitoba NDP sustainability committee and former Chairperson of the NDP Status of Women, Gender Equity and Gender Diversity committee. She received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025 for her significant contribution to Canada, and she was an Empower Women Award nominee in 2022. Durdana also proudly serves on the Boards of the Islamic Social Services Association and non-profit Kahanee.
“I have become a safe space for many.”
Before finding her way to Narratives, Durdana taught at Universities in both Bangladesh and Canada. She loved it–especially the opportunity to help young people in their career path. Today, Durdana still incorporates mentorship into her life. When young professionals connect with her on LinkedIn, she often offers virtual sessions where she gives advice and facilitates networking.
Durdana is passionate about amplifying the voices of people who have experienced racism both past and present. She herself has encountered bigotry and wishes to alter the narrative for the next generation.
At the end of our interview, I asked Durdana what advice she would give to young people–especially women and POC–entering the workforce. What followed was a beautiful talk which encapsulates what so many appreciate about Durdana: her capacity for self-advocacy and the ability to communicate across any platform or perceived barrier.
“If something doesn’t feel right, then it’s not right. You don’t have to force yourself to make things comfortable for other people. Especially women, we suffer from imposter syndrome. You are enough. You need to take up space and use your voice to make change happen. And your lived experiences matter. Choose a cause that you want to fight for and find mentors who can guide you so you’re not doing it alone–so you have someone to show you the path. Find your own clan. And please, take good care of yourself.”
Article by Elsie Aleck, MBBI Writer