On any given day, it is hard to catch up with Dr Stacie Bowie. One would think that as the person who oversees finance, she would likely be found behind a desk, but nothing could be further from the truth. From meetings to site visits and sometimes at community and university events, Dr. Bowie, who serves as executive vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA), plays a critical role in the university’s long-term financial stability, but is also active across PBA and the community.
Beyond her titles, she is a woman who has fought hard for the life she lives today, overcoming many silent battles along the way. Dr. Bowie lived with her father while attending high school and taking evening classes in accounting at a community college. It was a path that aligned well with her penchant for solving math problems.
At 18, her life changed drastically, when her father, just 39, died suddenly of a heart attack. She was left to take on the immediate financial responsibilities of being self-sufficient, including a house and car loans. Forced into adulthood, she worked during the day while earning her degree at night.
“You can do anything you want if you work hard,” her father often told her.
Despite the hardships, Dr. Bowie became the first in her family to attend and graduate from college. She earned a degree in business and management from the University of Maryland, followed by a master’s in business administration and management. In 2018, she completed a Ph.D. in business administration from Rollins College.
Mentors Who Made a Difference
While her father was a key influence in her success, Dr. Bowie credits several mentors for shaping her career. One manager allowed her to assist with board materials and Wall Street earnings calls, mentoring her for three years.
Throughout her career, there were four women in particular who played instrumental roles in Dr. Bowie’s professional journey.
“They were so professional and commanded a room,” she said of two women who worked as HR officers at a previous job.
The third mentor, who supervised her first accounting role, taught her the importance of journal entries and reconciliations. The fourth helped her appreciate the story financial statements tell.
“I was inspired by their work ethic and presence at a time when women did not hold many high-level leadership roles in government,” Dr. Bowie said. Because of them, Dr. Bowie could visualize herself as a strong leader.
After 10 years in higher education, Dr. Bowie transitioned into the private sector as a municipal advisor, assisting universities with refinancing and reissuing bonds to fund campus development.
“I quickly realized that not everyone was willing to do the work to save their students millions of dollars because it was hard,” she said.
A Calling, Not Just a Job
Then, God opened an unexpected door, guiding her back into higher education in February 2022, allowing her to integrate her faith with her work at PBA.
“I am free to pray, worship and express my love for Jesus while doing a job I love,” Dr. Bowie said.
She views leading at PBA not as work, but as a privilege, regularly encouraging her team to find purpose and joy in their roles.
“Sharing this opportunity with my team and working alongside such capable and wonderful people every day, all with the same goal, is a dream come true.”
Guided by her father’s advice, Dr. Bowie hopes to pass on the same encouragement to students—urging them to work hard, follow their passions and trust in God’s plan.
“Use your strengths and what you enjoy to make work a calling, not just a job,” she said.
To learn more about PBA, visit www.pba.edu.
