Ann Divine

Ann Divine is the founder and CEO of Ashanti Leadership and Professional Development Services, a Halifax company that empowers Black and immigrant women to fulfill their economic and business goals. Born in Guyana, Divine grew up in England, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at the University of East London, a post-graduate diploma in Social Work, and a Master’s in Human Resource Management from Middlesex University, and worked as a social worker and probation officer before moving to Canada in 2004. Divine served with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission from 2007 to 2014, when she left to devote herself to Ashanti. A tireless and outspoken advocate for women, Divine is constantly innovating and adapting her services to meet the needs of her clients. She received unprecedented support for her work when Atlantic Business Magazine took the bold step of putting her on the January 2017 cover of their first-ever issue devoted to women. Divine has received many prestigious awards and honours, including being one of My Halifax Experience’s Top Five Immigrant Women Influencers in 2018.

“My success was not earned entirely by myself; others have contributed too. They mentored and supported me along the way; family, church family, friends and my community. I want to do the same and make a difference in the lives of highly educated and intelligent immigrant women in my community who have so much to offer, but are not recognized for who they really are. If I can help one to achieve their life ambition, then my living shall not be in vain.”