During fall convocation ceremonies to be held October 19, Mount Saint Vincent University will recognize the achievements of several hundred students and bestow an honorary degree on Ann Divine.
About Ann Divine
Ann Divine is a transformative business leader, social justice champion, thought leader, and mentor, known for her deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and empowerment.
Before emigrating to Canada in 2004, Ann was an education social worker and then senior leader in government in London, UK. In 2014, she retired from government service as a leader with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, and began her journey into entrepreneurship.
Today, Ann provides strategic leadership in cultural and organizational change and social justice as the CEO and founder of Ashanti Leadership and Professional Development Services Inc., and co-founder of the Ashanti Leadership Academy. Her work has positively impacted individuals, private organizations, and public sector institutions locally, nationally and internationally.
Ann supports businesses, government, and organizations in creating inclusive environments where employees can bring their authentic selves to work and feel a true sense of belonging in their daily experience. Ann’s work is deeply rooted in her values of human rights and people management. She is recognized for her distinctive approach, which integrates adult education principles, and for her expertise in leadership development, change management, board governance, diversity and inclusion, women in leadership, unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, neurodiversity, trauma-informed practice, and harassment in the workplace.
Ann’s leadership, service and impact have been recognized through numerous awards. She was named one of the Top Five Influential Immigrant Women in Halifax in 2015, recognized as a leading Canadian woman in business by then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2020 on the occasion of International Women’s Day, and honoured in 2022 by Atlantic Business Magazine as one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Atlantic Canada. In 2023, Ann was recognized by Rotary International with the highest distinction of Paul Harris Fellow. In 2022, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, and most recently, she was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
A strong advocate for women’s leadership, Ann founded the former Black and Immigrant Women’s Network, which evolved into the Women of Colour in Business and Leadership. Through this work, she has elevated the voices of women of colour, helping them to progress professionally while driving meaningful change in her community and across Canada. She is past Chair and a current member of the Board of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and has also served on the board of United Way Centraide Canada, Halifax Northwest Rotary, and the Team Work Cooperative, among others. She has also been a visiting lecturer at MSVU and Dalhousie University.
Her education includes graduate studies at the University of Cambridge Institute of Sustainable Leadership. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management, a BA in Sociology with Honours, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work. Ann also earned the Instructional Skills Workshop Certificate, the Federation of Coaching Certificate, and the Certificate in International Standards for Diversity and Inclusion Service Management. These form part of her extensive qualifications.
Beyond her professional commitments, Ann is a devoted wife and mother of three adult children. She cherishes time with her nine grandchildren, one of whom she delivered herself, and divides her family time between Canada and the UK.
Convocation Ceremony Details
Ann Divine will be honoured during the convocation ceremony taking place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 19, 2025. Convocation ceremonies will be held in the Seton Academic Centre Auditorium and will be livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook.
About the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa
MSVU recognizes distinguished individuals whose accomplishments are consistent with the mission of the university by granting the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) – an honour which can only be bestowed by the University Chancellor at the request of Senate. The university honours worthy recipients who have contributed to the betterment of society and humanity in any field, but in particular, improvement of the status of women, contribution to higher education, humanitarian and social service, involvement with and fostering of culture and the arts, or leadership in a field of endeavour. The convocation at which the degree is awarded is greatly enriched by the presence of honorary graduands who share the joy of the occasion.