“Never give up on yourself” – These were the words Angela Ashawasegai repeated to herself for years. They became her mantra, helping her find and build her inner strength.

Angela was removed from her mother at birth and was placed into the child welfare system. Throughout her tumultuous childhood, she had no safe place to call home. From surviving abuse and homelessness, Angela emerged as her hero, crediting her survival to education, spirituality, and art.

Today, Angela leverages her decades of training and expertise to help others empower themselves. She consults with organizations on workplace wellness, puts pen to paper on her forthcoming book, and coaches individuals on overcoming their trauma. 

Here is how she identified her inner strength and resilience in adversity. This episode is for you if: You want to reclaim your identity in the face of adversity. You’re looking for practical insights to navigate your own healing journey and empower others in their journey. You want to explore how creativity can be a tool for resilience.

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This episode is brought to you in collaboration with⁠⁠⁠⁠ Invest Ottawa⁠⁠⁠⁠, Ottawa’s lead economic development agency for knowledge-based industries, and with the critical support of BDC Capital’s Thrive Venture Fund, the title sponsor of International Women’s Month. We teamed up to produce this special series to celebrate women leading in Ottawa for⁠⁠⁠⁠ International Women’s Month⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In support of its Women Founders and Owners strategy, Invest Ottawa offers programs and services that enable and accelerate the growth and success of women entrepreneurs from every walk of life. Visit⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.investottawa.ca/women⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more!