Forward Ever, Backward Never: The Story of Olive Ozoemena

Olive Ozoemena’s story begins in Nigeria, where curiosity, creativity, and a quiet determination took root early in her life. She grew up in a culture where leadership within families traditionally fell to men. Yet her earliest role models defied that expectation. Olive never met her grandfather; instead, it was her grandmother who became the family’s anchor—leading with resilience, courage, and a steady, unspoken strength.

“There were early experiences that profoundly shaped my sense of purpose and direction,” Olive recalls. “Watching my grandmother and my mother step into the role of head of the household at a young age was one of the most formative influences in my life.”

These women taught her that leadership is not loud—it is lived. And that resilience, at its best, is gentle, steady, and deeply rooted in love.

Olive’s professional path was not linear, but it was always intentional. She studied Theatre Arts, began her career as a junior bank officer in Lagos, and later moved to North America to pursue master’s degrees in human resource development and business administration. With each step, she carried a growing desire for her work to create real, lasting impact.

Losing her father at a young age marked one of the first major turning points of her life. As the eldest child, she felt the weight of responsibility—an early introduction to leadership and sacrifice. She chose a shorter degree program to start earning sooner, a choice that taught her adaptability long before she had the language for it.

Her journey to Canada added new layers to her story. Building a life far from home, without the comfort of extended family and the collective support that defined her upbringing, was both a challenge and a revelation. She found herself navigating systems not always designed with her in mind—as a Black immigrant woman, she learned to advocate for herself in unfamiliar spaces.

“I come from a country where everyone is Black, so moving to North America and learning about Black stories from a different vantage point humbled me,” she shares.

Even thousands of miles from home, Olive carried with her the teachings of Igbo culture: that strength is communal, that agency and interdependence can coexist, and that communities thrive when everyone is seen, heard, and supported.

She intentionally built circles of support—especially among women who understood the complexities of carving out belonging in a new country.

“Growing up within Igbo culture taught me the power of collective support alongside individual agency,” she notes. “I often reflect on how deeply democratic Igbo traditions are—how communities rally around one another while still respecting autonomy, self‑determination, and entrepreneurial spirit.”

Today, as ISANS’ Director of Programs: Language and Labour Market, Olive leads with a simple but transformative belief: talent is universal, but opportunity is not.

For her, impact is measured not just in numbers but in lives—whether barriers are dismantled, whether pathways open, whether individuals feel empowered to belong, contribute, and thrive.

Her time in Nova Scotia has deepened her appreciation for the long, rich history of Black communities in the province. African Heritage Month, for her, is both celebration and responsibility.

“I know I stand on land shaped by generations of Black leadership whose struggles made my presence, growth, and integration here possible,” she says. “Honouring their legacy means learning about it, respecting it, and ensuring that my leadership strengthens the communities that have been here for generations.”

To young Black leaders and professionals—those who are still discovering their voices, or learning to trust their own stories—her message is both grounding and liberating:

“Know who you are before the world tells you who you should be. Your history, culture, and experiences are not deficits—they are your greatest sources of strength and insight. Learn the system, but do not lose yourself in it.”

Through every chapter of her life, one guiding phrase—passed down from her mother—has accompanied her, steadying her steps and sharpening her vision:

“Forward ever, backward never.”

It is more than a motto.
It is the story she lives, the story she leads with, and the story she continues to write—one rooted in resilience, kindness, courage, and an unwavering belief in what is possible.