Angela Simmonds

About Angela

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Angela is the firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Lead. In her role, she works closely with our DEI Working Group and People & Culture team, assessing progress on our current Action Plan and helping the firm take steps in building a more equitable organization.

In addition to her role with McInnes Cooper, Angela provides DEI consulting services. Her 20-year career extends over the various fields of socio-economic development, education, entrepreneurship, policy and cultural competency. Previously, she was a member and deputy speaker of the Nova Scotia legislative assembly.

Angela is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion; she truly believes that championing DEI is the best way to make an impact and remove barriers so everyone can succeed and thrive. As such, she has contributed to many initiatives that have improved DEI in Nova Scotia and Canada. Angela was instrumental in the Nova Scotia government’s Land Titles Initiative, providing recommendations to the United Nations that were implemented; she was later appointed Executive Director for the initiative. She was also part of the working group for Nova Scotia’s anti-racism bill, the first of its kind in Canada. Committed to DEI education, Angela has authored articles that have been referenced in judicial decisions and was co-creator for trauma informed lawyer training for the Department of Justice in BC.

Angela is a dedicated wife, mother and “Little Nanny” to her grandkids. When off the clock, she treasures family time, and can often be found jogging or unwinding with an inspiring book.