Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 Honoree
2026
Founder & Executive Director
The PREP Academy
Ashley Hill is an African Nova Scotian leader and Founder & Executive Director of The PREP Academy, a registered charity that inspires and prepares African Nova Scotian youth for college, university, apprenticeship, and meaningful careers through culturally responsive, relationship-based programming. Over the past 5 years, Ashley has grown PREP to support 475 youth annually while building partnerships across education, government, industry, and community to expand equitable access to postsecondary education.
Passionate about creating lasting systems of opportunity, she is known for building organizations, developing people, and turning bold ideas into sustainable impact. Ashley is a CBC Black Changemaker and YMCA Peace Medal recipient. Beyond PREP, she mentors nonprofit leaders and serves on the boards of the Boys & Girls Club of Preston, the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth, and Dalhousie University’s Pathways Engineering Advisory Council.
Please note: Company names and biographical information here may reflect the role and activity held at the time of receiving the award.
