IVY HANLEY

A Proven Leader. A Voice for Community.

A Vision for Renewal.

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Ivy Hanley is a barrier-breaking entrepreneur, tradeswoman, and community advocate based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Her career began beneath the surface—working as a commercial diver in Ontario, where she joined teams in complex infrastructure projects at nuclear facilities and along the St. Lawrence Seaway. She later transitioned to offshore work, becoming a Life Support Technician in the demanding, male-dominated world of Saturation Diving.

But some of Ivy’s greatest tests happened onshore. At one point in her life, she was a single mother to two young children, navigating uncertainty and hardship while working to build a better future. It was a humbling chapter—one that deepened her empathy, sharpened her resolve, and fuels her commitment to lifting others up.

In 2020, After challenges that follow divorce, Ivy co-founded Urban Market 1919, transforming a declining downtown property into a thriving marketplace for local producers. What began with 70 vendors has grown to more than 350, driving over $3 million in combined annual revenue and creating a space where community, commerce, and growth intersect. 

Ivy also spearheaded the revitalisation of the historic Brookfield Dairy property, turning it into a multi-use space that now includes a YMCA daycare, local businesses, and recreational facilities—all designed with accessibility, affordability, and local impact in mind.

Her story is one of reinvention, resilience, and results. Ivy Hanley knows what it means to fight for your future, and she’s ready to bring that same spirit to public service—putting people first and building strong, sustainable communities from the ground up.