Ayodele Dalgety-Dean

Ayodele Dalgety-Dean is a dynamic entrepreneur and visionary leader with a track record of pioneering and managing high-impact ventures across diverse sectors. She is the Founder and Managing Director of Blossom Incorporated, a trailblazing non-governmental organization dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families affected by sexual violence and exploitation. Her unwavering commitment to social impact has driven Blossom Inc. to establish 8 Child Advocacy Centres across Guyana and lead advocacy initiatives that have contributed to the opening of specialized Sexual Offences Courts. Her mission is to eliminate sexual and gender-based violence, with a particular focus on protecting vulnerable children.

Ayo is also a Founding Member, Director, and current Chair of Sispro Inc., an indigenous, women-led Guyanese energy company that has boldly positioned itself at the forefront of the oil and gas sector. Under her leadership, Sispro Inc. successfully secured two offshore oil blocks (S3 and D2) in Guyana's historic first offshore auction, marking a significant milestone for local industry participation.

Beyond these endeavours, Ayo demonstrates her entrepreneurial acumen by co-managing a thriving real estate portfolio that offers residential and commercial rental spaces, strategically expanding opportunities within Guyana's growing property market. She also serves as a Director of Cross Energy (Guyana) Inc., an indigenous Oil and Gas Services company specialising in vessel chartering and FPSO manpower support, ensuring efficient operations within the country's burgeoning energy sector.

Ayo's career journey began as a Commercial Finance Analyst in the retail sector, where she excelled in generating management accounts, marketing reports, and conducting variance analysis to guide strategic business decisions. Her proficiency in predictive modelling and forecasting provided businesses with valuable insights into market trends, risks, and opportunities.

Driven by a passion for social change, she transitioned to the field of family therapy in the UK, where she managed programs supporting vulnerable children and families. Her leadership in recruiting, training, and supervising staff, along with designing comprehensive care plans, has had a lasting impact on the lives of service users, particularly young people transitioning from state care to independent living.

Currently, Ayo is a Marie Sklodowska-Curie PhD Fellow.  She has recently completed a PhD at Nottingham Trent University, where she conducted groundbreaking research on suicide in Guyana, addressing a critical national issue with both academic rigor and deep personal commitment.

Balancing her entrepreneurial ventures with her personal life, Ayo is a happy wife and mother of 3 beautiful children, two huge and energetic dogs, and one shy cat! Her relentless drive, business acumen, and dedication to societal improvement truly embody the spirit of an entrepreneur who is making an indelible mark on Guyana's landscape.