Q and A with Ana from Georgetown, Guyana, living in Westchester County, New York
“We always have the ability to pivot, change direction, and move forward.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I am a passionate, diligent, and determined mother with an infectious smile and personality. After practicing law for 20 years, I stepped out on faith and transitioned into grant writing—a path that perfectly aligns with my purpose of serving others.
My background as an attorney sharpened my research, writing, analytical, and communication skills, all of which prepared me to craft compelling grant proposals and strategic arguments for causes that matter.
I believe that each of us has a single purpose in life: to do God’s work through service. For me, grant writing is how I fulfill that calling.
What I love most about grant writing is how it brings together my unique talents and achievements to make a tangible impact while also providing a healthy work-life balance. I partner with nonprofits addressing homelessness, food insecurity, and social justice, offering a full range of services—including grant readiness assessments, research, proposal writing, and grant management—to help them secure the funding they need to fully support their missions.
Currently, I volunteer as the development officer for the United Community Center of Westchester, where I research funding opportunities, write proposals, and oversee fundraising activities. Through this work, I continue to honor my passion for service while empowering organizations to create lasting change in their communities.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: My passion for law began in the seventh grade, when I took a pre-law course that ended with a mock trial competition. Our class visited a law firm in Manhattan, and I was completely captivated by the atmosphere. I served as one of the defense attorneys in the mock trial, and I loved every moment of the experience.
From that point on, I was determined to become an attorney. I took every pre-law course available, joined the debate team, and pursued every opportunity that could move me closer to my dream.
My dedication paid off early—I graduated from high school a semester ahead of schedule after completing an internship during my senior year, which allowed me to begin college sooner. I went on to earn my bachelor’s degree in political science from SUNY Albany with a double minor in psychology and criminal justice, along with a concentration in sociology.
From there, I pursued law school at Brooklyn Law and then completed my LLM at NYU Law School. I sometimes joked that I was a professional student because I truly loved learning, researching, and discovering new information.
My legal career began at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and
Development, and later I went into private practice.
I started as a solo practitioner, then cofounded a firm with a law school colleague, Hercules & Irick, before returning to my own private practice. Over the span of 20 years, I focused primarily on real estate law, probate, trusts, and estates.
While I poured myself into my legal career, I also began to realize the personal sacrifices I was
making—particularly time with my family. That reality hit me right before the pandemic, when my
son asked me to chaperone a school trip.
I apologized and told him I was too busy, to which he replied, “Mom, you’ve never done anything with me.” That moment was a wake-up call.
Soon after, the pandemic arrived, giving me the space and opportunity to reset, re-evaluate my priorities, and choose a path that allowed me to spend more time with my children while still serving others.
And thus, my grant writing career was born. Grant writing became the bridge between my professional skills and my deeper purpose: to serve God by serving others. It allows me to use my legal training, research abilities, and writing expertise to help nonprofits addressing homelessness, food insecurity, and social justice secure the resources they need to make lasting change.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: If there’s one lesson I’d like others to take from my journey, it’s that life is a process. We set goals, pursue experiences, work diligently toward them, and then pause to evaluate and adjust.
Nothing is set in stone. We always have the ability to pivot, change direction, and move forward.
My own path—from law to grant writing—reminds me daily that it’s never too late to embrace a new purpose, and that growth often comes when we allow ourselves the flexibility to evolve.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: To me, feminism is the belief in and advocacy for the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. Society has historically—and continues to—prioritize the male perspective and place men in positions of power. That imbalance should be corrected in order to create a more just and equitable world for everyone.
Feminism is also about empowerment and voice. It means ensuring that women are not only given equal opportunities but are also encouraged to lead, to shape policy, and to define their own paths.
As a woman who has built a career first in law and now in grant writing, I’ve seen firsthand how vital it is to stand firm in spaces that were not always designed for us and to create new opportunities for the women coming after us.
Feminism, to me, is both a belief and a responsibility—to advocate, uplift, and help build a more inclusive future.
More about Ana: I was born in Georgetown, Guyana, and immigrated to the United States in the early 1980s when I was just eight years old. Moving to Brooklyn, New York, at such a young age shaped so much of who I am today. Brooklyn gave me resilience, grit, and drive—it’s where I learned to dream big and work hard for the life I wanted to create.
Today, I live in Westchester County, New York, where I’ve built both my family and my career. My journey from Guyana to Brooklyn to Westchester reflects not only where I’ve been but also the values I carry with me: perseverance, faith, and a deep commitment to serving others.
You can connect with me on:
● Facebook: facebook.com/ana.hercules.14
● Instagram: instagram.com/ana.a.hercules
● LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ana-hercules-24125359
● Website: anahercules.com
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