Anna Stahmer was born in Germany. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in education Germany. She completed her M. A. in African Studies at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After graduation she moved to Washington, D. C. She was hired by the Canadian Government to advise on space programs. Later she was hired by the U. S. Government to make education available to countries with lesser developed education systems - making education available via satellite. In 1986 she was hired by Ryerson International Development Centre as a Senior Associate. While there she was appointed by Ontario Premier David Peterson to become the vice-chairman of the Ontario Telephone Service Commission. She had previously been involved with the International Institute of Communications, the Canadian Communication Association, and the Society of Satellite Professionals. She was also a member of the advisory committee of the Olympus Satellite Utilization Program for Education and Training Activities. Stahmer left Ryerson in 1988, opening her own company Anna Stahmer and Associates.