I’m Shea Harty, and my work sits at the intersection of equity, community, and human potential. I’m originally from New York, raised by Jamaican parents, and for more than twenty years I’ve been building a life in the Netherlands. Along the way, I’ve learned just how powerful access can be, especially for people navigating systems that were never designed for them.

I founded the Empowerment Foundation after watching far too many highly skilled international professionals get shut out of opportunities. Not because they lacked talent, but because the labour market couldn’t see the value they carried. I wasn’t willing to accept that waste. So I built a space where people are recognised, supported, and connected to careers that reflect their abilities and ambition. Since then, our programmes have helped hundreds move from “overlooked” into meaningful work that fits who they are. And we’re still growing.

My work has always been rooted in access and advocacy. I partner with women, international professionals, and underrepresented groups to help them navigate barriers with confidence and clarity. I also work with organisations that want to attract and retain global talent in a way that’s actually inclusive, not performative.

I’ve also worked with women founders who needed someone honest and steady while navigating big decisions. I understand what leadership actually feels like behind the scenes, and that’s why this work fits right into my mission of making sure people have access, real support, and someone who gets their world.

I speak at conferences, corporate events, and community gatherings about inclusion, global mobility, women in tech, leadership, and the realities of navigating work as someone who doesn’t fit the mould. My talks blend strategy, real experience, a bit of humour, and honesty, because people learn best when they feel seen and spoken to, not spoken at.

At the core of everything I do is a simple belief:

People deserve access. Communities deserve support. And when we build systems that recognise the full humanity in all of us, everyone rises.