Meet Shea Harty: a dynamic force on a mission to guide individuals through the maze of professional life.
Hailing from the Big Apple but currently calling the Netherlands home, Shea’s journey as a first-generation American of Jamaican heritage and an expat in Europe fuels her dedication to uplifting underrepresented communities and championing workplace equality as the Executive Director of the Empowerment Foundation.
With over 20 years of expertise spanning human resources, intercultural communication, digital innovation, and engagement, Shea advises global corporations to foster inclusive environments and implement sustainable employability initiatives. She specializes in catalyzing growth and reshaping mindsets for success.
In this exclusive interview with Expat Life, Shea shares her passion for supporting immigrants in Europe, empowering professionals to unlock potential, and reflects on her remarkable journey blazing trails across diverse career landscapes.
1. Shea, you are the founder of the Empowerment Foundation. Tell us a bit about your journey and how it led to where you are now in your career. What inspired you to found the Empowerment Foundation?
Shea discusses her diverse background in HR, the moment that inspired the foundation focused on career support, and how personal connections fueled the mission.
2. What specific challenges did you identify that unemployed immigrants in the Netherlands were facing?
Shea highlights challenges beyond language—cultural understanding, bias, and internal doubts affecting immigrant employment.
3. How has your upbringing influenced your passion for empowering immigrants and fostering diversity?
Growing up in a multicultural environment gave Shea empathy and insight into navigating dual cultural contexts and experiences.
4. Why did you expand the foundation’s focus to Women in STEM and female founders?
Shea explains the initiative to amplify visibility and support women in STEM facing hurdles like harassment and isolation.
5. What are some of the biggest hurdles women in STEM leadership positions face today?
Shea names issues like mandate legitimacy, allies, resilience, and creating advancement pathways.
6. Lessons from your early tech career and large scale projects?
Preparedness, collaboration over control, and maintaining positivity were key takeaways.
7. What common challenges do female entrepreneurs face, and how do you help?
Mindset and self-belief are foundational; Shea supports clients to build confidence and overcome limiting beliefs.
8. How do you maintain balance among commitments?
Shea shares strategies including scheduling personal time, leveraging support networks, and embracing rest.
9. Advice to your younger self or aspiring female entrepreneurs?
Embrace learning from every experience, avoid perfectionism, and enjoy the journey.
10. Recommended resources for women gaining foothold in tech?
Building or joining supportive communities for continual learning and networking.
11. How did experiencing 9/11 influence your outlook?
A profound moment of resilience and perspective that prepared Shea for future uncertainties.
12. Role models inspiring you?
Women showing courage to lead and foster change, both publicly and personally.
13. What ties your multifaceted work together?
A commitment to diverse perspectives and comprehensive support spanning strategy and individual care.
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