I was born in Germany in 1985 to a white German mother and a Black American father — a dual heritage that shaped my worldview early on. My sense of belonging has always been rooted in connection and responsibility. I grew up navigating different cultural codes, always aware that identity is layered, fluid, and shaped by context.
In 2023, I made the choice to repatriate to The Gambia, connecting with the Mandinka branch of my family tree and grounding my work in a deeper sense of lineage. It was both a conscious move toward building a life and business aligned with my values.
My work is shaped by this transnational experience. I understand the friction and beauty of living between systems. I know what it means to lead while navigating bias, to build something new while honoring where you come from. That’s why I focus on leadership that is self-aware, relational, and deeply purposeful — whether in coaching, consulting, or cross-cultural programming.
My background in media management, communications, and digital learning allows me to move fluidly between sectors and roles. But my focus remains constant: helping people and institutions grow with clarity, integrity, and intention.
Whether I’m supporting a student on their first internship in West Africa, guiding a professional through career transition, or consulting with universities on ethical study abroad, my goal is the same — to create spaces where growth is rooted, not rushed. Where leadership starts on the inside. And where transformation lasts beyond the moment.
True leaders foster cultures of deep engagement, where individuals find fulfillment in contributing meaningfully rather than simply seeking personal gain.
If you’re ready to unlock your full potential as a leader and cultivate a transformative impact, I’d love to support your journey. Let’s explore how we can work together.
“Shaheen has a unique ability to both connect with people and connect people. Her openness to other ways of thinking, doing and being, coupled with patient listening and meaningful supportive commentary, as well as willingness to help, makes her a valuable person to have on any project desiring to bring people together and share knowledge and resources across spaces, languages and cultures.”
Tila Likunzi
– independent curator & researcher: Luanda, Angola
“Her structuring, analytical, determined and open approach and her adept background research of community-related topics in direct contact with the community, contributed significantly to the success of the project.”
Stefanie Lohaus
– Editor in Chief, Missy Magazine