2025 Shortlisted Nominee
Entrepreneur of Excellence Award
Shelley, known as “The Purple Lady,” is a disabled entrepreneur, accessibility advocate, and community leader dedicated to inclusion and empowerment. After spending 12 years confined to bed and another decade as a wheelchair user, Shelley transformed her lived experience into impactful action. She founded JustUs, a not-for-profit creating safe, inclusive social spaces for adults with disabilities, their carers, and families, growing from a local network into a vital resource. Shelley also founded Access Avenue, promoting accessibility as a core value across sectors, and campaigns for accessible travel through initiatives like the Travel Ease app. As Northern Ireland’s first Purple Tuesday Ambassador and advisor to the Accessible Hospitality Alliance, she drives national and international progress on disability access. Graduating with First Class Honours in international business using voice assistive technology, Shelley continues to break barriers and inspire change through innovation.