Vanessa Harris
President and Founder,
Strategy for Access Foundation
Vanessa Harris is a licensed engineer and artist with multiple disabilities. Amid a 46-year engineering career, winning multiple awards in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, Vanessa took a documentary class at Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago, and it changed the trajectory of her life—leading her to establish Strategy for Access, which has since produced more than 100 videos celebrating and informing Chicago’s vast disability community.
A problem-solver by profession and experience, Vanessa now focuses on solving issues as diverse as buying an accessible car as a wheelchair user. She covers each subject clearly with her unique sense of humor, helping to empower those with disabilities and giving them a platform to share their experiences, wisdom, and perspectives.
At Strategy for Access, Vanessa is opening doors to the next generation of storytellers and filmmakers. Interns learn the technical and creative sides of documentary filmmaking and get hands-on experience in storytelling, cinematography, sound design, editing, and more. They also get an education in disability culture, to ensure that they are creating projects that are respectful and empowering to disabled people. Vanessa is also committed to promoting inclusion and equity through her work. She has cultivated a diverse set of partners to collaborate with to ensure her stories are shared with as wide an audience as possible. Crain’s Chicago Business has recognized Vanessa as Notable Black Leader and Executive.