Gennifer Herley: Leading the Charge for Transgender Empowerment in Business

Gennifer Herley has recently drawn national attention as one of City & State’s 2025 Pride Trailblazers, recognized for her transformative work supporting transgender and nonbinary individuals in New York and beyond. As founder and executive director of TransNewYork, Herley’s story is emblematic of how queer leadership is changing the landscape for marginalized identities in business, workplace inclusion, and community support.

Herley established TransNewYork in 2018 during her own gender transition, driven by lived experience and a vision for a more inclusive future. Leveraging her background as a transformational life coach, she recognized a pressing need for resources that would empower transgender and nonbinary people and their families, both professionally and personally.

TransNewYork began as a grassroots initiative and quickly grew into a multi-faceted nonprofit offering counseling, networking opportunities, and workplace readiness programs. Herley’s leadership centers on affirming the dignity, resilience, and potential of transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals, actively dismantling workplace barriers and advocating for systemic change.

A cornerstone of TransNewYork’s mission is its partnership with employers to foster environments that welcome trans and nonbinary employees. The organization provides workforce readiness training, supports hiring initiatives, and consults with companies to create inclusive policies that address discrimination and promote authentic belonging.

TransNewYork’s work is particularly timely as businesses across the U.S. confront calls for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. Herley’s model demonstrates that empowering transgender workers is not only possible but essential for long-term organizational success. By offering workshops and direct support, TransNewYork enables employers to integrate best practices—from gender-affirming onboarding to ongoing sensitivity training—while centering the lived experiences of the trans community.

Beyond business partnerships, TransNewYork prioritizes holistic care for transgender and nonbinary individuals. The organization’s counseling services connect clients with affirming mental health professionals and peer networks, addressing the intersectional challenges that often accompany gender transition.

TransNewYork also organizes social outings and community events, providing safe spaces for trans people and their families to build relationships, celebrate milestones, and access resources. Herley’s leadership ensures that the organization’s programming is both trauma-informed and celebratory, honoring the joy and resilience of the community while advocating for systemic change.

Herley’s recent recognition as a Pride Trailblazer is not just a personal accolade—it’s a testament to her success in amplifying trans voices in spaces where they have traditionally been marginalized. Through public speaking, advocacy campaigns, and media engagement, she has helped shape a more accurate and affirming narrative around transgender leadership and workplace inclusion.

TransNewYork’s advocacy extends into policy, with Herley and her team actively participating in efforts to reform hiring practices, expand healthcare access, and reduce barriers for queer entrepreneurs. At a time when anti-trans legislation and workplace discrimination remain pressing issues, Herley’s voice offers both hope and a blueprint for action.

Herley’s work is part of a growing movement of queer business leaders who are redefining corporate culture and pushing for genuine equity. Recent events, such as the Washington State LGBTQ Business Enterprise program, demonstrate the increasing recognition and support for queer-owned businesses nationwide. Herley’s approach—centering trans and nonbinary identities in the conversation about business success—sets a new standard for what inclusive leadership looks like.

Herley’s story also highlights the interconnectedness of business and community. By bridging gaps between employers, employees, families, and advocates, TransNewYork ensures that economic empowerment goes hand-in-hand with holistic well-being.

As more organizations recognize the value of trans-inclusive policies, Herley’s leadership offers a roadmap for sustainable change. TransNewYork’s model demonstrates that affirming transgender identities in the workplace is not just a matter of compliance—it’s a strategic, ethical, and human imperative.

Herley continues to mentor emerging leaders, consult with companies, and advocate for public policy that uplifts the most marginalized. Her legacy is one of visibility, courage, and unwavering commitment to equity, inspiring a new generation of queer business leaders to embrace their identities and lead with authenticity.