Sharley Neill Reclaims Her Story to Inspire Others: Faces Tri-Cities Co-Author Series

Cathy Cena & Geneviève Kyle-Lefebvre Today on Faces: Tri-Cities co-authored stories, Genevieve Kyle-Lefebvre and Cathy Cena had the pleasure of sitting down with Sharley Neill, a deeply grounded and refreshingly candid entrepreneur whose story speaks to the importance of courage, resilience, and rediscovering one’s roots. Known for her work in the community and her growing organizing business, Sharley joined the Faces project not because she considered herself a writer, but because she felt called to share a truth that could help others feel less alone. Pulled into the project by her friend Natasha Bruce, Sharley admits she hesitated. “I’ve always been a bit of a tomboy,” she says.

“Women’s groups weren’t something I naturally gravitated to. But Natasha kind of grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and said, you need to do this. And I’m glad she did.” Sharley’s chapter tells the story of a personal journey, one rooted in adoption, family separation, and the search for connection. Removed from her birth mother at the age of five and placed into a home with three other adopted children, Sharley has spent the past year diving into her biological past to piece together the parts of herself that were left unanswered. “I wanted to know where I came from, so I could understand how to parent better, live better, and be better,” she says. Her quote, “Life shrinks or expands according to one’s courage” by Anaïs Nin, became a compass throughout this process. “You have to be brave to own your story,” she reflects. “And when you do, the world gets bigger. Things start to shift. You start to grow.”

Outside of writing, Sharley is creating real impact at the grassroots level. Through her business, she launched a holiday food drive that filled the trunk of her car with donations, all collected in exchange for cleaning time she offered her clients. She also gives away fully stocked backpacks at the start of each school year and is getting involved with STORM, an outreach initiative that supports unhoused individuals in the region. These acts of kindness are rooted in her own memories. “I remember being five and not having anything,” she says. “So I try to lift up others, because I know what that feels like.” For Sharley, community means family, and leadership begins with showing up. She encourages women to say yes to opportunities, even when they are scary. “We’re conditioned to play small, to follow old roles. But I want women to look in the mirror and say, I can do it.” She also believes that social media, when used wisely, can help us connect to real opportunities for change. Whether it’s organizing volunteers, joining a food drive, or finding a cause to support, she insists there is always a way in. “You just have to be willing to look.” Sharley’s story reminds us that healing is possible, community is powerful, and that sharing your voice, especially when it feels vulnerable, can inspire someone else to start their own journey home.