Dr Varaidzo (Vee) Kativhu is a pioneering education activist and youth empowerment leader who transforms access to higher education for underrepresented students worldwide. As the founder of Empowered By Vee, she leads a global initiative focused on equipping young people with the skills, confidence, and guidance to pursue higher education and reach their potential.

Originally from Zimbabwe and raised in the UK, Vee’s journey has been shaped by lived experience of the barriers faced by young people from marginalized backgrounds. She became the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Oxford’s LMH Foundation Year programme and went on to complete her undergraduate degree there before earning a Master’s in International Education Policy from Harvard University. She is now undertaking a PhD in Education Leadership at Claremont Graduate University in California.

Her work centers on promoting equity in education and empowering young people to see themselves as capable, valuable, and deserving of opportunity. Through both her online platforms and in-person workshops, Vee supports students around the world to navigate academic spaces, build leadership skills, and advocate for themselves and their communities.

Vee reaches over 500,000 followers across social media platforms and has received widespread recognition for her work. She is a Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals at the United Nations and a Youth Advisor for UNICEF’s Office of Innovation. She has been honoured with a Diana Legacy Award, a Rare Rising Star Award from members of the UK Parliament, and the Diversity Champion Award from the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. In 2024, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bradford and named one of British Vogue’s Forces for Change.

Vee continues to use her platform to promote educational access and self-empowerment, working towards a more inclusive and equitable future for the next generation. Book Vee for a transformative perspective on education that inspires meaningful action and creates lasting impact for your organization's diversity and inclusion initiatives.