10 Neurodiverse Female Founders to Follow

Meet the Founder

Oct 17

Entrepreneurs are often viewed as outliers. You’ve got to think differently to imagine a different future - a more positive future that entrepreneurs and their startups can help to change.

Neurodivergence is a difference in how the brain works. 15-50% of the world’s population exhibit some sort of neurodivergence.

Our uniqueness can be a part of our superpower. In the past few years, more women are being diagnosed with neurodivergent conditions like ADHD - as often women have been overlooked or left out of medical research.

Studies show that the majority of neurodivergent employees don’t disclose their status to their bosses or HR department out of fear. But when we embrace our uniqueness and understand how to work best for our individual needs, then we have every chance of thriving and creating a business that suits us.

IKEA founder, Ingvar Kamprad had to adjust some their internal processes to accomodate his ADHD and dyslexia. Virgin founder, Richard Branson famously dropped out of school after his dyslexia was treated as a setback.

"It is not a disadvantage; it is merely a different way of thinking… Once freed from archaic schooling practices and preconceptions, my mind opened up. Out in the real world, my dyslexia became my massive advantage: it helped me to think creatively and laterally, and see solutions where others saw problems"

At Atto, we always advocate for women to do business on their terms. We encourage them to test early with customers, use no-code tools to build MVPs, and to stay as independent as long as possible so that they can retain ownership.

We encourage founders to listen to good advice - but then do things that align with their values, their vision and their goals for their lives.

Here we’ve put together a list of 10 impressive neurodiverse female founders who are carving their own path in business. Below you can read their bios and a few quotes from the founders.

Meet 10 Neurodiverse Female Founders to watch

Angela Henderson

Founder: Angela Henderson
Company: Angela Henderson Consulting
Description: Online small business coach.
ADHD - Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Angela Henderson’s bio reads:

My mission is to guide aspiring female entrepreneurs to have the courage, mindset and foundations to build a successful business while embracing their natural gifts and talents, and having the lifestyle they desire.

Like many entrepreneurs, I wear multiple hats; business owner, author, business consultant and mother, to name a few. I understand the sweat and tears that go into running a high performing small business, having run my own for over 7 years. Add this to my experience as a mental health clinician and coach to go beyond the systems and processes, to the mindset that underpins all.

I have built an engaged online community of passionate business owners supporting each other along the entrepreneurial journey, which means that support is never far away. Building relationships through a connected community, infused with loyalty, kindness and respect is at the heart of everything I have always done.

You will find me down to earth, I call a spade a spade and have a big heart. I’m Canadian born, love eating Nutella straight from the jar and have been known to wear my PJs on live TV.

Barbara Corcoran

Founder: Barbara Corcoran
Company: The Corcoran Group, Shark Tank
Description: Real estate brokerage, investor, TV personality, columnist.
Dyslexia

“I was labeled the 'dumb kid' that couldn't read or write, coming all through to when I was graduating in high school.” - Barbara Corcoran

Barbara Corcoran’s bio reads:

Barbara Corcoran’s credits include straight D’s in high school and college and 20 jobs by the time she turned 23. It was her next job that would make her one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country: She borrowed $1,000 and quit her job as a waitress to start a tiny real estate company in New York City. The Corcoran Group, the largest and best-known brand in the brokerage business, building the largest and best-known brand in the business.

Corcoran is the author of the best seller “Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business!” and host of top business podcast “Business Unusual with Barbara Corcoran.”

Corcoran is a motivational and inspirational speaker. She is a frequent small business and real estate contributor on every major network. Corcoran has been an investor/Shark for the past eleven seasons on ABC’s four-time Emmy award winning show, Shark Tank, investing in over 80 businesses to date.

Cherie Clonan

Founder: Cherie Clonan
Company: The Digital Picnic
Description: Founder and Creative Director of digital marketing agency.
ASD - Austism Spectrum Disorder & ADHD - Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Read more in an interview with Cherie.

Cherie Clonan’s bio reads:

I’m an award winning digital marketer who took a risk, and left the cushiness of a well-paid, super safe in-house digital marketing role to launch The Digital Picnic in October, 2014.

This – of course – gave my husband a coronary attack [he manages risk for a living, so #barreloflarfs, really], because #newmortgage, #toddler, and … a #baby. But … it’s the best risk I’ve ever taken, because I own an incredible company now, which has an incredible reputation, and – of course – incredible people working within it [because a company is nothing without the people working within it].

Whilst profit’s cool and everything [and my company is profitable], I’d say one of my bigger success measures revolves around disrupting this industry, i.e I want to squash the 7-day-per-week 9pm+ finishes that are the norm. in agency-land, and replace it with a #bemoreFrance approach, i.e no after 5pm emails / x1 mental health day per month / 5.30pm home time, because #lyf, but also … still.definitely.profitable.

[and happier people. Like, much happier. So … winning].

So work-wise? What do I do? Well, mostly? … I’m responsible for ensuring that we’re continuously providing state-of-the-art digital marketing training to businesses all over Australia / internal marketing teams, whilst also overseeing the ongoing social media management my team delivers for an incredible line-up of clients within our digital marketing portfolio.

When I’m not doing that? You’ll find me putting out fights within my team over what temperature is acceptable for an office heater to go up to in a Winter’y Melbourne digital marketing office, because #peoplemanagement.

Delphine Genin

Founders: Delphine Genin (Atto Academy)
Company: Delphine Genin Atelier
Description: Atelier specialising in couture art embroidery.
ADHD - Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Read more from Delphine on ADHD.

“I am a former CFO and believe that ADHD-ers can become high-performing employees and valuable assets to companies despite their condition.” - Delphin Genin

Delphine Genin’s bio reads:

Born in France and trained in couture art embroidery at the prestigious Chanel-owned subsidiary Ecole Lesage, Delphine Genin is the founder and creative director of the label. Determined and talented, running a successful atelier has been the culmination of years of training and experience. As an intuitive and visual person, Delphine uses design as a form of expression where words alone are insufficient. By laying her foundations in finance and working at an executive level, Delphine was able to adapt her advanced business management skills into supporting and establishing her own label.

Within only two years since commencing the label, Delphine Genin has been described as “pioneering a radical new concept” by the Australian Financial Review. By combining rare craft and tradition with technology, the label continues to stay at the forefront of Australian luxury.

Denise Duffield-Thomas

Founder: Denise Duffield-Thomas
Company: Lucky B
Description: Money mindset mentor.
ADHD - Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Read more from Denise on ADHD.

“When I realized it was ADHD, it helped me understand and put things in place so I can thrive.” - Denise Duffield-Thomas

Denise Duffield Thomas’ bio reads:

Denise Duffield-Thomas is the money mentor for the new wave of online entrepreneurs who want to make money and change the world.

She helps entrepreneurs like you charge premium prices, release the fear of money and create First Class lives.

Her books Lucky Bitch, Get Rich, Lucky Bitch, and her newest Chill and Prosper give a fresh and funny roadmap to living a life of abundance without burnout.

Her Money Bootcamp has helped over 8,500 students from all around the world.

She’s a lazy introvert, a Hay House author and an unbusy mother of 3. She owns a rose farm and lives by the beach in sunny Australia.

Jo Malone

Founders: Jo Malone
Company: Jo Malone London
Description: Perfumes, fragrances, skincare and home scents
Dyslexia

“My dyslexia wasn’t diagnosed until I was in my teens and, in many ways, I’m glad. I struggled to tell the time and even now when I read certain letters they run around the page. I just couldn't keep up – I couldn't keep the words in my head” - Jo Malone on How I Built This with Guy Raz

Jo Malone’s bio reads:

Joanne Lesley Malone CBE (born 5 November 1963) is a British perfumer and founder of the companies Jo Malone London and Jo Loves. Malone was born in 1963, and grew up in a council house in Bexleyheath, South East London She had severe dyslexia and left school aged 13 to care for her mother. Malone founded Jo Malone London in 1990 and later sold the company in 1999 to its current parent company Estee Lauder Companies for "undisclosed millions". In 2011 she started a new fragrance company, Jo Loves.

Leonie Dawson

Founder: Leonie Dawson
Company: Leonie Dawson
Description: International best-selling author of the Goal Getter workbooks & planners, self-made multi-millionaire and online business mentor.
ASD - Austism Spectrum Disorder. Read more form Leonie on Autism.

Leonie Dawson’s bio reads:

Leonie Dawson is an internationally best-selling author of the 2022 Goal Getter workbooks & planners which have been used by over 450,000 people worldwide.

A multi-passionate entrepreneur, Leonie has generated over $12 million in revenue while only working 10 hours a week. Leonie has been recognised for her business acumen by winning Ausmumpreneur’s People’s Choice Business Coach, Global Brand & Businesses Making A Difference Awards.

Leonie has spent the last 10 years living in some of the most beautiful places around Australia. She currently lives with her two daughters and husband on the Sunshine Coast.

Sair Buckle

Founder: Sair Buckle (Atto Academy)
Company: Overtly
Description: Time's up on the undercurrents of harmful communication
ADHD - Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Read more from Sair on breaking ADHD stereotypes.

Sair Buckle’s bio reads:

With 15 years experience in Advertising, Marketing and Product Management, Sair is an accomplished product leader with experience in building products and features, most recently at Tesla.

When Sair was working in the corporate world she saw female colleagues and colleagues on visas being taken advantage of and treated unfairly. They didn't want to speak up because they were grateful for their jobs or they were too uncomfortable to raise any concerns. This didn't make the actions they experienced ok and Sair thought there must be a better way for the company to ensure everyone is treated equally and equitably.

A year later and Sair launched Overtly with the mission for data to advocate for employees.

Susie Hopkins - Lilo Wellness

Founder of Lilo Wellness

**Susie Hopkins**

Founder: Susie Hopkins
Company: Lilo Wellness
Description: ADHD Coaching that combines expertise with lived experience.
ADHD - Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Read more from Susie in Mamamia.

Susie Hopkin’s bio reads:

With more than 20 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, Susie has a Masters of Health degree and has worked for a number of years as a health coach in the corporate sector. She is also a mindfulness and yoga teacher for children and adults.

Having overcome her own challenges living with ADHD, anxiety and depression, Susie is committed to helping others to do the same. In addition to coaching adults with ADHD, Susie also works with families that have children with special needs.

Based in St Kilda outside of Melbourne, Susie is passionate about transforming the latest research on neurodiversity into practical strategies for her clients to achieve greater wellbeing and a greater sense of awareness in their lives.

Susie is the sole parent of a child with autism, and this experience has led her to develop specific resources for parents who are coping with stress related to caring for children with special needs. Drawing on her professional and personal experience, Susie provides simple ways to manage stress and find greater balance in one’s life, while also reassuring parents that they are not alone in their struggle.

Vanessa Castañeda Gill

Founder: Vanessa Castañeda Gill
Company: Social Cipher
Description: Social Cipher builds online social emotional learning (SEL) games for neurodivergent youth ages 10-15 to use with counselors, therapists, and educators.

Vanessa Castañeda Gills bio reads:

Captain of the SS Social Cipher. Vanessa handles all the business to keep Social Cipher shipshape. When she’s not thinking up the next big move for SC, she builds escape rooms and online mafia games.

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Lana Weal

10 Neurodiverse Female Founders to Follow