Nicole has worked at Deloitte for two years, where she’s part of the Brand & Communications team. Born in the US, raised in Spain, with Dutch and Colombian roots, she grew up surrounded by difference. “Even within my own big, blended family, we were always very different from one another”, she says. “That helped me become curious rather than judgmental. If someone behaves differently than I would have, I don’t assume it’s wrong – I want to understand why.” That mindset shaped the way she works today. “Having an international background often sparks connection. People see my Dutch last name, but I communicate in English. Then I explain I’m American, but not really, and it becomes a conversation starter. Others open up too, sharing their backgrounds. It’s a great way to connect.”

Discovering ADHD

Nicole discovered she was neurodiverse later in life – diagnosed with ADHD only four years ago. But in hindsight, the signs were always there. “During my studies, I went to one lecture – just one. I knew I couldn’t sit and focus for that long. Luckily it was not obligatory to attend all lectures. I found my own way through, putting extra effort in workshops and taking advantage of flexible scheduling. I didn’t know it was ADHD – I just knew I had to do things differently.”

That creativity and flexibility carried over into her working life. “I love coming up with new ideas, building on what others say, making things better and more fun. That’s a strength that ADHD gives me. And I’m lucky that at Deloitte, there’s a lot of flexibility and understanding. If I need a quiet day to focus at home instead of the office, that’s okay. It makes a huge difference.”

But she’s quick to point out it’s not all easy. “I do get distracted. Time management is tough. I always say time escapes me! And long meetings? That’s a struggle. I can be really energetic and talkative, which can be great – but it’s also something I need to manage. ADHD isn’t a superpower. It has upsides and challenges.”

Being able to talk about it

What helps is being able to talk about it. Nicole is open with her team — whether it’s about her ADHD or the time her vitamin C supplements accidentally interfered with her medication. “I was so distracted that week and had no idea why. It was a huge relief to tell my colleagues — they were really supportive. That openness saves so much energy. You can just be yourself instead of spending all your mental energy maintaining an image.”

She believes visibility is vital. “The more people you meet who are openly neurodivergent, the more the stereotypes fall away. ADHD isn’t only about hyperactive little boys — it’s adults too, managing things with medication, coaching or personal strategies. Everyone’s experience and needs are different.”

At Deloitte, that openness and respect for individual working preferences are encouraged. “We use tools like Project Canvas and Business Chemistry so teams can talk about how they prefer to work — whether you’re a morning person or need no-meeting Wednesdays. It helps level the playing field. You learn everyone has their own way of working, neurodivergent or not.”

Raising awareness and building community

Last year, Nicole was part of Deloitte’s Neurodiversity Network’s core team, where she used her background in communications and writing to write stories about neurodiverse role models. “We wanted to challenge the one-size-fits-all view of neurodiversity and show how varied people’s journeys are. Some stories even made it into the company newsletter. We got great feedback.”

She hopes the network continues to create space for both awareness and community. “It’s important to offer education, especially for managers. But I also think we sometimes forget how powerful it is just to meet, talk, and share. That’s something I’d love to see more of.”