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In this episode of the award-winning Secrets of Learning and Development, we speak with Dr Samantha Hiew, founder of ADHD Girls, speaker, writer and advocate.

Sam’s story is one of reinvention, self-discovery and purpose. From a career in cancer research and science communication to becoming a powerful voice for neurodivergent women, she shares the experiences that shaped her path and the moments that changed how she saw herself and her work.

Following a late diagnosis of ADHD and autism, Sam began to make sense of years of feeling different, struggling to fit expected moulds and questioning her place in professional environments. What followed was not only greater self-understanding, but the creation of a platform that is helping other women feel recognised, informed and supported.

In this conversation, we explore late diagnosis, identity, masking, burnout, workplace inclusion and the importance of creating spaces where people can work in ways that genuinely suit them. It is an honest and thought-provoking episode, full of insight for anyone interested in leadership, learning, wellbeing and what it means to live and work more truthfully.

Key Learnings

Late diagnosis can completely reframe a person’s life and work
Samantha’s ADHD and autism diagnosis helped her make sense of years of feeling different, struggling in certain environments and questioning herself. A major learning from the episode is that self-understanding can shift shame into clarity and help people make choices that are far more suited to who they really are.

Inclusion at work needs to go beyond surface-level awareness
The episode highlights that many neurodivergent women may appear highly capable on the outside while quietly exhausting themselves through masking. A key takeaway is that organisations need to think more carefully about energy, flexibility, safety and individual ways of working rather than relying on one-size-fits-all support.

Guest Information:

Linkedin.com/in/samanthahiew

https://linktr.ee/Samhiew

https://hub.adhdgirls.co.uk/AuDHD-in-women-masterclass

https://hub.adhdgirls.co.uk/AuDHD-Women-Intersectional-Scientific-Lens

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