women

Emma Grede, founder of SKIMS and Good American, successfully navigated dyslexia to become a fashion industry leader. Her inspiring story, emphasizing resilience and determination, serves as proof that neurodiversity can be a powerful asset.

Camille Burns: I grew up in Chicago, and I went to Regina Dominican High School. I am dyslexic, so my mom ended up sending me to a Catholic school, so I’d have smaller class sizes. Then, I went to NYU; years later, I got an MBA from Baruch College. While I was at NYU, I worked in human resources at a law firm.

Women are all too familiar with the glass ceiling at work. But for those who are neurodivergent, the glass ceiling can feel more like a concrete wall.

Jennifer Alumbaugh found her neurodivergent status holding her back in jobs where she quickly outgrew her old position. Yet any attempts to move up the corporate ladder or present ideas to supervisors for improving the company were dismissed or disregarded. “It felt like I was always being rejected for promotions and now I look back and see it’s because others couldn’t see how [my neurodivergent brain] was one of my strengths.”

Emma – As an individual with dyslexia, Emma is also passionate about celebrating neurodiversity within her team.