Hello, I’m Hayley Carter. Founder & CEO of Essentia. ADHD UK Ambassador. InnovateHer Ambassador.

I’m passionate about all things DEI, and actively advocate for greater awareness, support, and conversation around neurodiversity, and invisible disabilities. Public speaking and social media gives me a platform to share these values, connect with others, and hopefully inspire change.

Throughout my career, I’ve placed trust in a select few, with something that’s meant everything to me for as long as I can remember. While I’ve had to navigate the reality of that trust being misplaced, I’ve learned to embrace both the highs and lows that come with building a career. Every experience has strengthened my resilience, sharpened my perspective, and deepened my commitment to leading with heart.

In my work, I stay hands‑on with brand, culture and customer experience, always striving to create environments where people feel supported and empowered. Neurodiversity advocacy is so poignant because it challenges the quiet, everyday inequalities so many people simply endure, replacing misunderstanding with recognition, and creating space for every mind to belong, contribute and thrive.

But this fundraiser is personal. I live with ADHD, along with several other invisible disabilities that shape how I move through the world each day. I’ve spoken openly about the challenges this brings me, from communication and mobility to the unpredictability that can make even a normal morning feel like a roll of the dice. My experiences have reinforced just how vital understanding, accessibility and compassion truly are.