Helping organisations
find their why + their way
KB Heylen
they/them
Founder + Chief Strategist
That’s me on the right. Neurodivergent. Outsider. Super pattern recogniser. Whip smart. Expert business strategist. Researcher. No, I’m really not on social media. Yes, I really do have pink hair.
My ADHD makes me exceptionally good at big picture and visual thinking, able to see a problem from many different angles, and find patterns in seemingly unconnected sources that other people miss. I can hyperfocus like a demon to get the work done. All of this leads to amazing insights and problem solving for my clients.
Counter to popular stereotypes about neurodivergence, I enjoy meaningful connection and deep listening, and am driven by curiosity. My authenticity and playfulness puts people at ease, which is super useful when working with clients and their stakeholders.
I have worked as a strategy and business consultant for the past six years, helping dozens of organisations and more than 200 individual freelancers and small business owners with all things business. I have also owned my own successful bricks-and-mortar and freelancing businesses and worked for more than a decade in communications and economic development in the non-profit sectors.
My business background and neurodivergent brain make me super well suited to strategy and research work – which is lucky, because I also love my work!
My credentials
Some highlights from my work experience and qualifications:
Six years in business and strategy consulting, most recently as Head of Strategy for a national social enterprise
Master of Research (nerdy media stuff looking at digital platforms + technology regulation)
Previously owned several successful bricks-and-mortar and freelancing businesses
Nearly two decade’s experience in marketing, communications and economic development in the non-profit and government sectors
Master of Commerce (nerdy business stuff, specialising in strategy and management)
PhD due later this year (and then you can call me Doctor KB!)
My other hats
Like any good neurodivergent polymath, I have lots of exciting things and interests going on:
Academic teaching and research across media and communication studies, creative industries and commerce
Disability support work and coordination, specialising in neurodivergence and clients with ME/CFS
Nerdy word stuff - I do the New York Times crossword every day and head up a fairly successful weekly trivia team
Fat positivity and queer activism, including an upcoming book chapter on fat performance + gender
Weird experimental performance art, singing, drawing, dancing, crafting, baking - all drawing from my creative happy place
My three ridiculous fluffball rescue dogs (two Chihuahuas and a Pomeranian) who bring endless joy and mayhem.
My philosophy
Here are some of the things I believe – if you like what you see, we’d probably work well together!
Using my business skills for social good and supporting others to do the same
Working only with people and organisations who share my values
A strengths-based approach to life, focused on what is in our control, what we are capable of, and what we can change
Flipping the script on neurodivergent stereotypes by understanding how to work with my strengths, and modelling this behaviour in the world
Knowing that I can be both an introvert and a people person - I prefer gentle, meaningful connection both personally and professionally
Re-defining what success in work, life, and relationships look like for me, not others.
Strategy + ADHD
I see patterns and solutions days, weeks, even years before others – which is a competitive advantage I love sharing with my clients.
Neurodivergent brains are wired differently. I don’t have the neuro connections that filters information the same way neurotypical people do, meaning I see and sense everything very quickly, all at once. This can be overwhelming on a social level – but it also allows me to see connections, patterns and details that most people miss.
Three-dimensional thinking is also a trait I share with other ADHDers. This allows me to see structures, relationships and connections from multiple angles and perspectives. I’m the one who questions the black and white thinking and see the grey in between (side note: this makes me pretty resistant to cults!)
I prefer meaningful connections to fleeting interactions, which is great for information gathering with stakeholders in things like planning sessions and interviews. All of my work begins with the relationship first.
How this helps you
It can be hard for people inside an organisation to see clearly, especially when dealing with every-increasing workloads or facing ‘it’s always been done this way’ thinking.
This is where I come in: my outsider status (literally and figuratively) and my neurodivergent brain can see things you might have missed, connect dots that might seem random, and pull patterns out of seemingly disparate data sources.
I then convert those insights into concrete, actionable strategies to guide your organisation through whatever issue you might be facing – from restructures and reviews to new revenue streams, and from big picture visioning to compliance, governance and achievable action plans.