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April 28
What happens when you stop trying to prove your worth and start building what only you can see?
Elizabeth Elfenbein is a creative powerhouse, a purpose-driven leader, and a visionary storyteller who’s redefining women’s health, equity, and representation on a global scale. But like so many ADHD women, that journey started with feeling like she didn’t quite fit in.
Diagnosed later in life after both of her children received ADHD diagnoses, Elizabeth realized she’d spent decades navigating the world with an undiagnosed brain. School was a struggle, especially growing up in a family that valued academics above all else. But when she discovered design and visual storytelling, everything clicked. That passion led her to Pratt Institute and a trailblazing career in branding, healthcare, and advocacy—all built on instinct, creativity, and a refusal to accept the status quo.
In this conversation, Elizabeth and Tracy talk about the energy behind ideas, the power of purpose, and why ADHD minds are wired for innovation. They explore how mission-driven work becomes a container for restlessness, how meditation and self-care keep Elizabeth grounded, and why she’s never been afraid to run toward a problem others might avoid. She also opens up about parenting ADHD children, managing emotional energy over time, and what it means to
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"I’m not afraid of change. I run toward it. That restlessness? That impulsiveness? That’s my superpower. It’s how I create impact."
- Elizabeth Elfenbein
"I’m not here to win awards or chase billions. I want to do work that changes lives that moves mountains."
- Elizabeth Elfenbein
"Don’t try to fix your child. Don’t force them to fit. See them. Celebrate what makes them different. That’s how they’ll grow into someone who believes they’re enough."
- Elizabeth Elfenbein
"I don’t build for the sake of building. I build because I see a gap, I feel a need and I know I can do something about it."
- Elizabeth Elfenbein
"I’m not available for small talk. I’m not here to follow. I’m here to create. I’m here to lead. And I’m finally doing it on my own terms."
- Elizabeth Elfenbein
"Being other is brilliant. We’re not here to be the same, we’re here to bring the one thing only we can. That’s where power lives."
- Elizabeth Elfenbein
- Elizabeth Elfenbein shares how she discovered her likely ADHD through her child's diagnosis, explaining that while she hasn't been formally diagnosed, she recognizes many ADHD traits when examining her own life experiences.
- She describes struggling academically despite coming from a highly academic family, finding her true calling in art and creative expression where she could excel, eventually building a portfolio that earned her admission to Pratt Institute.
- Elizabeth reflects on childhood experiences of creating beautiful spaces and winning design competitions, noting how she was drawn to creative pursuits where she felt successful, while developing industriousness from working to buy the things she wanted.
[11:00 - 27:00] Finding Her Path and Professional Development
- Elizabeth Elfenbein shares how her four years at Pratt Institute were transformative, helping her discover her authentic self among peers who appreciated her creative talents and approach to life.
- She discusses her career path in advertising, working with major brands like Citibank, MetLife, Delta Airlines, and Microsoft, while particularly finding purpose in health and wellness projects where she could create meaningful change.
- Elizabeth explains how her brain excels at identifying unmet needs and creating innovative solutions, citing examples like developing a social network to improve the "gross national happiness quotient" and creating platforms to give voice to caregivers.
[27:00 - 47:31] Energy Management, Parenting, and Purpose-Driven Work
- Elizabeth Elfenbein explains her approach to energy management rather than time management, incorporating meditation, journaling, gratitude practices, and nature walks to maintain high-vibration energy that fuels her creativity and productivity.
- She shares how she's learned to stand up for her creative integrity in professional settings, recalling moments when she refused to compromise on ideas she believed in, which ultimately earned her more respect from colleagues.
- Elizabeth offers advice to parents of neurodivergent children, emphasizing the importance of celebrating their differences rather than trying to normalize them, creating safe spaces for authentic self-expression, and helping them discover where their unique talents can ignite their passions.
- Linkedin: elizabethelfenbein
- Website: otherhoodagency.com
- Website: underthehoodofwomenshealth.com
- Under the sisterhood: underthesisterhood.com
- Blog: medium.com/@elizabethelfenbein
