About Dr. Kessel
Dr Olivia Kessel is a medical doctor, former Honorary Professor, and ADHD & Neurodiversity Expert whose career has been shaped by one consistent thread: making life-changing treatments and support accessible to the people who need them most.
From the anti-retroviral clinics of South Africa to the boardrooms of global pharmaceutical companies, and now into the homes and schools of families navigating ADHD, Olivia has spent over two decades breaking down the barriers between knowledge and action.
Dr Kessel’s Personal Story
“When you've seen what I have seen, a child go from overwhelmed to thriving, its life changing, you can't walk away when you know how to help."
When Olivia's daughter Alexandra was 11, the family was struggling. Sleep battles lasting hours every night. School frustrations nobody could explain. A clearly intelligent little girl who seemed to be failing at everything that came easily to her peers.
As a medical doctor, Olivia knew the system. But knowing the system and navigating it as a desperate parent are two very different things. It wasn't until Olivia started the SEND Parenting Podcast, initially to help other parents, that the pieces began falling into place. Alexandra was eventually diagnosed with ADHD.
The transformation was extraordinary. With the right medication, the right support structures, and the right understanding of how her daughter's brain worked, Alexandra went from struggling with basic daily tasks to independently showering, cooking full meals, and completing homework. Two years on, that change hasn't lost its shine.
A Career Built on One Belief
From South Africa to London boardrooms, one pattern kept repeating: when people truly understand their treatment options and feel supported, outcomes change dramatically.
At Gilead Sciences, Olivia led medical education across 130 access countries. At AbbVie, she managed an £11 million patient solutions and supply chain division during a supply chain crisis. At RareiTi, she created early access pathways for children with rare diseases. At Ingeus, she provided clinical oversight of contracts with the NHS, the Justice Department, and the DWP Access to Work programme for six years.
Leadership & Recognition
Olivia has contributed at board level across healthcare and education. She presented at the House of Lords in 2015, chaired the board at Head Medical, sat on the Oncology Advisory Committee at Healthcare at Home, and served as Governor for at Headington School. She holds an Honorary Professorship at De Montfort University.
Current Work
Dr. Olivia hosts the SEND Parenting Podcast (70K+ downloads, 122 countries). Her debut book, Beyond the Label, is due from Little Brown in May 2026. She works with pharmaceutical companies, schools, foster agencies, and corporate organisations to turn clinical knowledge into meaningful change.