Founder & CEO, Collettey’s Cookies & Collettey’s Leadership Org

ClemsonLIFE, 2013

What role do you play in the entrepreneurial ecosystem?

I could not find a well-paying job that would allow me to live independently. After being rejected in many interviews, I decided to start my own company based on my hobby—baking. Today, I employ 15 people.

What are some of your best memories of your time at Clemson?

For sure, Clemson Tiger football games. I had an amazing social life, and other students included me and were very kind. I developed many friendships, even outside of the LIFE program.

What were the key inflection points in your career after you left Clemson?

ClemsonLIFE helped me feel confident and taught me how to live independently and manage all aspects of living on my own, having a career, and developing friendships.

What are your personal and professional dreams?

I am actually doing that now. My dream has always been to be my own boss—making my own decisions in life and in business, making a difference, and creating jobs for people who are neurodiverse, have faced challenges in life, or need a second chance. I have also dreamed of changing the world by creating better opportunities for people in underserved communities.

My cookie company provides meaningful employment opportunities, and my nonprofit offers education and leadership courses. I am living my dream today, but what matters even more is seeing my journey encourage others and help communities recognize the value of including people who are neurodiverse.

My story won an Academy Award in 2025, and I am currently working on a longer version of my journey, including Clemson, to be shown at universities, corporations, and state capitols across the United States. This film will include a call to action focused on employment policy. Currently, the unemployment rate for people who are neurodiverse is over 82%, and it has remained unchanged for years. The fact that I was unable to secure a job after more than 10 interviews, yet I am now leading successful organizations, proves what others are capable of and what they should be given the opportunity to achieve.

What would you recommend students do to maximize their remaining time at Clemson?

To understand to be your own leader and the importance to stand out and be your own

personal brand. You need to really understand yourself, who you are, what you want, your

values and interests and celebrate what makes your different.

What else should we know about you?

I will never stop leading this community until I see a change in the unemployment rate. I have also used my voice to speak across the country and have started a series of books about my life from kindergarten onward to inspire and encourage others to stay strong.