I was adopted into a white, middle-class family and never felt like I belonged. It impacted how I show up at work.

Nicole Benewaah

• Christelle Pellecuer, 46, was orphaned when she was seven years old living in Madagascar.
• She was adopted by a middle-class family in France when she was ten, but never felt she belonged.
• Pellecuer said her upbringing meant she was likely to advocate for herself and quick to leave jobs.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Christelle Pellecuer, a 46-year-old consultant, coach and podcaster living in England who was adopted.