Rachael Brusic is employed as a Software Quality Assurance Lead at Aspiritech NFP. She actively leads a team of 25 neurodiverse QA Analysts through complex and chaotic projects for Fortune 500 companies. Each day, she and her team empower and change the lives of adults on the autism spectrum. Prior to her time at Aspiritech, she studied Counterterrorism and Homeland Security and was employed as a Public Security Officer. She was drawn to Aspiritech because the work seemed more challenging than what she was doing in security, but she chose to stay because once she was there, she felt that she mattered in the company, no longer just a replaceable employee. She strives to make that possible for other people too. While she feels that she has much more to learn, she continuously seeks new chances to make positive change in a world that is so frequently negative. Rachael identifies as having ADHD, and C-PTSD.
Dr. Temple Grandin is well known to many for her trailblazing work as a spokesperson for people with autism and her lifelong work with animal behavior. Dr. Grandin has been with Colorado State University (CSU) for over 25 years. Grandin has been referred to as the "most famous person working at CSU" by her peers.
Her life’s work has been to understand her own autistic mind, and to share that knowledge with the world, aiding in the treatment of individuals with the condition. Her understanding of the human mind has aided her in her work with animal behavior, and she is one of the most respected experts in both autism and animal behavior in the world.
Autumn O’Connor is an autistic and dyslexic gifted polymath with a genuine desire to do something good for the world at large. With over 14 years’ experience in editing and communications, plus a wide range of qualifications including degrees in Criminology, Psychotherapy, and Strategic Leadership, certificates in Aviation, Business Management, Conflict Resolution, Fitness, Floristry, Modelling, Remedial Massage, Training and Assessment, she can speak on many topics with ease. After a reasonable stint in the corporate sphere, including four years in an executive role, Autumn decided to make a permanent tree change—to primary industry. Autumn now works in horticulture and is undertaking a Masters in Regenerative Agriculture, ready to create sustainable futures for Australian farmers, and – our great wild Earth.
Stu is actively involved in the Neuro Differences movement through his past work as a board member of Parents Education Network (Children's Health Council – Silicon Valley) & Charles Armstrong School for Dyslexia. He is currently a member of Ambassadors Circle – UCSF Dyslexia Center.
Stu created and produced Microsoft's annual "Neurodiversity in the High-Tech Workforce" Conference at the Silicon Valley Campus. He started the conference to raise public awareness of neurodiversity and champion the employment skills of persons with dyslexia, autism, and other brain-wiring conditions. This work earned him the Microsoft Annual Ability Award (2017). The conference continues today as part of the Charles Schwab Dyslexia Center at Stanford University.
His work and speaking has been featured in online and print articles by the Financial Times, Contra Costa Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Boston Globe, and various education and diversity blogs.
He and his wife are parents of two dyslexic daughters. His wife is a teacher, Orton Gillingham (Barton) tutor and advocate.
Dave Thompson has been an educator, innovator, and advocate in the field of Neurodiversity Employment since 2010. As Director of Strategic Programs for Potentia, Dave supports large companies in becoming more neuroinclusive through training on best practices, as well as recruiting and providing ongoing support to neurodistinct professionals.
As a self-advocate with ADHD and Dyslexia, Dave got his start at New York’s The Nicholas Center and Spectrum Designs Foundation, where he helped to create, manage, scale and effectively replicate systems of support which help dozens of neurodivergent individuals in the workplace every day.
His work is fed by an insatiable desire to see the world of work continue to evolve through increased opportunity, flexibility, empathy, acceptance, and support, as well as a more positive and productive collective attitude toward people labeled ‘different’ overall.
Charlotte Valeur has over 35 years of experience in finance, primarily as an investment banker in Denmark and UK. She is an experienced FTSE Chair, Non-Executive Director, and corporate governance expert, serving on a variety of boards – as well as delivering training and advising boards in corporate governance through her company Global Governance Group. In addition, she is a visiting professor in governance and leadership at the University of Strathclyde.
Charlotte has been a director of eight public companies, including three appointments as the Chair. She has taken part in a complete restructuring of NTR Plc, the sale of REG Plc to BlackRock, and, as Chair, overseen an $8bln Merger of Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate Plc with its US NYSE listed parent. Charlotte also has board experience with a range of unlisted companies including international engineering firm Laing O’Rourke, BT Pension Fund, Chair of Institute of Directors U.K., Founder, and Chair of Board Apprentice, and Founder of Impact of Neurodiversity. Charlotte herself identifies as being autistic.