The Workplace: The Future of Neuroinclusion at Work  – Confirmed Speakers

Site Support Area Lead for Balfour Beatty, started working in finance construction sector almost 20 years ago. I am co-Chair of Neurodiversity Affinity Network for Balfour Beatty Group and Domestic Abuse Ally. Passionate about promoting neurodiverse strengths which support business growth, inclusion, and diversity form both staff retention and attracting new diverse talent point of view. On a mission to help creating inclusive workspaces where everyone feels sense of belonging. Most important, mum of incredible girl Alice who has Autism and goes on that journey with me.

Cllr Jeanie Bell was appointed as Merseyside’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPCC) in January 2023. She was chosen by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, following an open and transparent recruitment process, and she works alongside her to deliver her vision and priorities for the region, focusing on three key pillars: • Fighting Crime; Proactive Policing. • Supporting Victims; Safer Communities. • Driving Change; Prevent Offending. As Deputy PCC, Jeanie can deputise for the Commissioner when necessary. She also has responsibility for a range of portfolios including Modern Slavery, substance misuse and addictions, and neurodiversity in the criminal justice system.

Danielle Cudjoe-Michalski, 'Thinking Light Coach' founder, ICF ACC certified coach, consultant and TEDx speaker, creating a holistic space empowering neurodivergent individuals to leverage their unique strengths. Danielle Cudjoe-Michalski is a seasoned Project Manager, founder of Thinking Light Coach, and co-founder and former co-lead of the Neurodiversity Network (NDN) at GSK. She championed initiatives to empower neurodiverse employees and advance inclusion. With 20 years of success in corporate STEM roles and lived experience as a neurodiverse individual, Danielle combines deep expertise with personal insight. As a certified coach, consultant, trainer, and TEDx speaker, she supports individuals and organisations in navigating the evolving neurodiversity landscape, offering practical strategies to create a neuro-inclusive culture and empower individuals to leverage their unique cognitive strengths.

Qualifications: ICF ACC coach

Donna is the Head of Training Services at neurobox. Donna started her career as a Nursery Nurse and a Primary School teacher where she developed a passion for supporting those learners with dyslexia, leading her to work for many years at the British Dyslexia Association (BDA). Over the years at the BDA, she’s worked with children and adults with dyslexia; working within education and workplaces to raise awareness and champion the Dyslexia Friendly approach. Her passion in the latter part of her career lies with supporting adults in the workplace through delivering training, and as a Workplace Needs Assessor. In 2022, Donna joined the Succeed With Dyslexia (SWD) team as Head of Training and Assessment in 2022, utilising her years of experience to create a global service. She continues her work supporting the community as a SWD Ambassador and a part of the ANND Coalition (Adult Network: Neurodiversity and Dyslexia), as well as SHADDA Local Dyslexia Association. She is now part of the Neurobox Team as Expert Training and Development Lead.

Deborah is a neuro-inclusion practitioner and academic, with 14 years of experience researching and working in the field. Her research has been published in several Routledge peer-reviewed journals, People Management magazine and the British Dyslexia Association handbook. Deborah has a PhD in dyslexia from the University of Kent. She brings her varied background to her role as Head of Consultancy & Research at neurobox, having worked as a disability advisor, strategy coach, study skills tutor, university lecturer and theatre practitioner. Deborah is committed to increasing access to the workplace, by identifying and removing barriers and building neuro-inclusive workspaces.

Qualifications: PhD, PGCHE

Jenna started her career as a research scientist in Cancer medicine. After 8 years she decided to leave the lab behind and move into Public and Patient. It was here Jenna started to explore her passion and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, taking on roles in wellbeing and the Chair of the Disabled Staff Network and soon became the EDI and Wellbeing Adviser for the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool. She provides specialist and expert advice on embedding EDI and good wellbeing within research culture. Recently, Jenna undertook a secondment at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as the EDI Lead, where she was able to help embed equality and inclusion across the city region. Jenna has a passion for advancing all areas of equality and enabling equity, but has a special interest in neurodiversity. Being neurodivergent herself, Jenna understands the impact of facing barriers in everyday life and is passionate about creating an equitable world that works for everyone. Jenna has led a number of initiatives at the University, including developing inclusive meeting guidelines and leading on the University’s first Neurodiversity Symposium last year. Outside of her professional roles, Jenna delivers specialist talks to businesses and conferences on neurodiversity and mental health. Outside of her work Jenna is also a Trustee for Compass Counselling Charity in Liverpool which does amazing work in providing affordable counselling to the people of Merseyside, and on the Board of Directors for Merseyside Young Professionals, helping to run networking events across the city.

Jenna started her career as a research scientist in Cancer medicine. After 8 years she decided to leave the lab behind and move into Public and Patient. It was here Jenna started to explore her passion and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, taking on roles in wellbeing and the Chair of the Disabled Staff Network and soon became the EDI and Wellbeing Adviser for the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool. She provides specialist and expert advice on embedding EDI and good wellbeing within research culture. Recently, Jenna undertook a secondment at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as the EDI Lead, where she was able to help embed equality and inclusion across the city region. Jenna has a passion for advancing all areas of equality and enabling equity, but has a special interest in neurodiversity. Being neurodivergent herself, Jenna understands the impact of facing barriers in everyday life and is passionate about creating an equitable world that works for everyone. Jenna has led a number of initiatives at the University, including developing inclusive meeting guidelines and leading on the University’s first Neurodiversity Symposium last year. Outside of her professional roles, Jenna delivers specialist talks to businesses and conferences on neurodiversity and mental health. Outside of her work Jenna is also a Trustee for Compass Counselling Charity in Liverpool which does amazing work in providing affordable counselling to the people of Merseyside, and on the Board of Directors for Merseyside Young Professionals, helping to run networking events across the city.

Dr Richard Purcell is the co-founder and director of Bristol-based assistive technology company, CareScribe. Rich is an NHS doctor and entrepreneur, developing innovative assistive technologies to promote accessibility and inclusion in education and the workplace.

John is a Chief Technology & Data Officer within KPMG’s UK/Swiss business. He leads a diverse team of individuals who design, deliver and implement data and technology solutions for our people and our clients. Prior to KPMG, he spent 25+ years advising organisations and leading business change, for clients in both public and private sector. At 42 he discovered he was dyslexic and, recognising the significance of its impact on his life and career, he began an unexpected journey into the world of neurodiversity at work. He became one of the founders of the first neurodiversity network in a big-4 professional services firm and joined the board of the British Dyslexia Association.

Katie Allen is a Confidence Coach, TEDx speaker, and host of the "Speaking of Inclusion" podcast. With a background in both commercial leadership and HR she understands the societal challenges faced by businesses today. She is now on a mission to use her insight and experience to change the world of work and create psychologically safe spaces where everyone can thrive. Talking with you, not at you, her goal is to empower forward thinking leaders, allies, and accomplices with the confidence to have the conversations that matter, without the fear of putting their foot in it.

Ken has worked within DWP supporting people with disabilities and conditions since joining in 2012. He is the lead for the Disability Services Advocacy Team working within the Armed Forces and veterans’ community. His work involves upskilling stakeholders nationally on the benefits and grants delivered by Disability Services, these being, Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance for Children, the government grant Access to Work and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. He is passionate about working within the Special Educational Needs and Neurodivergent community especially in their ability to get support from Access to Work the government grant, helping people with interviews, starting jobs and supported internships. Ken has a real passion to increase stakeholders’ knowledge on how to support and navigate these benefits and grant customer journeys, with the recognition and understanding that there are additional and sometimes complex needs that this community may need support to overcome.

Lee McDermott (he/him) has been in post as the EDI Officer at the University of Cumbria since September 2018, working within EDI for 10 years and education for 15 years. At the University, Lee has led on the University of Cumbria’s White Ribbon June 2022 accreditation and development of the 3-year action plan, undertaking the role as organisational lead in 2021. Lee has also led on the Stonewall WEI Silver Award success in 2022, Disability Confident Leader validation and supported the University to achieve the Athena Swan Institutional Bronze Award in April of 2023.

After a lifetime of working with neurodiversity, and more than 13 years of supporting others with neurodiversity - and disabilities - I have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in supporting not just people but also teams, managers, and organisations. From helping design and deploy neurodiversity, disability, and wider ED&I policies, to working with individual managers and employees. Prior experience in senior management and operational roles has also given me a valuable understanding and awareness of the needs of the organisation, managers, and individual employees.

Matthew’s journey is one of resilience and innovation, shaped by his experiences as a lifelong dyslexic. Diagnosed at the age of six, he faced early challenges in traditional education but found his passion in engineering. After earning a BTEC National Diploma, he began his career as an HGV technician with Volvo and Mercedes-Benz Trucks. In his mid-20s, Matthew embraced a bold challenge, pursuing a fast-track MEng at Robert Gordon University, where he also achieved success with his team in the MATE ROV competition, winning three awards. His professional career spans impactful roles, including a graduate scheme at Siemens, contributing to the design of a new motorcycle at Triumph Motorcycles, and excelling in the high-performance vehicle and electric vehicle sectors. Notably, he reverse-engineered a 1960s Le Mans car and recently helped engineer the Jaguar Type-00 concept car, unveiled at Miami Art Week 2024. Matthew is also the founder of Dyslexia Life Hacks, a platform that shares practical strategies for navigating life and work as a dyslexic, alongside a bi-weekly podcast, The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show. Through this, he combines his engineering mindset with his passion for advocacy, empowering others to thrive with dyslexia.

Meghan is a dedicated advocate for disability inclusion and accessibility. Using her lived experience as a disabled and neurodivergent woman, she leverages her personal experience to conduct workshops, provide action-focused consultancy, and create engaging e-learning programs to eliminate access and participation barriers. With her diverse background including allied health and innovation, she has a vast range of experience to draw on in her work, including working with global NGOs and FTSE 100 companies in the UK and internationally. She was recently highly commended in the Disability Specialist of the year category at the RIDI 2024 Awards.

Michael is Microsoft’s Accessibility Go to Market Manager; his focus is landing Microsoft’s commitment to bridge the “Disability Divide”. Company-wide, alongside customers, partners, and communities, Michael’s scope is to increase societal inclusion for people with disabilities. The commitment covers technology, talent development and workplace culture. Using his creative neuro-diverse thinking and passion for inclusion, Michael creates and curates Microsoft’s Digital Inclusion content, to empower inclusive organisations gain greater business advantage. Michael also leads Microsoft’s UK Disability Employee Resource Group chapter and was invited to 10 Downing Street to present his views on bringing disabled talent into work. His personal proudest achievement is having brought Microsoft UK to Disability Confident Leadership status. Michael received Microsoft’s highest Platinum Club award for his work in disability inclusion and was listed as one of "125 People to Follow" on LinkedIn about Diversity and Inclusion. He also featured in the Disability Power 100.

Natalie Brooks is the Founder of Dyslexia In Adults, an influential community reaching over 200k neurodiverse adults through social media, email newsletters, and podcasts. Natalie helps individuals feel valued and successful, offering a proven framework to navigate dyslexia's challenges and strengths. She understands the frustration of feeling inadequate and the fear of making mistakes at work. Natalie's mission is to change perceptions of dyslexia, focusing on finding practical value rather than labelling it a superpower. With a deep desire for change, she is dedicated to creating impactful solutions and fostering a supportive environment for adults with dyslexia.

Qualifications: Executive Function Coach Certified

My Name is Stephen. I work as a Technical Engineering Assessor/Lecturer For BMet-BMW Oxford. I have Dyslexia and I am very open to my Apprentices about the many difficult challenges I had with education, society and the working environment and how I overcame the many obstacles and barriers that I faced throughout my life. For many years I have developed my own specific strategies which I use for myself but also when developing my teaching & assessing plans which I specialise to tailor the needs of my Apprentices, especially those with learning difficulties, this includes, 1-1 Classroom & Work Placement support, and also run open surgeries to give extra support to my learners.

Steve is a Neurodivergent Mentor and Teacher and also a Workplace Strategy Coach. Steve also runs his own company run along with his wife called ParkeCore Health and Wellness. Steve and his wife work with clients on their physical and mental wellness and specialise working with neurodivergent children and adults.