Diversity Network’s
Neurodiversity Summit
Sponsored by
Broadcast on Tuesday 9th April 2024 | Online
This event has now passed.
Please visit our Upcoming Events page for details on our upcoming shows.
It’s estimated that around 15% of the population is neurodiverse in some way, which means that workplaces can benefit greatly from understanding and supporting this diverse group of employees.
Neurodiversity refers to the natural variations in the human brain, including conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. At work, neurodiverse individuals may face unique challenges in areas such as communication, social interaction, and sensory processing. However, with the right support and accommodations, they can make valuable contributions to the workplace and thrive in their careers.
In this webinar, we explore how to foster a more inclusive workplace culture that supports neurodiversity.
- The benefits of neurodiversity in the workplace
- Common challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals at work
- Strategies for accommodating and supporting neurodiverse employees
Best practices for creating a more inclusive workplace culture - Our speakers for this webinar are experts in the field of neurodiversity and inclusion, with years of experience supporting and advocating for neurodiverse individuals in the workplace.
Join us for an informative and engaging session that will help you build a more inclusive and supportive workplace for all employees.
Agenda
8:00am EDT / 1:00pm BST
Fireside chat: Integrating your neurodiversity policy into a holistic DEI strategy
- Fully including neurodiversity within accessibility strategies to advance DEI efficacy
- How neurodiversity can dovetail an organisation’s overall DEI initiatives
- Charting results to date and setting expectations
Abigail Wilmore, Chief People Officer, Tom Ford Fashion
8:20am EDT / 1:20pm BST
Case study: Living with dyslexia
In this interview session, David Yozzi will share his personal experiences of neurodiversity.
- Understanding dyslexia at work to enable individuals to thrive
- How technology opens up new opportunities for those who need support
- What employers need to know about dyslexia to create an environment where employees feel valued and included
- Why neurodiversity inclusivity is vital for successful business operations
David Yozzi, SVP Inclusive Workplaces in North America, Texthelp
8:45am EDT / 1:45pm BST
Panel Discussion: Navigating a neurotypical world
Three panelists share their individual experiences of different neurological conditions and offer advice to corporations based on their personal experiences.
- What kinds of support are required in the workplace to enable all individuals to succeed?
- What role does sponsorship play in assisting employees on an individual level?
- What more should employers be doing to encourage neurodiverse individuals and enable them to be supported?
Panellists:
Dr Willie Cobb, Chaplain, Community First Medical Centre
Dr Yvette Pegues, Co-Founder and Chief Diversity Officer, Your Invisible Disability Group
Dan Harris, CEO, Neurodiversity in Business
9:25am EDT / 2:25pm BST
Presentation: A storytelling-led approach to corporate neurodiversity training
- How neurodiversity training can complement the wider support you provide to employees
- The practicalities, positives and pitfalls of implementing organisation-wide training
- Why education is essential for becoming a neuro-inclusive organisation
Kim Whippy, Enablement Lead, PwC
9:45am EDT / 2:45pm BST
Panel Discussion: Setting a successful neuro-inclusive strategy for your business
- What is needed to maximise the potential of neurodiverse colleagues and enable them to feel comfortable at work?
- How can educational programs, ERGs, mentorship and sponsorship, assistive technology and flexible working practices potentially help?
- How can digital technology also be utilised to support people day to day?
- How can we overcome the challenges that DEI and HR directors may face when introducing new policies and practices?
- How can we ensure consistent and sustained C-suite support for increasing accessibility, disability inclusion and employee wellbeing initiatives?
Panellists:
Katherine Lewis, UX Engineer, LinkedIn
David Yozzi, SVP Inclusive Workplaces in North America, Texthelp
Mark Russell, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Manager, KPMG
Sam Eastment, Head of Employee Engagement, Balfour Beatty
Our Speakers
Abigail Wilmore, Chief People Officer, Tom Ford Fashion
With over 20 years of experience in her area of expertise, Abigail has spent the majority of her career in Luxury Fashion, holds an MSc in HR and is a certified Executive/Performance Coach. She believes in breaking tired outdated HR ‘rules’.
She is a Diversity, Equality and Inclusion champion, Positive energy network generator and a Culture, engagement and Community architect.
Visit Abigail’s LinkedIn profile
Sam Eastment, Head of Employee Engagement, Balfour Beatty
Sam is an HR professional with over 20 years’ cross-sector experience, including The Conservation Volunteers charity, FTSE 100 insurer RSA, retailer HMV and currently responsible for engagement, diversity & inclusion at Balfour Beatty. She is MCIPD qualified with an excellent track record in HR business partnering, employee engagement, performance and organisational development. Driven, self-motivated, detail conscious and highly organised, with a strong focus on execution and delivery, she has built a reputation for being a real team player and a confident leader, able to build great relationships and influence at all levels.
Visit Sam’s LinkedIn profile
Kim Whippy, Enablement Lead, PwC
Kim is a diversity and inclusion professional with a specialism in disability as a business issue. She is experienced in advising organisations on supporting and working with disabled people as colleagues and customers, and passionate about helping UK businesses be disability-friendly.
Visit Kim’s LinkedIn profile
Mark Russell, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Manager, KPMG
Over fifteen years experience working in corporate environments with over four in the field of equality, diversity and inclusion, Mark has gained well-rounded knowledge across all areas of the Diversity & Inclusion profession. His own lived experience along with his passion and drive for fairness and equity has given him a real desire to build value through successful D&I outcomes. He thrives when managing multiple stakeholders taking a strategic, agile and inclusive approach in my delivery.
His own journey into the D&I sector was catalysed chairing the disability employee network at KPMG for a number of years. Employee networks remain a real passion, with vast experience of managing the wider community of employee networks building structure and governance and an environment in which they can thrive.
Visit Mark’s LinkedIn profile
Katherine Lewis, UX Engineer, LinkedIn
UX Engineer, Entrepreneur & Cycle Breaker, Katherine Lewis is also host of the Opportunity Made Show and runs The Leon Foundation of Excellence, a program that helps youth heal intergenerational patterns of trauma. She also has experience as a keynote speaker, accessibility advocate, and employee resource group leader.
Visit Katherine’s LinkedIn profile
Dr Willie Cobb, Chaplain, Community First Medical Centre
Dr. Cobb is a consultant that brings permanent and revolutionary change to individuals and organizations. The kind of change that promotes a healthy work environment and that will help your community bring about growth and prosperity. A Motivational Speaker, Educator, and Chaplain who engages others through a Ministry of Hospitality, welcoming everyone from where they are, and inviting them into community. He focuses on leadership development, self-regulation, and compassion.
Visit Dr Cobb’s LinkedIn profile
David Yozzi, SVP Inclusive Workplaces in North America, Texthelp
David is Senior Vice President of the Workplace division in North America at Texthelp and is dedicated to Texthelp’s mission to help create a more inclusive working world for everyone.
Diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, David has effectively leveraged his academic life and career to bring awareness to the unique contributions individuals with diverse learning differences can make.
Prior to Texthelp, David held leadership roles at renowned organizations such as IBM, Duke Corporate Education, Pearson, Dell, HP, Medidata, Twitter, and most recently Conde Nast.
Visit David’s LinkedIn profile
Dan Harris, CEO, Neurodiversity in Business
Dan Harris is the founder and CEO of the Neurodiversity in Business charity. NiB has been set up to transform the employment prospects of the 15 to 20% of the workforce who are neurodivergent. The charity was set up by our founder and a small group of volunteers, who were passionate about changing their own businesses to become more neuroinclusive. This rapidly grew into a significant uptake across the corporate world, given there was such high demand to share best practice and support society generally move forward.
Visit Dan’s LinkedIn profile
Dr Yvette Pegues, Co-Founder and Chief Diversity Officer, Your Invisible Disability Group
Dr. Yvette Pegues, Ed.D. began her career as a scientist and emerged an activist. She is a Disabled DEI Executive, Engineer, Diversity Champion, and Keynote/TEDX Speaker as well as the co-Founder and CDO of Your Invisible Disability Group – whose mission is to Empower, Equip, Educate and Include Individuals with Disabilities.
In her spare time, she enjoys 20+ adapted sports. From scuba diving to water skiing; horseback riding to golfing; surfboarding to skateboarding, she promotes activity as activism, well-being and self-care.
Notable Awards: Women of Color STEM; ITSMF Ivory Dove; INSIGHT Into Diversity – Inspiring Leaders in STEM.
Visit Yvette’s LinkedIn profile
What you will gain by joining us:
Accessible content for your needs
To aid accessibility, we provide accurate subtitles and transcripts for every session.
Engage both live and on-demand
Join in the conversation in-session with fellow attendees via the live chat. You will also gain complimentary post-event access so you can rewatch the session on-demand.
An opportunity to make new contacts
After the learning, join us to meet speakers and fellow attendees and make new contacts at our exclusive after-show digital meetup.
Register here
Please complete the form below, letting us know which elements we should register you for, and look out for an email to your inbox with all the details on how to join us on the day.
