Minds at Work: How Neurodiversity Fuels Business and Belonging

Entrepreneurship rewards people who see opportunities that others miss. Rakia Reynolds joins Nathan Friedman to discuss how ADHD shaped her leadership style, fueled her creativity, and helped her build a thriving business.  From masking at work to embracing pattern recognition as a superpower, Rakia shares why some of the qualities that once made her feel different in school and traditional workpl...

As businesses navigate AI, rapid transformation, and shifting workforce expectations, one of the greatest untapped advantages may already be hiding in plain sight: neurodivergent talent. In this episode, Nathan Friedman speaks with EY global leader Hiren Shukla about how cognitive diversity fuels innovation, adaptability, and business growth.  Drawing from EY’s leading neuroinclusion work and glob...

Work is changing faster than leadership models can keep up. In this episode, Nathan Friedman sits down with executive coach and PILOT CEO Ben Brooks to unpack what’s broken and what leaders must do next. From the rise of nonlinear careers to the growing expectations of a neurodiverse workforce, they explore why traditional structures around performance, communication, and development are falling s...

Neurotechnology is moving rapidly from hospitals to everyday consumer devices. Headsets that promise better sleep, focus, or productivity may also collect neural data that reveals cognition, emotion, and mental health. In this conversation, Stephen Damianos, executive director of the Neurorights Foundation , talks to host Dr. Maureen Dunne about the emerging the emerging field of neuro rights and...

At the Davos Neurodiversity Summit, one message stood out: The future of work will be shaped by empathy, psychological safety, and better systems. Not just better intentions.  In this conversation, Dr. Maureen Dunne talks with Tristan Lavender, a globally recognized voice on neurodiversity at work, to explore what that looks like in practice.  As the founder of a global neurodiversity employee res...

Nat Lyckowski is the Global Neurodiversity Advancement Leader at IBM, where she is helping redefine how organizations build environments where different minds drive measurable results. Through authenticity, data, and intentional design, she is paving the way for business leaders to move beyond awareness and into action. In this episode, Maureen Dunne and Nat explore how companies can move past per...

In this episode of Conversations from Davos , Dr. Maureen Dunne speaks with Eve De Rosa of Cornell University about building truly neuroinclusive campuses. They explore how Cornell is leading the way in higher education, showing how research, teaching methods, and innovation can drive systemic change, empower neurodivergent individuals, and foster a campus culture where people of all learning styl...

Martin McKay is the founder and executive chairman of Everway, a global organization that helps companies build human-centered, inclusive workplaces. At the 2026 Davos Neurodiversity Summit, he spoke with Dr. Maureen Dunne about disclosing his dyslexia as a founder and senior leader. They discussed the importance of psychological safety for neurodivergent employees, and how organizations can move...

Neurodiversity is officially part of the global conversation at the 2026 World Economic Forum. In this episode of Minds at Work, host Nathan Friedman speaks with Dr. Maureen Dunne, neuroscientist, author of The Neurodiversity Edge, and founder of the Davos Neurodiversity Summit. They discuss how the summit came to be and how cross-sector collaboration can move organizations beyond accommodation to...

In this special season of Minds at Work, Understood.org partners with the Davos Neurodiversity Summit to explore how neurodiversity is shaping the future of business and belonging. Hosted by neuroscientist and author Dr. Maureen Dunne, these conversations bring together leaders from business, policy, and education to move beyond accommodation and toward inclusive systems that enable people of all...

In this episode of Minds at Work , Nathan talks with Rebecca Grone from 11:11 Media about Paris Hilton’s journey as a neurodiversity advocate and their collaborations with Understood.org , including joint campaigns for ADHD Awareness Month . Rebecca shares how 11:11 Media weaves impact into every project — including Paris & Pups and Inclusive by Design — and how brands can build mutually beneficia...

Christina Mallon , head of inclusive design at Microsoft, brings deep expertise in creating products and experiences that work for everyone. In this episode, she joins Nathan to discuss how inclusive design fuels innovation and why brands must move beyond surface-level accessibility. Christina also shares her personal journey navigating both physical and cognitive disabilities in the workplace — a...

In this episode of Minds at Work , host Nathan Friedman is talking to Justin Thomas-Copeland, CEO of the 4As (American Association of Advertising Agencies) to explore the “creativity crisis” and the role of neurodiversity in shaping the future of advertising. Justin shares insights from groundbreaking research done in partnership with Understood.org on neurodivergent talent in the creative industr...

Today, we sit down with Tyler Dean Kempf — a director, writer, and teacher from The Second City  — to explore how improvisational theater intersects with neurodivergent thinking. Tyler shares his late ADHD diagnosis at 40 and how improv gave him tools to understand and embrace his brain. Whether you’re neurodivergent or managing a diverse team, Tyler offers a fresh perspective on listening, collab...

In this episode of Minds at Work , host Nathan Friedman sits down with Tina Tonielli. She’s the U.S. head of insights and analytics at Haleon — and a passionate advocate for neurodivergent women.  Tina shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and how it inspired her to serve on the Women’s Council at Understood.org. From navigating shame to embracing authenticity at wor...

This week, we’re sitting down with Muneer Panjwani, CEO of Engage for Good , to explore how neurodiversity fits into the evolving world of corporate social impact (CSI). As the leader of one of the most influential CSI platforms, Muneer shares insights on the shifting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) landscape and what it means for leaders who remain focused on this work. Plus, you’ll hear h...

In this episode, Nathan welcomes Valeria Piaggio, Global Head of Inclusive Growth at Kantar – the world’s leading data, insights, and consulting company – and member of Understood.org Women’s Council, to discuss why neurodivergent consumers matter more than ever. They discuss new Kantar and Understood.org research that challenges the myth that neurodiversity is a niche issue — in fact, it’s a fast...

In this episode of Minds at Work , Nathan talks with Kevin Delaney, CEO of Charter, about the future of work and what it means for inclusion and neurodiversity.  They explore how hybrid work, AI, and inclusive practices are reshaping the workplace — and why supporting neurodivergent employees is more urgent than ever for business leaders.  Delaney shares practical strategies to build inclusive tea...

This week, Nathan welcomes Kay Sargent , Senior Principal and Director of Thought Leadership, Interiors at HOK, a global design, architecture, engineering, and planning firm. She is also the author of the groundbreaking book, Designing NeuroInclusive Workplaces . Kay challenges the “one-size-fits-all” office model, advocating for flexible, inclusive design rooted in choice and sensory diversity. S...

In this episode of Minds at Work , Nathan talks with Jesse Morris , co-founder of Difference Partners —a venture capital firm funding early-stage startups innovating for people with disabilities. Jesse shares his investment philosophy and how Difference Partners is reshaping the future of inclusive technology, health care, and education. From AI-powered therapy to innovative accessibility tools, h...

Welcome to Minds at Work, a podcast for leaders in neurodiversity and business, hosted by Nathan Friedman, co-president and Chief Marketing Officer of Understood.org. This show explores how neurodiversity drives innovation and creativity in business and beyond.  With over 50% of Gen Z identifying as neurodivergent, neurodiversity isn’t just a movement — it’s the future. That means future-proofing...