The Future of Work is Neurodiverse

Speakers

• Emily Sutherland

  BRM Program Financial Analyst, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, Government of Ontario

  Canada

• Melissa Valencia

  Vice Chair of Outreach and Partnerships for the Infinity Network

  Canada

• Emily Sutherland, a BRM Program Financial Analyst with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, and one of the co-founders of the Neurodiverse Employee Resource Discussion (NERD) group. NERD is a volunteer, grass-roots peer support group which emerged from a need for employees of the Ontario Public Service (OPS) to have a safe space where they can share stories, information, and resources around the challenges and opportunities neurodiversity presents in the workplace. NERD’s role has expanded to also include advocacy and education throughout the OPS, with a vision to transform the OPS into a neuroinclusive workplace through vulnerability, lived experience, and staff empowerment.

• Melissa Valencia, Vice Chair of Outreach and Partnerships for the Infinity Network, established in 2023 to support neurodivergent public servants in the Government of Canada. In this role, Melissa engages with representative groups on neurodiversity, both within and beyond Canada, promoting best practices and sharing innovative strategies to enhance neuroinclusion in the federal public service. With over ten years of experience as a public servant, Melissa is well-versed in human-centred design, strategic planning, advocacy, and partnership development.