Empowering Neurodiverse Talent to Thrive in the Workplace

The WA Data Science Innovation Hub (WADSIH) is excited to partner with idoba on this special event.

Many neurodiverse individuals have exceptional skills that make them very valuable employees that increase productivity and product quality. Due to their different way of thinking, neurodiverse individuals can also be very innovative in solving complex problems, yet this talent pool remains largely untapped.

This event will allow attendees to understand the strengths of neurodiverse people and how employers can help prepare them to succeed in the growing area of data engineering, data science and AI related careers.

Be inspired by an interactive panel discussion and learn about the various opportunities and pathways available for neurodiverse individuals and understand how your organisation could benefit from a neurodiverse workplace.

OUR SPEAKERS

AGENDA

4.00 pm Registrations

4.30 pm Welcome: Alex Jenkins, Director, WA Data Science Innovation Hub

4.40 pm Opening Address: Prof Tele Tan, Director | Autism Academy for Software Quality Assurance (AASQA)

4.55 pm Panel Discussion, with Audience Q&A

• Jacinta Reynolds (idoba), Neurodiversity and Inclusion Cultivator

• Emily Kendall (South 32), Principal, Concept Studies – Decarbonisation

• Kristina West (Rio Tinto), Manager, Change – Rio Tinto Commercial

• James Lewis (Woodside)

5.30 pm Networking & Refreshments

6.30 pm Event Close

Places are limited. This is a catered event so registration is required.

SPEAKER BIOS

Prof Tele Tan is a John Curtin Distinguished Professor Tele Tan AM is a Professor in Artificial Intelligence and Mechatronics at Curtin University.

Tele obtained the PhD degree in Electronics Engineering at Surrey University (UK) in 1993 and spent a decade in defence research before joining academia in 2004. As an engineer, Tele’s vision is to make tomorrow better for the community and sees the importance of collaboration as a tool to help build resilience within our community, both local and global.

Tele is currenty the Director at the Curtin University Autism Academy for Software Quality Assurance (AASQA).

Jacinta Reynolds is the Neurodiversity and Inclusion Cultivator at idoba, though she has a degree in Astrophysics. For most of her adult life Jacinta has been a passionate advocate working with the Curtin Specialist Mentoring program and young people on the spectrum mentoring them through the ups and downs of school, work, and university. After been diagnosed at 14 in the UK, Jacinta has had many experiences where she has been misunderstood as a neurodivergent person but also where she has had amazing support and been given great opportunities to thrive. All these experiences she brings with her into her work in both the business world and in her mentoring. She is privileged to work at idoba where she helps shape and change the way we think about work and leadership in office environments, and encourages not only leaders but team members as well to come and learn more about what is means to be neurodivergent and the supports required to make them feel included. Jacinta also held found Perth’s Neurodiversity Network with Emily West who is also on the panel, and two other neurodivergent people. The network works to provide neurodiverse people within industry with a network of like-minded individuals but is also provides them and their neurotypical peers with tools to make life at work more manageable, and change the way we think about work and how it should be done.

Emily Kendall is a qualified chemical process engineer with a diploma in project management. Her day job is Principal – Concept studies in the Decarbonization team of an ASX200 company and has been working in the resources industry for over 10 years. Emily knows firsthand what it feels like to be misunderstood, mismanaged, and undervalued as a neurodivergent individual attempting to navigate the neurotypical corporate world. Emily is so grateful to the support networks she found over the years who helped her unmask, be authentic at work, and thrive personally. Emily is the Neurodiverse representative on the NAWOs (National Association of Women in Operations) Intersectionality Advisory Committee (IAC) and on the Engineers Australia I&D WA committee. Emily founded the Neurodiverse Employee Resource Groups at Woodside & Fortescue and has gone onto launch a Perth Neurodiverse Network with the help of some equally passionate peers including Jacinta Reynolds from Idoba.

Kristina West is a change management leader of more than 20 years, with experience in technology and culture transformation across mining, banking and not for profit organisations. She is a foundation member of Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s Neuroinclusion team, which in May this year won Rio Tinto’s ‘Pathfinders’ hackathon, providing further momentum for Iron Ore’s pilot internship program for people with autism.