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 work, Tina discusses how neurodiversity in the workplace drives creativity, empathy, and innovation. Learn how leaders can better support neurodivergent talent — and why “organized best friends” might be the secret to workplace success.

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 how Muneer is using programs like the Halo Awards to elevate underrepresented cause areas — including disability and neurodivergence — into broader corporate social impact conversations.

In this episode of Minds at Work, Nathan welcomes Valeria Piaggio, Global Head of Inclusive Growth at Kantar, the world’s leading data, insights, and consulting company, to talk about why neurodivergent consumers matter more than ever. They discuss new research from Kantar and Understood.org that challenges the myth that neurodiversity is a niche issue — in fact, it’s a fast-growing, high-impact segment, especially among younger consumers. Valeria explains how brands can better serve and engage this growing population by rethinking research, representation, and inclusive design. And why doing so drives business growth. Timestamps (05:58) Kantar’s latest research on neurodivergent consumers (14:14) “If you’re not including neurodivergent voices in your research, you’re already behind.” (19:33) What Google gets right about inclusion (25:24) “The shift towards being more effective is to talk less and do more.” We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at podcast@understood.org

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 teams where everyone can thrive, especially as more Gen Z workers identify as neurodivergent.

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. She shares evidence-backed strategies that enhance productivity, engagement, and well-being, making a clear case for why the most effective workplaces are designed with neurodiversity and flexibility at their core.

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, healthcare, and education. From AI-powered therapy to innovative accessibility tools, hear how mission-driven startups are solving real problems and why investing in neuroinclusive solutions makes good business sense.

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 your business starts with embracing difference, both in the talent you hire and in the customers you serve. We feature key changemakers in the space and dive into real-world outcomes across tech, design, marketing, and work culture. We’ll be highlighting the power of difference to spark connection, shift systems, and shape a more inclusive future for all.