Beautiful Minds

Sebastian Beckley (he/him) is the head of the Finance and Fellowships team at the Rackham School of Graduate Studies, overseeing financial operations and fellowship activities within the school’s budget framework. He values knowledge sharing and mentorship, participating in programs like the Blavin Scholars Program, SummerWorks Youth Employment Program, and UM Neurodiversity Project to extend his guidance beyond his immediate role. Outside of work, Sebastian enjoys gardening, traveling, and exploring diverse cultures and cuisines, which contribute to his personal growth and well-rounded lifestyle.

Tara Engholm is a Senior Project Manager in the Director’s Office and Associate Director in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at the Institute for Social Research (ISR). In these roles, Tara manages ISR-level projects, leads the policy subcommittee responsible for reviewing, updating, and authoring policies, and heads the administrative team within the ISR director’s office. Additionally, she co-leads the DEI office, where she is instrumental in program development and managing the DEI budget. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Tara enjoys baking and traveling, which provide a perfect balance to her dynamic career.

Kathleen has worked in the Medical School at UM, with a brief stint in the College of Engineering, MSE, as a postdoctoral fellow, research investigator, PI, and lab manager. Kathleen previously served as the compliance person for animal studies, biosafety, human studies, and lab safety for departments at U-M.

Beth Jakubowski works as the Assistant Director of Research Development in the Associate Dean of Research office in Michigan Engineering. Beth has worked in administration and project management within industry, non-profit sector, research, and academia. She has a Bachelor’s in Anthropology from the University of Michigan and a Master’s in General Clinical Psychology with a specialty in complex trauma from Eastern Michigan University. Beth is currently a member of the Michigan Engineering Culture, Community and Equity Staff Network to improve communications and share resources. She was on the team for the inaugural 2024 Beautiful Minds Conference. Beth enjoys reading, hiking, travel, and spending time with family and friends.

As a research assistant for the Institute for Social Research’s (ISR) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office Evie serves as a student support staff member for the Neurodiversity Project. Evie is passionate about tackling DEI initiatives. Outside of her work with the ISR, Evie is an undergraduate student at the School of Information where she is assisting in Barbara Ericson’s research lab to combat racial and gender disparities within the field of computer science through the redesign of scaffolding tools.

As a dedicated volunteer of the Beautiful Minds Conference, as well as a staff member at the University of Michigan, Chris’s primary objective is to enhance the university environment for all staff, students, and faculty. This initiative is driven by my personal commitment to dismantling the stigma surrounding neurodivergence.

Through the Beautiful Minds Conference, Chris aims to create a platform where neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals can come together to foster understanding, collaboration, and mutual support.

Jesse leads the LSA Technology Services Video Services team, managing technology for classes and events, including assistive technologies. He earned a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Earlham College and worked in professional theatres across Central and Southeast Michigan, alongside a part-time role at the UM School of Education. Joining the University of Michigan full-time in 2008, he has been with LSA since 2012. Additionally, Jesse serves on the Board of Directors of the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) and facilitates the LSA ADHD Staff Affinity Group.

Sandy Zalmout is the Summer Program Development Director at the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) at the Institute for Social Research (ISR). Her primary role involves cultivating and growing institutional relationships. Sandy is also a leader in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. She played a key role in launching the Beautiful Minds Conference in 2024 and has been invited to co-lead the Higher Education Neurodiversity Network. She serves on the ISR Accessibility Working Group, is the Secretary for the Women of Color Task Force, and is active on various advisory committees that focus on DEI, accessibility, disability support, and cultural relations.

Christine Lightner is a dedicated Administrative Assistant Sr in the Dean’s office at the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS). Christine provides administrative support to the Assistant to the Dean, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and the Associate Dean for Research and Engagement. In her role, she coordinates faculty hiring searches and serves as a facilitator for SEAS Staff Affinity Groups. Committed to fostering a more inclusive and diverse community, Christine is an advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Neurodiversity, Equity, and Inclusion (NDEI). Christine also serves on Voices of the Staff on the DEI Committee. She is dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all members of the SEAS community. In her free time, she and her daughter enjoy biking the Lakelands Trail, being crafty, and traveling.

Sean Ahlquist is an Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Michigan. He leads the Lab for Socio-material Architectures, and is currently the director of the Master of Science in Digital Material Technologies program. Ahlquist’s work addresses architecture’s pressing need to generate inclusionary public and educational spaces for underserved populations, informed by his personal experiences as a parent to a, now 14 year old, autistic daughter. With an approach towards enriching agency through novel sensory-responsive environments, research focuses heavily on the testing of experimental prototypes across a wide range of venues – including children’s museums, civic plazas, classrooms and therapy centers, and as part of prestigious events such as the 2021 Venice Architecture Biennale and the Big Umbrella Festival at Lincoln Center in New York City.

PF Anderson is the Emerging Technologies Informationist for the Health Sciences at the University of Michigan, where they also serve as Graphic Medicine liaison and Disability Research liaison, collaborating closely with the Center for Disability Health and Wellness Research. They self-identify as a queer, non-binary, neurodivergent Jew with multiple disabilities, both visible and invisible, writing both creative and technical works. They have a rich patchwork background in the neurodivergent community through personal experience as well as a caregiver and family member of neurodivergent folk.

Kari Bigelow is a graduate student at the School of Information, majoring in library science. She is extremely passionate about disability justice and the inclusion of lesser-known disorders into the spectrum that is neurodiversity. In her free time, she transcribes documents for the National Archives and volunteers with the Crisis Text Line. Her lived experiences as a neurodivergent individual include being autistic and experiencing psychosis.

Ryan is a graduate of AIM Academy, where he was an active leader in the Student Engagement Department. He served as a BSU representative for two years before becoming president in his senior year. As a mentor and later a Chapter Leader for Eye to Eye’s AIM/AMY chapter, Ryan showed a deep commitment to his community. His work earned him an invitation to Eye to Eye’s 2022 Organizing Institute at the University of Denver, where he served as both an Ambassador and Intern. Ryan’s journey has been shaped by his personal experiences with learning differences, including ADHD and ADD, which have fueled his passion for advocacy. Now a Senior Public Speaking Ambassador with The ND Alliance, he is driven to support and uplift the neurodiverse community. Ryan is honored to use his voice to encourage others to pursue their goals and to serve as a strong advocate for the neurodiverse world, both socially and academically.

Damon Carucci (he/they) is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Michigan School of Information, where he is advised by Dr. Kentaro Toyama. Broadly speaking, Damon is interested in doing research and community organizing that promotes wellbeing and helps marginalized folks thrive in unwelcoming or hostile environments. Through qualitative user-centered methods, his dissertation examines how healthcare and education organizations support, or fail to support, the mental health of doctoral students. His research aims to contribute to the fields of Information Science, Higher Education, and Critical Disability Studies.

Marna M. Clowney-Robinson expertly integrates her dual roles as a practicing Clinical Social Worker in private practice and the Graduate Student Engagement Librarian at the University of Michigan, leveraging her multifaceted expertise to make a significant impact on both her clients and students. Her work enhances academic and personal development in profound and meaningful ways.

Marna possesses a strong educational foundation in both Social Work and Library and Information Science, holding a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Wayne State University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan.

Positioned at the intersection of these two fields, she is celebrated for her innovative use of Bibliotherapy and Graphic Medicine, methods that have earned her recognition on platforms such as National Public Radio and Essence Magazine. These distinctions highlight her in-depth knowledge of trauma-informed practices and eating disorders.

In her clinical practice, Marna specializes in guiding clients through challenges related to eating disorders, trauma, and identity issues. As a clinician, she employs bibliotherapy and other therapeutic techniques to facilitate emotional and psychological healing through literature and visual storytelling. Her steadfast commitment to social justice is evident in her advocacy for survivors of domestic violence, where she provides crucial support and amplifies their voices in the community.

As the Graduate Student Engagement Librarian, Marna plays a pivotal role in connecting students to essential academic resources. She offers guidance on effectively utilizing library tools and supports students with citation management, equipping them for academic success.

Her efforts assist students in navigating complex research landscapes and developing skills that surpass the classroom, preparing them for future challenges.

Beyond her primary roles, Marna’s leadership and dedication extend into her involvement with professional organizations and committees. She has served on various committees within the American Library Association and at the University of Michigan, underscoring her commitment to her fields. Most recently, her expertise has led to her appointment to the Health Professional Recovery Program committee with the State of Michigan, further exemplifying her dedication to fostering environments of growth, healing, and empowerment for all those she serves.

Brie Commons is an Interim Guest Services Senior Supervisor at Michigan Medicine. In her role, she has been a driving force behind several pivotal initiatives for her department but the one she is most passionate about is her work with Autism Kits. She pioneered getting these kits at most entrances to the hospital and was just awarded $10,000 from the Mott Golf Classic to grow this initiative. Brie’s vision for support of neurodivergent patients and families includes the expansion into clinic areas, inpatient units and the adult hospital. Brie received her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience from the University of Michigan and her Master of Business Administration from Siena Heights University.

Grace Corrigan is a neurodivergent PhD student in Communicative Sciences & Disorders at Michigan State University. Under the mentorship of Dr. Courtney Venker, Grace is pursuing research that will contribute to the destigmatization of autistic social communication (info-dumping, echolalia, etc.). She loves to talk about cats, geography, and autism.

Jeramy Donovan is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Michigan-Flint. With a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education, Dr. Donovan focuses on research in learning progressions, inclusive teaching practices, and culturally responsive pedagogy. He has presented his work internationally, including in Germany, India, and the Netherlands, and is actively involved in study abroad programs that enhance preservice teachers’ global competencies. Dr. Donovan’s teaching philosophy centers on bridging theoretical frameworks with practical applications, preparing educators to create equitable and effective mathematics learning environments for diverse classrooms.

Dr. Donovan brings a deeply personal and impactful perspective to his work, informed by his lived experiences as an individual with ADHD and Bipolar I disorder. Diagnosed at the age of 33, he has navigated significant mental health challenges while building a thriving academic career. His openness about his journey, including periods of relapse and recovery, has inspired students and colleagues alike, fostering greater awareness and destigmatization of neurodivergence in education. Dr. Donovan leverages these experiences to advocate for neuro-affirming practices and equitable accommodations for both students and educators.

Barbara T Felt, M.D. M.S. is a Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician at the University of Michigan. After graduating from Wayne State University School of Medicine, she completed Pediatrics residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, then fellowship in Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve-University Hospitals in Cleveland. Her clinical interests include child sleep problems, elimination disorders and ADHD and advocating for the needs of individuals with neurodevelopmental concerns.

Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of The Neurodiversity Alliance, David Flink, is an author and social movement leader who imagines a world where all learners are seen, heard, and valued. David holds a Master’s degree in dis/ability studies in education from Columbia University and two Bachelor’s degrees with honors in education and psychology from Brown University.
David has served on national nonprofit boards, including the Swanee Hunt Alternatives Foundation, Generation Citizen, CAST, and the New Profit Reimagine Learning Advisory Board. He is a Hearts on Fire Visionary, Pahara-Aspen Institute Fellow, Advisor for The Leadership Academy, and more. He has also received many honors and awards, including, but not limited to, the Prime Movers Fellowship, the prestigious Ashoka Fellowship, the Teachers College, the Columbia University Alumni Early Career Award, and the 2015 GQ Man of the Year. Most recently, David was named a 2021 CNN Hero for his work supporting students with learning disabilities.

Annie is a second-year Master of Public Policy student in the Ford School focused on education and disability policy. Before joining the University of Michigan, she received her BA in elementary education at Michigan State University. At MSU she spent most of her time working for the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities remediating textbooks, tutoring students, and running support groups for students with ASD to assist with the transition to university life and academics. After graduation, Annie hopes to work on preparing teacher candidates to support neurodiverse students in their classroom and beyond, as well as increasing accessibility knowledge within post-secondary education.

Paige Huhta graduated with her masters degree in occupational therapy from Eastern Michigan University in 2015. She currently works on the inpatient rehabilitation unit at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. She is passionate about neurodiversity affirming care and partnering with families and children to achieve meaningful goals. Paige brought a neurodiversity affirming approach to treatment in her outpatient role and is eager to continue bringing this important lens in an inpatient setting. She loves incorporating children’s special interests into play-based activities to make occupational therapy sessions a fun and engaging experience.

Devin Johannis is a career coach and professional development program manager at the University of Michigan Dearborn. He earned his M.A. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Michigan in December 2022. In addition to his full time role, Devin contributes to research on student access and success measures in higher education through the University of Michigan’s Diversity Research and Policy Program. As a neurodivergent professional himself, Devin is deeply passionate about advocating for individuals with disabilities and bringing awareness to inclusive employment practices.

Dr. Shanna Katz Kattari is an associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, in the Women’s and Gender Studies Department (by courtesy) and is the director of the [Sexuality | Relationships | Gender] Research Collective as well as a board certified sexuality educator with almost two decades of experience. A queer, AuDHD, disabled, chronically ill, fat nonbinary femme, they are an esteemed researcher, scholar, and advocate whose work has made significant contributions to the fields of social work, health disparities, disability justice, and LGBTQ+ studies. With a steadfast commitment to social justice and equity, Dr. Kattari’s research and advocacy efforts have focused on understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities, particularly within the realms of gender, sexuality, and disability (including neurodiversity).

Greg is the CEO and co-founder of TEAM NILO, where he empowers college athletes to leverage their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) to create positive impact and meaningful change. With over 10 years of experience in the dental and healthcare sector, he is known for his expertise in business development, community impact, and prioritizing others’ best interests. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Greg holds a business degree from the University of North Texas and an MBA from Dallas Baptist University. He lives in Flower Mound, Texas, with his wife, Sarah, and their three children—Noah (14), Jayden (12), and Gianna (3).

Jacob Krehbiel is a Research Assistant and Technical Aide at Michigan State University. He has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Technical Communication from Ferris State University. He is Autistic and his goal in life is to help other Autistic individuals. His hobbies include watching and discussing movies.

Chloe Ma is from Chicago, IL. They are currently in their third year at The New School, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Design and Management, with a minor in Fashion Communications. Chloe is a cosplayer and works four other jobs in fashion communication and retail. Their connection to The Neurodiversity Alliance includes roles as a mentor, chapter leader, OI Logistics Intern, social media intern, and participant in the LD Day of Action.

Hailing from Connecticut, Ashley McClain graduated from the University of New Haven with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration. Following graduation, Ashley worked as a Community Resource Advocate alongside the Office of Adult Probation as well as a Social Worker with the Department of Children & Families. After becoming mom, Ashley shifted her career and began working in higher education. She continued her professional career for over 10 years working in both collegiate admissions and financial aid.

In 2020, Ashley’s journey as a parent changed when her family learned that their son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.  At that time, Ashley stepped away from full time work to focused on supporting the needs of her family.

In June of 2023, Ashley created LINKED- Autism Safety Project after realizing there was a lack of knowledge and understanding of the neurodiverse community within emergency management services. Ashley has partnered with various police and fire municipalities, both within the public and private sectors, on a local, state and national level to provide resources, support, training and consultation to better assist the special needs community.

Additionally, in September of 2023, Ashley launched Beyond the Horizon, Inc, a non profit organization that provides sensory friendly and adaptive programming throughout the State of Connecticut for families and individuals within the special needs community.

Due to her involvement and development of programming, Ashley has been appointed as a council member CT Council for Developmental Disabilities and has been certified as a Police Officer Standards Training (POST) and Department of Public Health Office of Emergency Medical Services Instructor for first responders in the State of Connecticut. Additionally, Ashley serves as a consultant with various organizations and state entities to assist in better understanding and developing programming for those within the differently able to community.

Ashley resides in North Branford, Connecticut with her husband Josh and their two children, Leigha and Colton.

Jessica oversees the Faculty & Staff Disability Navigator pilot program for the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, which was launched in January 2022. The program now facilitates disability accommodations for employees, leads college accessibility initiatives, and provides education on disability-related topics via consultations, workshops, and asynchronous resources. Jessica joined LSA in 2018, after working as a consultant for Canadian and international nonprofits on projects pertaining to accessibility, inclusion, and disability policy. Jessica has non-apparent disabilities and has cared for disabled loved ones throughout her life. She strives to normalize disability as a part of the human experience and to build enthusiasm for accessibility by design.

Stephanie Peck is an openly neurodivergent individual who holds a Clinical Master’s degree in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University (EMU). They joined the University of Michigan in August 2023 as an LSA Faculty & Staff Disability Navigator, where they facilitate the ADA interactive process that determines reasonable accommodations for employees. In addition, she educates individual employees and departments on designing and updating workspaces to transform them into more inclusive environments, specializing in neuro-inclusive and physical access planning best practices. Stephanie also has multiple years of experience supporting students with disabilities, including serving as the lead student accommodation specialist at EMU. She was a catalyst in the success of the EMU College Supports Program, the second Autism support program of its kind in the country at the time.

Carly attended the College of the Holy Cross, where she was a four-year member and captain of the Division I Swimming and Diving Team and graduated with honors in History and English in 2018. After college, she joined Teach For America in Miami-Dade County, teaching upper elementary English Language Arts and Social Studies at Frederick Douglass Elementary School, where she was named Rookie Teacher of the Year in 2019. In 2021, Carly joined The Neurodiversity Alliance, first leading the Eye to Eye Mentoring Program and then transitioning to her current role as Director of Curriculum and Program Development.

Jessica Ravineala, MS, OTRL is an occupational therapist and a mom of two daughters. She is the owner of The Therapy SPOT, a pediatric clinic offering speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy in both Farmington Hills and Troy, since 2014. She is also co-founder and Director of Learning for Bridges Development Center, a non-profit therapeutic preschool for neurodivergent children.

She has training and expertise in sensory processing, emotional regulation, feeding, visual and motor skills, and more. She started The Therapy SPOT with the vision to have a multi disciplinary team with a passion for supporting children and their families across all areas of development. She is passionate about educating parents and the community, and focuses much of her work on neurodivergent affirming, child-led, and trauma-informed approaches.

Jessamyn Ressler-Maerlender is a Continuous Improvement Specialist at Michigan Medicine Children’s and Women’s hospitals. Her work focuses on reducing harm from hospital acquired conditions, patient and employee experience, equity issues, and safe transitions of care. Previously, Jessamyn was Director of NICU Innovation at March of Dimes, creating and disseminating best practices in neonatal family centered care. Jessamyn received her Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, lives in Ann Arbor, and is a Michigan State Spartan at heart.

Erik has worked in adaptive sports for the past decade, formerly with Wheelchair Basketball Canada managing the operations for the National programs. He then completed a Master of Business Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto, Canada that included his thesis “Examining the Potential Inclusion of Adaptive Sport in the NCAA”. Erik has worked with Adaptive Sports & Fitness at the University of Michigan for the past five years supporting the mission, vision, and growth of adaptive sport and fitness initiatives within the University of Michigan and broader adaptive sport landscape at the local, state, and national level.

Kari Sherwood, MS, MEd, MSW, LMSW, is a mom to three auDHD teens and a PhD Candidate at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Her research is centered around improving employment opportunities, access, and inclusion in the workplace for autistic and neurodivergent individuals. Her dissertation explores microaggressions and masking experiences of autistic adults in the workplace. She also has experience designing and evaluating technology-based interventions, and plans to utilize those skills to develop interventions for employers to establish more inclusive hiring practices and workplace cultures.

Matthew J. Smith, PhD, is the Associate Dean for Research and a Professor in the University of Michigan School of Social Work and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Dr. Smith’s main research interests are developing and evaluating technology-based interventions that can be delivered in high schools, community mental health agencies and criminal justice settings to improve employment and mental health outcomes for transition-age youth and adults with disabilities, individuals with serious mental illness, and justice involved youth and adults.

Dr. Smith received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed post-doctoral fellowships in psychiatric epidemiology and biostatistics at Washington University in St. Louis and in translational neuroscience at Northwestern University. He completed a fellowship on leading randomized controlled trials to evaluate behavioral interventions through the National Institute of Health, Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research.

Dr. Smith is the PI on research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH110524, R34 MH111531, and R01 MH132656), National Institute of Justice (2019-MU-MU-0004), the Kessler Foundation (1003-1958-SEG-FY2016) and the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (UM1TR00404). Additional funding for the Level Up Lab and trainees has been funded through the National Institute of Mental Health (R44 MH123359, R01 MH112625, K18 MH122847) and the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (90IFRE0031, 90IFDV0032).

Melissa Sreckovic is an Associate Professor of Education at the University of Michigan-Flint,
where she teaches and conducts research on inclusive practices in education. She earned her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2015. With over 15 years of experience working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder, her research focuses on best practices for creating inclusive environments in schools and communities. Dr. Sreckovic is particularly passionate about bridging the gap between research and practice to support meaningful inclusion for individuals with disabilities.

Dr. Courtney Venker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University. Her research focuses on how autistic children learn language and how best to support language development. She enjoys traveling with her family (especially visiting National Parks).

Keith Wakeman is Founder & CEO at SuperBetter. Keith leads the company’s mission to unlock the heroic potential of youth & young adults everywhere.

The SuperBetter Mindset is a mental framework that uses the psychology of game play to overcome life’s obstacles. It’s backed by five published studies showing its benefits for improving resilience & self-efficacy and significantly reducing anxiety & depression.

Keith is a purpose-driven leader, innovator and brand builder. He’s passionate about tackling global challenges with innovations that are evidence-based, accessible & scalable. He has led the development & launch of over $1 billion of new products.

Keith started his career in the food industry where he managed brand portfolios and directed innovation teams for leading companies including Kellogg, Keebler & Nabisco. Later, he founded a strategy and innovation consulting company that partnered with clients to envision, develop & launch new ventures and growth platforms across a range of health, wellness and food sectors.

Claire Weaver (she/they) holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is currently completing their postdoctoral fellowship at the Mary A. Rackham Institute (MARI). They specialize in supporting neurodiverse individuals and executive functioning challenges, integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into their clinical work. Claire is passionate about fostering self-understanding and empowering individuals with practical strategies to navigate their strengths and challenges.

Pete helps organizations design better futures for people (patients, customers, employees, students…). With 20+ years of human centered design and research leadership, Pete has extensive experience with organizational design, mixed methods research (big data meets thick data), prototyping (physical, digital, and services), and leading synthesis across diverse stakeholders.

Pete’s held a variety of leadership roles to drive the creation of new products, services, platforms, and shared value creation with corporate and academic partners including Walgreens, Microsoft, and Carnegie Mellon. His core mission includes being a strong advocate for the communities organizations are a part of, including addressing needs around mental health, intergenerational health, and caregiving.

Dr. Laura Yakas completed her PhD in anthropology and social work at the University of Michigan, and currently serves as an instructor in the School of Social Work. She is passionate about disability justice – especially anti-saneism – and in her research, writing and teaching she draws upon her lived experiences as a proudly mad/neurodivergent, queer, and indigenous/Māori woman. She loves designing and facilitating transformative social work courses, and in recognition of her efforts to integrate mad/neurodiversity-affirming perspectives and practices into the curriculum, she was recently honored with the school’s Distinguished Lecturer Award. She also enjoys collaborating on publications about disability and madness/neurodiversity with colleagues at the University of Michigan’s Sexuality|Relationships|Gender Research Collective and the cross-institutional Social Work Disability Justice League. And she also writes and performs musical comedy about these topics, because making fun of the world is another great way to transform it!

Jaime Zavier is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Michigan. She is passionate about supporting children, adolescents and adults with developmental differences. She began her career providing individual therapy at Sunfield Center for Autism, ADHD, and Behavioral Health in Ann Arbor, where she worked with clients to improve coping skills, social skills, and independent living skills. Jaime came to the Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) in February of 2022 where she supported neurodiverse individuals secure employment and create more inclusive work environments. Jaime currently serves as the Community Education Specialist with AAoM increasing visibility of autism, neurodiversity, and available resources statewide. Jaime earned her Master’s of Social Work degree in 2018 from Wayne State University, as well as her bachelor’s degree in Family Community Services at Michigan State University in 2012.