Panel Discussion: Best Practices for Neurodiverse Hiring

The panel will be discussing Best Practices for Neuro Diverse Hiring.  They will elaborate on how small and large companies or small and large HR departments can enable a program for neurodiverse employees.  In addition, they will discuss the challenges companies may face in making a Neuro Diverse hiring program successful. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. The buy-in for businesses is critical. We must show business value - reduced turnover, reduction in call outs, dedicated and loyal workforce.
2. Having open and honest closed-door conversations with line supervisors is a key to success. It is critical to ensure that objections or fears are heard and discussed openly.  
3. Empowering employees through proper training, disability etiquette, and giving the opportunity to voice any concerns after the training is complete. 

SPEAKERS

Craig Single is the VP of Talent Analytics and Acquisition at SOCi, Inc., a marketing technology SaaS business.  Previously he served in a similar role at Xactly Corp and Vertex, Inc., a publicly traded SaaS company.  At Vertex he led the creation and launch of their Neurodiversity hiring program and helped for a regional non-profit, Neurodiversity Employment Network.  Prior to Vertex, Craig lead Talent Acquisition for a top 20 national public accounting and consulting firm.  Before his corporate career he worked in higher education and co-op services.  He also enjoyed being a part of a SaaS, at a Dot Com, as a sales leader.  He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Psychology. 

Linda Behmke is currently in transition and performs consulting work. For 23 years, Linda worked at Quest Diagnostics, most recently as an Employee Experience Manager, and led their disability inclusion Employee Business Network, DiverseAbilities.  Linda has worked in various HR roles over the years including Recruiting, HR Generalist, Project Manager, Corporate Engagement and HR Compliance Manager.  Throughout the years she has worked closely with Inclusion & Diversity helping to set up and oversea carious Employee Business Networks and handling related reports and surveys.  The DiverseAbilities EBN had a successful Autism-led hiring initiative for several years.  Linda has been a disability advocate since childhood. 

Dr. Kristin Austin is a lover of learning and unlearning.  Dr. Austin’s goal is to catalyze individuals and structures to question “Who is at the table?  Who is missing from the able? For whom was the table built? And who is unaware that the table exists?”  Dr. Austin has pursued answers to this question via 19+ years of administrative and faculty higher education roles domestically and internationally, as well as by leading organizations and teams through equity, inclusion, and belonging-oriented education.  Currently, Dr. Austin serves as Director of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access at Rewriting Code, Inc., a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to retaining undergraduate and graduate college women in technology majors to disrupt and dismantle racial and gender inequality in the technology sector.  Dr. Austin holds a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership & Administration, a Professional Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, A Master’s degree in Counseling, and a bachelor’s degree in Social Work.  She is also blessed to learn from 3 small and forgiving professors ages 13, 11 and 7 and is married to a fellow education professional. 

Janet Potts is a Sr. HR Business Partner for Suvoda, a global clinical trials technology company, and an HR Advisor for Weavers Way, a natural food Co-op in the Philly area. She is a passionate people strategist with a flair for blending human-centered decisions and legal best practices. In her 11+ years in HR, she has tackled all the People topics, from day-to-day processes to big picture strategies. She is especially passionate about the difference ‘good’ HR can make for the lives of employees.  

Mike Giongo is employed full-time at SAP as a Sales Operations Process Management Specialist. Here, he applies his analytical skills to produce data analysis to help guide the difficult, but necessary financial and sales decisions made at an executive level by SAP.  Additionally, Michael is active in his community as a neurodiversity advocate, serving as a member of SAP’s Autism at Work program and the Board of Directors of the Autism National Committee (AutCom), as well as being the founder & leader of the local neurodiversity education & advocacy initiative Phoenixville Community Neurodiversity Discussion (PCND). He has had the honor of sharing his story on various panels, from the PA Disability Employment Summit to the Philadelphia Eagles Autism Challenge and SAP Select at SAPPHIRE NOW.  Outside of his civic and professional pursuits, Michael maintains a strong passion for exercise, reading, and his beloved Philadelphia Eagles. He currently resides in Phoenixville, PA. 

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