I was always seen as different but was diagnosed as autistic later in life. As a youngster, the educational ‘professionals’ told my mum not to bother with me. Thankfully, Mum never listened.
My original passion was genetic research. As an undiagnosed autistic person with dyspraxia, my clumsiness and the politics of research created an insurmountable barrier and I had to diversify. This brought me to Microsoft.
With my passion for diversity and inclusion I established our Disability Employee Resource Group in 2015. We are the largest chapter outside the US. The purpose is to:
• give a voice.
• help disabled employees thrive.
• include people with disabilities from the start.
• ensure that disability inclusion becomes mainstream.

Our impact was such that our leadership team has allocated us a six figure annual budget to further our work for three years running.

I instigated us signing up to the Disability Confident Scheme in 2017 and got us to Leadership status two years later. Following this, I was invited to 10 Downing Street to present my views on bringing disabled talent into work.

Now, as Digital Inclusion Lead at Microsoft UK, I am empowered to utilise my creative neuro-minority thinking and passion for inclusion. I created the Digital Inclusion offering, helping organisations gain greater business advantage, and create a culture to empower everyone.

I received Microsoft’s highest Platinum Club award for my work in disability inclusion.

With the pandemic I found a different means to maintain impetus and got to being a top influencer on LinkedIn.