Maureen Dunne
Maureen Dunne wiki
Dr. Maureen Dunne is a cognitive scientist, neurodiversity expert, public policy professional, andbusiness leaderfocused on creating inclusive opportunities for neurodivergent individuals. She is the CEO of Autism Community Ventures, a social impact firm dedicated to advancing neurodiversity inclusion, where she leads initiatives thatpromote social,financial, andeconomic inclusionfor neurodivergent people. Dr. Dunne co-founded the Autism Angels Group, the first investment association focused on autism and neurodiversity, and serves as a neurodiversity advisor to theLEGOFoundation’s Play For All accelerator fund, supporting neurodivergent children through innovative programs.
Dr. Maureen Dunne was honoured with the Golden Apple Impact Award by the GoldenAppleFoundation. The award was presented during the annual signature event at the Four Seasons in Chicago on October 28, 2024.
Dr. Dunne is an accomplished author withWiley, where she wroteThe Neurodiversity Edge, a bestselling book that challenges traditional inclusion methods by proposing universal design principles that cater to neurodivergent talents. The book became a USA Today bestseller and received multiple accolades, including the Porchlight Business Book Award andAmazon’s#1 New Release in various categories. It has been recognised by various platforms, including Audible and the Society for Human Resource Management’s recommended reading lists.
Dr Maureen Dunne is an active speaker and consultant, advising organisations and government bodies on inclusive strategies and neurodiversity. Her work has been featured in media like Forbes, Harper's Bazaar 2024 At Work Summit, theNew York Times, London Tech Week, andMITSloan Management Review. She frequently speaks at high-profile events such as the National Science Foundation’s Community College Day, the Atlantic Festival’s Diversity & Inclusion session, and the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit, where she discusses neurodiversity’s role in modern workforces.
She is also an elected official in education advocacy. As the President of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) and a director on the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) board, Dr. Dunne promotes neurodiversity inclusion across educational institutions. Her efforts led to the ICCTA adopting the first-ever Neurodiversity Inclusion Statement in higher education, a step now influencing policy across other colleges.
She was also the Chair of the Board of Trustees at theCollege of DuPage,contributing to fiscal stability and governance, and has advised start-ups, nonprofits, and government programs on neurodiversity. She has also partnered with organisations likeSimon & Schusteron children’s books and withStanford Universityfor neurodiversity projects.
Dr. Dunne’s educational background includes a DPhil in Cognitive and Learning Sciences from the University of Oxford, where she was a Rhodes Scholar. She completed studies at Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She also holds degrees from the University of Chicago and the London School of Economics, solidifying her expertise in cognitive science, anthropology, and technology.
