Dr. Maureen Dunne is a globally renowned cognitive scientist, neurodiversity expert, global keynote speaker, and neurodistinct business leader and entrepreneur who has served as a senior adviser and lead trainer to some of the world’s top brands, Fortune 500 companies, educational institutions, philanthropic foundations, venture capital and investment funds. She approaches her work from the perspective of a trained professional who has also lived the experience. 

 

She is the author of "The Neurodiversity Edge: The Essential Guide to Embracing Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Differences for Any Organization." The Neurodiversity Edge made several bestseller lists and won or was shortlisted for 14 awards, including USA Today's National Bestselling Booklist, Goody's Best Business Book - Big Ideas, the Literary Titan Gold Book Award, Medalist at the Stevie Awards for Best Business Book, Top Five Finalist for Business Impact at the getAbstract International Book Awards, currently shortlisted for the UK Business Book Awards (BBA) and won the 2025 Gold Medalist for the Axiom Business Book Award for Independent Thought Leadership. 

 

As CEO of Autism Community Ventures and global head of the NODI: Neurodiversity + Opportunity drives Innovation initiative, she has worked with esteemed corporations, universities, and nonprofit organizations as a keynote speaker and lead trainer to help them become more neuroinclusive, including LEGO Foundation and LEGO Ecosystem, Alvarez & Marsal, Ballie Gifford, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Lexia Learning, 3M, AbbVIE, Harper College, Young Presidents Organization (YPO), Cornell University, CFA Society Initiatives, Oxy, Chiesi, University Health Network (UHN), NASA, United Nations, and Simon & Shulster, among many others, including countless corporate events and leadership retreats. 

 

A social impact entrepreneur at heart, Dr. Dunne co-founded the Autism Angels Group and the Neurodiverse Entrepreneur Program to establish critical support and opportunity pathways for neurodivergent/neurodistinct entrepreneurs. She also pioneered the Davos Neurodiversity Summit during the World Economic Forum as she saw a need for neuroinclusive leadership and business partners to come together to solve our greatest challenges.

 

Her work has been featured in prestigious outlets such as MIT Sloan Management Review, Fast Company, Bloomberg, Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Harper's Bazaar, Big Think, Radical Respect Podcast with NYT Bestselling author Kim Scott, Nasdaq, Washington Post, Inside Higher Ed, People Management, NPR, HR Magazine, and UNLEASH among many others. 

 

She received the 2024 Impact Award from the Golden Apple Foundation and the 2025 PBS Difference Makers Award, being featured on the PBS show "A World of Difference." She earned her doctorate from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.