NEURODIVERSITY TRAINING THAT DRIVES BUSINESS PERFORMANCE
We founded Uptimize in 2016 to help employers attract, hire and retain talent from across the full human spectrum of thinking styles.
Our clients leverage our neurodiversity training solutions to build more inclusive, more effective, and more innovative teams – and drive maximum value from their human capital.
Our Vision
To change how the world thinks about neurodiversity
Our Ethos
Humans are neurodiverse – that is a biological fact. That means any organization, any team, any applicant pool is by definition neurodiverse. The people within it present, process information, communicate and problem-solve differently. Neurodiversity has thus always been part of our workplaces and our communities.
Our training is based on universal design as a result – what can we do that makes EVERYBODY more comfortable and productive. This should be complimented by person-centered, individual support, for people with any specific needs or challenges beyond those catered for through good universal design.
Key people
ED THOMPSON
CEO & FOUNDER
Ed Thompson is the CEO and founder of Uptimize – a unique corporate training platform that helps organizations attract, hire and retain talent that thinks differently. Uptimize works globally with organizations like Salesforce, JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte and IBM, building robust and impactful neurodiversity at work programs. Ed has also become a frequent speaker on the topic of neurodiversity in the workplace.
JOHN SAMUELSEN
OPERATIONS MANAGER
John brings a background in corporate strategy and finance to his role as operations manager at Uptimize. He has spent his career driving informed decisions for companies from startups to the Fortune 500 as both an employee and consultant. John holds both a bachelor’s degree in finance and MBA from the University of Colorado. Outside of the office he enjoys skiing, traveling and exploring the outdoors with his wife and two kids.
LAUREN HAWTHORNE
MARKETING MANAGER
Lauren is a digital marketing specialist and small business consultant with experience growing companies and start-ups in the environmental, oil and gas, health and wellness, and tech industries. Lauren holds an MBA and a Bachelor’s of Science in Business – Marketing. Lauren’s brother is on the autism spectrum, so she has a special interest in working with Uptimize as the Marketing Manager.
Our key advisors
NICK WALKER
SCHOLAR, SPEAKER & AUTHOR
Nick Walker is an autistic author, educator, speaker, and aikido teacher. He is a faculty member at Sofia University and California Institute of Integral Studies, senior instructor of the Aikido Shusekai dojo in Berkeley, California, and Managing Editor at the independent publishing house Autonomous Press. Nick has been an influential figure in shaping autistic community and culture since 2004, and is widely recognized as one of the leading thinkers on neurodiversity.
JACQUI WILMSHURST
WELLBEING & NEURODIVERSITY EXPERT
An applied psychologist, Jacqui has over two decades of experience in facilitating the development of more effective and resilient people, relationships and organisations. She has led, managed and collaborated on multi-stakeholder programmes, policies and interventions at all levels within organisations, as well as across diverse cultures internationally. Her primary focus now is organisational learning, wellbeing and development; especially resilience building, mental health and understanding and promoting neurodiversity.
TIM GOLDSTEIN
NEURODIVERSE COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST
Diagnosed with Asperger’s at 54, Denver-based Tim Goldstein is a “Neurodiverse Communications Specialist“ with a unique approach to helping leaders and employees better understand how coworkers who are on the autism spectrum function. Using his “Cloud Neurodiversity” idea, Tim explains the Spock-like logical approach of the techie. Tim has taught his concepts at Cornell and to professors at Stanford Medical. His book, Geeks Guide to Interviews: 15 Critical Items for the Technical Type, is available to those looking to better understand autism in the workplace.
CHRISTINE BARRETT
LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT COACH
Christine is an experienced, AoEC- qualified executive skills coach and founder of leadership development consultancy Velocity at Work. Christine leverages her 30 years business experience – much of it senior management – to provide commercial, results-oriented business coaching and mentoring. She focuses on leadership development.
MARCIE CIAMPI
AUTHOR & COMMUNITY ADVOCATE
Marcie is best known for her writings found in the well-received blog and book “Everyday Aspergers”. A professional educator, she has been featured in various literature, including peer-reviewed journals, Aspien Women, Autism Parenting Magazine, The Mighty, Project Aspie, Art & Autism, and Different Brains. Marcie serves as a Diversity and Inclusion Consultant at Spectrum Suite LLC and as Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Ultranauts, a software testing company noted for its recruitment and retention of neurodiverse staff. She is a coauthor of Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism and speaks globally on the topic of neurodiversity as it relates to employment and self-empowerment. To date she has corresponded with over 10,000 autistics around the world. She resides in Olympia, Washington, USA.
ÁINE MAHER
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION CONSULTANT
Áine is a Diversity and Inclusion Consultant specialising in Emotional Inclusion with a driving passion for the reduction of stigma around mental health and neurodiversity. Her career to date allows her to apply a holistic lens to neurodiversity, from working with children and families in a clinical setting focusing on behavioural neuropsychology, to experiencing the demands placed on HR teams during her time in the corporate world. While working in a global tech company she continued her education in neuroscience and was a leader in the employee resource group focusing on mental health, neurodiversity and physical disability. As a writer, speaker, facilitator and consultant, she draws on her professional, educational and personal experience to connect with her audience, using neuroscience to enhance the learning experience across diversity and inclusion topics.
