Think Differently: Neurodiversity, Accessibility & the Future of Innovation
About this event
Explore how accessibility and diverse ways of thinking drive innovation, inclusion, and the future of work.
At Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship (WTE), we believe in building more than businesses — we build dialogue, community, and equity.
This April, in recognition of Neurodiversity Celebration Month, we’re hosting a special Advocacy Committee Engagement Session (ACES) — a facilitated discussion series created by the WTE Advocacy Committee to spotlight key observances and advance systems-level change. ACEs are part of WTE’s systems advocacy work, helping our 10,000+ members critically engage with issues of equity, representation, and opportunity through the lens of community-led dialogue.
This session expands the conversation beyond neurodiversity to explore accessibility more broadly—including physical, cognitive, and sensory experiences—and how designing for difference leads to stronger systems, better products, and more inclusive communities.
What You’ll Learn
This session is designed to expand perspective, challenge assumptions, and spark action. Together, we’ll explore:
• The history and significance of Neurodiversity Celebration Month—and its connection to broader accessibility movements
• The current landscape for individuals navigating cognitive, physical, and sensory differences in tech and entrepreneurship
• How accessibility and inclusive design unlock innovation—not limit it
• The strengths that come from different ways of thinking, moving, and experiencing the world
• Practical ways founders, leaders, and teams can design more inclusive environments and products
• How WTE members can advocate for systems that expand access, opportunity, and representation
This is not just about awareness—it’s about building systems that work better for more people. Different perspectives don’t slow innovation—they drive it. Join us to rethink how we build, lead, and design for the future.
Meet the Speakers
✨ Olivia Gallagher Founder & Director, GallagherEmpower365
Olivia Gallagher is an elite para athlete, marketing consultant, and founder of GallagherEmpower365, where she empowers individuals to live, work, and travel without limits. Through her work in accessible travel and entrepreneurship, Olivia advocates for environments that remove barriers and expand opportunity. Her perspective—shaped by high-performance athletics and lived experience—brings a powerful lens to conversations around accessibility, independence, and reimagining what’s possible.
✨ **WTE Advocacy Committee Chair | Dr. Sarah Matthews, Founder & CEO at Health Communications Consultants, Inc. **
Sarah Matthews is a scientist, entrepreneur, and award-winning public health leader whose firm serves global clients with a mission rooted in innovation, advocacy, and human-centered problem-solving. A former epidemiologist and current researcher in AI acceptance in public health, Sarah brings a unique systems perspective to business, technology, and equity. She is widely published and the recipient of multiple state and national honors for her leadership in health, tech, and policy. Sarah also serves as a Board Member on the Advocacy Committee at Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship, helping shape inclusive dialogue and drive systemic impact across the WTE community.
About Neurodiversity Celebration Month
Neurodiversity Celebration Month recognizes and honors the diverse ways people think, learn, and experience the world. It challenges outdated notions of “normal” and instead celebrates cognitive diversity as a powerful driver of creativity, innovation, and progress.
From entrepreneurship to technology to design, neurodivergent individuals have long been at the forefront of breakthrough thinking—often reshaping industries in ways that benefit us all. This month is an opportunity to move beyond awareness and toward building systems that are more inclusive by design.
About Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship (WTE)
Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship is a dues-free, member-led organization helping women across all industries start, scale, and lead in today’s economy. We provide educational programming, near-peer mentorship, and a thriving community of support for women building bold careers and businesses — on their own terms
