Maureen Dunne

Maureen Dunne wiki

Dr. Maureen Dunne is a cognitive scientist, neurodiversity expert, public policy professional, and business leader focused 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 that promote social, financial, and economic inclusion for 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 the LEGO Foundation’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 Golden Apple Foundation. 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 with Wiley, where she wrote The 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 and Amazon’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, the New York Times, London Tech Week, and MIT Sloan 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 the College 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 like Simon & Schuster on children’s books and with Stanford University for 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.

Dr. Maureen Dunne early life and education

Dr. Maureen N. Dunne was born and raised in the United States and is recognised as a pioneering expert in neurodiversity, cognitive science, and inclusion. Throughout her life, she has achieved a notable record of leadership and impact across education, public policy, social entrepreneurship, and neurodiversity advocacy.

From an early age, Dr. Dunne displayed a strong interest in science and understanding human potential. After high school, she attended the College of DuPage, where she was part of the honours programme. She became the first Rhodes Scholar from a community college, an achievement that later inspired her to promote community college pathways. She then earned a joint BA/MA from the University of Chicago, focusing on cognitive sciences and further developing her expertise in psychology and learning differences. She later completed an MSc in Anthropology of Learning and Cognition from the London School of Economics.

Dr. Dunne went on to earn her Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Cognitive and Learning Sciences from the University of Oxford, where she was a Rhodes Scholar. At Oxford, she was actively involved in the New College Rowing Team, served as a faculty member for Oxbridge Academic Programs, and participated in the Rhodes Scholars’ Southern Africa Forum. After Oxford, she continued her studies as a postdoctoral fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, focusing on developmental neuroscience, fMRI, and cognitive science. During this time, she also earned a certificate in machine learning from MIT.

Dr. Maureen Dunne’s professional journey

Professionally, Dr. Dunne’s career has been marked by her focus on neurodiversity and social impact. In 1998, she founded Dr. Dunne Consulting and Associates, a consultancy specialising in neurodiversity training and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) frameworks for organisations. She went on to work with several nonprofits and served as Director of the Autism Program for Easterseals, where she implemented programmes for early intervention and parent training in rural communities. Her work involved collaborating with the autism community and policymakers, including renowned autism advocate Dr. Temple Grandin.

Dr. Dunne co-founded Learnsync.com in 2012, a for-profit social enterprise that used remote tutoring and health monitoring to support children with autism, adults with dementia, and at-risk youth. Learnsync.com developed technology solutions, including a proprietary synchronisation engine, to help people with learning challenges. She raised funds through social impact investors and led clinical trials for autism and cognitive health.

In 2015, Dr. Dunne founded Autism Community Ventures (ACV), a public benefit corporation aimed at creating economic opportunities for neurodivergent individuals. The organisation’s flagship programme, Gap2Gain (also known as the Transition2Success Project), has supported neurodivergent people in successfully transitioning through life stages with a proprietary wraparound support model. ACV has since launched the Inclusive Coding Academy and partnered with multiple organisations, including Fortune 500 companies, the Department of Rehabilitation, and the LEGO Foundation.

In 2020, Dr. Dunne co-founded the Autism Angels Group, the first investment association for social impact focusing on autism and neurodiversity. Autism Angels Group combines capital and talent to drive economic and technology-driven solutions for the autism community. Dr. Dunne continues to work with organisations, government bodies, and educational institutions on inclusion strategies for neurodivergent people.

Maureen Dunne LEGO

Throughout her career, Dr. Dunne has held various advisory roles. She served as a Senior Advisor to the LEGO Foundation, helping launch the $20 million Play For All accelerator, which supports innovation for neurodivergent children. She has also been a member of the organising committee for the annual Stanford Neurodiversity Summit since 2020, where she has moderated and delivered keynote addresses on neurodiversity and the future of work.

Dr. Dunne’s contributions to education advocacy are significant. She has served as President of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) and a National Board Director of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), advocating for neurodiversity inclusion and community college students. Under her leadership, the ICCTA adopted the first-ever Neurodiversity Inclusion Statement in higher education. Dr. Dunne was also Chair of the Board of Trustees at the College of DuPage, overseeing strategic decisions for one of the largest community colleges in the United States. She contributed to stabilising the college’s finances, which earned it a AAA bond credit rating from Moody’s.

Dr. Maureen Dunne’s publication

As an author, Dr. Dunne published The Neurodiversity Edge with Wiley in 2022, a book that challenges conventional approaches to neurodiversity in the workplace. The book presents a framework for integrating universal design principles to support neurodivergent talent. It has gained national and international recognition, becoming a USA Today and Amazon #1 bestseller, and was named a Porchlight Business Book Bestseller. The book has been featured in notable media outlets and reading lists, including Audible’s Editor Picks and SHRM’s recommended summer reads. Dr. Dunne has authored additional works and contributed to publications including Fast Company, MIT Sloan Management Review, and Nasdaq, focusing on neurodiversity in the workplace and the future of work trends.

In addition to her academic and advocacy roles, Dr. Dunne has held interim C-Suite executive positions in technology start-ups, advised investment committees, and worked with major publications as a contributor. She writes for platforms like MIT Sloan Management Review, Fast Company, and NASDAQ, discussing neurodiversity’s role in the future of work and its significance in modern workplaces.

Dr. Maureen Dunne’s Current Roles

Currently, Dr. Maureen Dunne continues her work as CEO of Autism Community Ventures, an advisor for the LEGO Foundation, and a board member of multiple organisations. She remains active in promoting neurodiversity in policy and industry, supporting initiatives that create employment and education opportunities for neurodivergent individuals. She is also an author with Wiley, contributing further to the conversation on neurodiversity through her writing. 

Dr. Maureen Dunne’s vision is to build a more inclusive society where neurodivergent individuals have equal access to education, employment, and economic opportunities. She aims to bridge the gap between organisations and untapped neurodiverse talent by promoting universal design principles that enable inclusive workplaces. Through Autism Community Ventures and her consulting work, Dr. Dunne focuses on empowering neurodivergent people to succeed in their careers and communities. She envisions a future where cognitive diversity is recognised as a critical asset in the workforce, driving innovation, creativity, and resilience across industries.

Dr. Maureen Dunne is a recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship. Her early achievements include being named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International and receiving the Kauffman Entrepreneur Fellowship. She was recognised as a Women 2.0 "Founder to Watch" and received the Allyn & Bacon Research Award. She also received the City of Chicago Outstanding Citizen Recognition for Public Service and a National Science Foundation Research Fellowship. Dr. Dunne also received the Pacesetter Award from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) and the Outstanding Alumni Award from the American Association of Community Colleges.

In 2024, Dr. Dunne received the Golden Apple Impact Award. She was the keynote speaker for the United Nations World Autism Awareness Day 2024, representing North America. Her work extended to events such as the Harper's Bazaar 2024 At Work Summit and London Tech Week.

Dr. Dunne’s book, The Neurodiversity Edge, was recognised as a USA Today bestseller and received nominations including the getAbstract International Book Award for Business Impact. It was listed as Amazon’s #1 New Release in several categories and selected by Audible as an Editor Pick.