Kate Thompson, MLIS is an advocate for neurodiversity and a seasoned speaker and coach. She empowers workplaces in supporting neurodivergent individuals, helping to embrace their strengths and navigate challenges.

As a member of the Iowa Olmstead Consumer Task Force, she worked to support full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life. Through the Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute, she advocated for policy change at the state and local level. She has assisted organizations in starting their own Accessibility Teams and surveying their users to provide the best service and environment.

A dynamic and enthusiastic presenter, Kate has shared her message of education and empathy with a variety of organizations, including the Public Library Association, Healthiest State Iowa, the University of Iowa, First Five Iowa, the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, the Iowa Society for Human Resource Management and more.

Through her firsthand experiences as a parent and her work with autistic individuals, Kate has gained invaluable insights into the unique strengths and challenges faced by neurodivergent employees. In addition to her advocacy for autistic individuals, Kate is open about her own neurodivergence. Living with ADHD has provided her with a nuanced understanding of cognitive diversity and the importance of embracing different ways of thinking and processing information.

Kate encourages businesses and managers to unlock the full potential of their neurodivergent employees, and to tailor their recruitment and onboarding processes to create an environment of belonging.