Beyond the Mask: The Neurodiversity Advantage

1 in 7 of us are neurodivergent. We live and work amongst neurotypicals. We mask our struggles in the workplace, and we ‘burn out’ in the privacy of our own homes.

Considering how crucial effective communication is in the workplace - to foster understanding, to improve teamwork, to increase productivity and job satisfaction – if we can better understand how to communicate with our neurodiverse colleagues, we can have a happier workforce, who can play to their strengths, and openly manage their difficulties. This goes for communication with neurodiverse clients too.

Join us for an evening of exploration as part of Leeds Digital Festival, hosted by Bruntwood SciTech and Hopton Analytics.

What to expect:

• A Masterclass with Michelle Holgeth, The Dyslexic Hub
• Speaker Carly Walter, founder of Magi and a neurodiverse entrepreneur
• Networking, drinks and nibbles

What You'll Learn:

• Recognise and respond to different neurodivergent communication styles
• Practical strategies to reduce workplace masking and prevent burnout
• How neurodiversity drives innovation and competitive advantage
• Create inclusive environments where all minds can thrive
• Transform understanding into actionable workplace changes

This event isn't just about inclusion, it's about recognising that diversity of thought is your competitive advantage.

More about your host and speakers:

Hopton Analytics

Hopton Analytics is a Leeds based data consultancy helping organisations like yours unlock the full potential of your data. We specialise in turning complex, unstructured, or siloed information into clear, actionable insights that drive smarter decisions and meaningful change.

Whether you're looking to optimise operations, measure impact, or build more inclusive strategies, we work closely with you to make data work for your goals. We deliver powerful solutions using Power BI for dynamic, real-time reporting and visual storytelling, and Pyramid Analytics for enterprise-grade analytics, governed data workflows, and advanced decision intelligence.

At Hopton Analytics, our team combines deep technical expertise with a human-centred approach to deliver solutions that are simple, intelligent, and impactful.

Michelle Holgeth, The Dyslexia Hub

My philosophy is very simple: we are all neurodiverse. Yet the world is designed around the concept ofbeing ‘standard’ and ‘neurotypical’. This philosophy is born out of my role as the mother of, the teacher of, and the assessor of children and adults who are neurodiverse. The square pegs trying to fit into round holes.

Dyslexia affects 1 in 10 of us; that’s 1 in 10 who think outside the box. Dyslexia is a gift, a talent, butone that can often remain undiscovered, overlooked and unappreciated. An unwrapped gift. Dyslexics thrive when they can use all their senses: seeing, hearing, doing (even smelling and tasting!). The more senses you use, the more permanent the learning.

Dyslexia is inextricably linked with other neurodiversities, including dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, ADHD and ASD. And they are all inextricably linked with low self-esteem, low self-confidence, and no self-belief. 40% of the population remain undiagnosed as being neurodiverse. In an office of 10 people, 4 of them are working extra hard to do tasks that their colleagues seem to do with ease. They are masking. They are exhausted.

As the dyslexic genius Einstein once said: “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

Carly Walter, Magi

Carly Walter is a specialist in women’s health and neurodivergent wellbeing, with more than 20 years’ experience in holistic therapy and a foundation in social psychology. She is the founder of MAGI, a pioneering AI wellbeing platform co-designed with neurodivergent women to support their mental, emotional, and hormonal health.

Her practice is informed by lived experience. ADHD, PMDD, chronic illness, and navigating systems that often fail to recognise complexity all shape her approach. Carly offers coaching, mentoring and strategic support through Wellbeing Reimagined, a space for women managing leadership, neurodivergence and life transitions.

Her mission is to embed lasting change in women’s health through inclusive research, evidence-led care and truly human-centred design. No one should be left behind in the pursuit of more accessible, responsive support.