July Breakfast at PA College of Health Sciences

Title: Best Practices for Neurodiverse Hiring

Description:  Join us for a panel discussion on Best Practices for Neurodiverse Hiring!  Our panelists will elaborate on how small and large companies or small and large HR departments can enable a program for neurodiverse employees.  In addition, they’ll discuss the challenges companies may face in making a neurodiverse hiring program successful.  The key learning objectives include showing business value (reduced turnover, reduction in call outs, dedicated and loyal workforce, etc) to promote buy-in from company leadership and managers; ensuring that fears and objections are heard and addressed with open, honest closed-door conversations; and empowering employees through proper training, disability etiquette, and giving the opportunity to voice any concerns after the training is complete.

Speakers/Panelists: Craig Single, Linda Behmke, Dr. Kristin Austin, Janet Potts, and Suzanne Gleason

Credits: Approved for 1.0 SHRM credit and 1.0 HRCI General credit

About the Panelists:

Craig Single is the VP of Talent Analytics and Acquisition at SOCi, Inc., a marketing technology SaaS business.  Previously he served in a similar role at Xactly Corp and Vertex, Inc., a publicly traded SaaS company.  At Vertex he led the creation and launch of their Neurodiversity hiring program and helped for a regional non-profit, Neurodiversity Employment Network.  Prior to Vertex, Craig lead Talent Acquisition for a top 20 national public accounting and consulting firm.  Before his corporate career he worked in higher education and co-op services.  He also enjoyed being a part of a SaaS, at a Dot Com, as a sales leader.  He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Psychology. 

Linda Behmke is currently an Employee Experience Manager at Quest Diagnostics, and leads their disability inclusion Employee Business Network, DiverseAbilities.  Linda has been with Quest for 23 years in various HR roles over the years including Recruiting, HR Generalist, Project Manager, Corporate Engagement and HR Compliance Manager.  Throughout the years she has worked closely with Inclusion & Diversity helping to set up and oversea carious Employee Business Networks and handling related reports and surveys.  The DiverseAbilities EBN had a successful Autism-led hiring initiative for several years.  Linda has been a disability advocate since childhood. 

Dr. Kristin Austin is a lover of learning and unlearning.  Dr. Austin’s goal is to catalyze individuals and structures to question “Who is at the table?  Who is missing from the able? For whom was the table built? And who is unaware that the table exists?”  Dr. Austin has pursued answers to this question via 19+ years of administrative and faculty higher education roles domestically and internationally, as well as by leading organizations and teams through equity, inclusion, and belonging-oriented education.  Currently, Dr. Austin serves as Director of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access at Rewriting Code, Inc., a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to retaining undergraduate and graduate college women in technology majors to disrupt and dismantle racial and gender inequality in the technology sector.  Dr. Austin holds a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership & Administration, a Professional Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, A Master’s degree in Counseling, and a bachelor’s degree in Social Work.   

Janet Potts is a Sr. HR Business Partner for Suvoda, a global clinical trials technology company, and an HR Advisor for Weavers Way, a natural food Co-op in the Philly area. She is a passionate people strategist with a flair for blending human-centered decisions and legal best practices. In her 11+ years in HR, she has tackled all the People topics, from day-to-day processes to big picture strategies. She is especially passionate about the difference ‘good’ HR can make for the lives of employees.  

Suzanne Gleason is a dynamic talent acquisition leader with more than 15 years of industry experience. As Senior Vice President of Professional Services, she is responsible for business and talent development. Suzanne’s knowledge of human capital management, operational excellence, strategic agility, and change management led her to firstPRO. She is the recipient of the 2022 Founder’s Award, This prestigious award recognizes a past president of Greater Valley Forge Human Resource Association who has made outstanding leadership contributions to the chapter and the HR profession. In addition, she is a past winner of the Delaware Valley HR Consultant of the year award.