Neurodiversity Keynote Speaker
Practical talks that help audiences understand neurodiversity, question outdated assumptions and connect the topic with everyday working life. Nat Hawley combines lived experience, an MSc in Applied Neuroscience, storytelling and workplace expertise. Talks are available for conferences, leadership events, awareness weeks, panels, town halls and internal programmes, online or in person.
Ideal For
Conferences, leadership teams, ERGs, awareness weeks and internal events
Formats
Keynote speeches, panels, fireside
chats, hosted Q&As (virtual or in
person)
Known For
Warmth, credibility, storytelling,
practical insight and strong audience connection
Why book Nat?
Nat Hawley is a UK-based neurodiversity keynote speaker, consultant and founder of Divergent Thinking. A TEDx speaker with an MSc in Applied Neuroscience, he is known for translating complex ideas into practical insight that leaders and organisations can actually use. His talks are designed to do more than inspire. They help people rethink what neurodiversity really means, why it matters and what more inclusive practice looks like in real life.
Nat brings warmth, clarity, and constructive challenge in equal measure. His talks engage audiences emotionally while delivering practical insight, a deeper understanding of neurodiversity, and clear actions people can take forward.
Nat speaks to senior leaders, managers, employees, educators, and mixed audiences across a wide range of sectors and levels of seniority.
What audiences can expect
Nat’s speaking style blends personal story, evidence-informed insight and practical relevance. Each talk is shaped around the audience and event, with clear ideas for people to reflect on or discuss afterwards.
Grounded in Lived Experience
Rooted in both personal experience and professional
expertise in neuroscience and inclusion.
Challenges Without Overwhelming
Designed to challenge myths and outdated assumptions in a way that lands well and sparks reflection.
Accessible for Mixed Audiences
Clear, engaging and designed to work across different levels of familiarity with the topic.
Practical Enough to Spark Action
Not just awareness. Audiences leave with something
genuinely useful they can apply immediately.
Each talk is designed to leave audiences with a clear idea to discuss, test or apply after the event.
From insight to workplace action
Nat Hawley combines lived experience with expertise in applied neuroscience and organisational practice to deliver talks that are both credible and relatable. His sessions connect emotionally while giving audiences practical insight, clearer understanding, and meaningful next steps that stay with people long after the event.
By linking neurodiversity to leadership, communication, wellbeing, retention, culture, and performance, Nat helps organisations understand its relevance across the workplace.
Popular Keynote Topics
Topics can be delivered as standalone keynotes or adapted into other formats. Typical talks include:
Why We Need Neurodiversity
Inspired by Nat's TEDx message, challenging narrow ideas of "normal" and inviting audiences to rethink inclusion, talent and human potential.
Beyond Awareness: Building Neuroinclusive Workplaces That Actually Work
A practical talk for organisations that want to move beyond good intentions and make inclusion more embedded, consistent and workable.
Neurodiversity as a competitive advantage
Designed for leadership, innovation and business audiences. Explores how cognitive diversity can contribute to problem-solving and creativity when people have the conditions and support to participate.
Inclusive Leadership for Neurodiverse Teams
A strong fit for leaders and managers who want to better support different working styles without reducing inclusion to policy alone.
Communication and the Double Empathy Problem at Work
Explores how misunderstanding is often mutual, how communication norms can exclude, and what more effective workplace communication can look like.
AI, Algorithms and Neurodiversity in the Future of Work
A future-facing keynote exploring how technology and workplace systems can either widen barriers or create better support, depending on how they are designed.
Neurodiversity in Recruitment and Progression
A practical session on how talent can be missed or blocked by narrow expectations, and what more inclusive recruitment and progression can look like.
What Audiences Often Leave With
Sessions are designed to shift perspective as well as inform, helping audiences feel more confident and better equipped.
Clearer Understanding
A work-relevant, accessible
understanding of neurodiversity and what it really means.
Greater empathy and insight
A better understanding of why experiences differ and how workplace context shapes barriers and support.
Practical Ideas
Concrete things they can apply
immediately, not just inspiration
that fades once the event is over.
More Confidence
More confidence talking about neurodiversity well, without fear of saying the wrong thing.
A shift in perspective
A more considered way to discuss difference, performance and potential without relying on stereotypes.
Who This Is Especially Relevant For
This service is especially useful for those planning events where neurodiversity, inclusion or leadership is a central theme.
Nat Hawley speaks at conferences and summits, leadership days and away days, awareness week events, town halls, internal events, and ERG or staff network sessions. He is well suited to internal teams and professionals, particularly HR, People, and DEI leaders who want a speaker who brings credibility, warmth, and practical relevance to inclusion-focused events.
He also works with the education and public sector, including universities, schools, local authorities, and NHS trusts, delivering accessible and engaging talks for both staff and leadership audiences.
Every Talk Can Be Tailored
Nat Hawley tailors each session to your sector and context, using relevant examples from corporate, education, nonprofit, or public sector environments. Talks are shaped for your audience—whether senior leaders, managers, mixed staff groups, or specialist teams—and aligned to your event theme, including conferences, awareness campaigns, or inclusion strategies. Each session is adapted in tone and format to balance warmth, challenge, and practical depth, while staying focused on your wider goals such as inclusion, leadership development, culture change, and engagement.
Trusted by Organisations Across Sectors
Nat has spoken for organisations across corporate, education, nonprofit and public sector settings, combining lived experience, neuroscience and practical workplace insight. Trusted by organisations including HSBC, Disney, Universal Music UK, Oxfordshire County Council, UCL, Sage, Kantar, Phoenix Group and more.
“Nat was one of our TEDx St Albans speakers in 2024 and his talk was inspiring and challenged everyone to think differently about neurodiversity and to embrace everyone’s differences. He delivered his talk with passion and had the audience absolutely gripped. Highly recommended!”
Wendy Powell, TEDx St Albans
Neurodiversity Keynote FAQs
What kinds of events do you speak at?
Conferences, leadership events, awareness weeks, town halls, panels and internal learning events.
Can the talk be tailored?
Yes. Topic, examples, tone and format are adapted to the audience, sector and event objectives.
Do you speak in person and virtually?
Yes. In-person, virtual and blended formats can be discussed.
What information do you need for a quote?
Audience, date, location or platform, preferred topic, timings and intended outcome.
Can we request speaker information?
Yes. Use the enquiry options below for availability, fees and speaker information.
Looking for a Speaker Who Can Connect, Challenge and Add Real Value?
If you are planning a conference, internal event, panel or awareness campaign, Nat would love to hear more. Whether you need a keynote, a practical talk or a tailored session linked to a wider inclusion goal, Divergent Thinking can help shape something that fits your audience, tone and objectives.