Breaking Ground: Meet Joshin’s New Advisory Council

Happy Disability Pride Month! This year, as in past years, I'm profoundly moved by the growing visibility and recognition from both individuals and organizations. This month serves as a year-long reminder of the continuous role we all play in advancing equity and breaking down stigmas for disability in the workplace and our communities. Our work is never done.?

In this spirit, I'm thrilled to announce an exciting, new chapter for Joshin .

Today, we're launching our first Advisory Council, bringing together a cohort of distinguished experts from healthcare, benefits, ESG, accessibility, policy, clinical, and employment sectors.

Joshin's priority in forming this council was to create a platform for diverse perspectives to collaborate and drive our work forward. Given that 53% of Joshin's members identify as disabled or neurodivergent, 87% of our Joshin team, we've ensured that our Advisory Council reflects this diversity, and in fact, 70% of the Council members are disabled or neurodivergent themselves.?

Advocates in Action

I’d like to take a moment to introduce some of our dedicated Advisory Council members. Each has made significant contributions in their field and brings valuable expertise. These members embody our commitment to authentic representation and strengthen our mission. They will help us advocate for the communities we serve as we continue to grow our reach and impact.

Our Advisory Council includes:

• Emily Brockett (she/her) is the Benefits Senior Manager at Hearst, where she develops and implements comprehensive benefits strategies and manages vendor relationships, drawing from her background in absence, benefits consulting, and disability spaces.?
• Denise B. (she/her) is a senior contributor for Forbes and Healthcentral, focusing on mental health, chronic illness, and neurodiversity, and the founder of Rebel Talent , a firm specializing in content creation and research on learning disabilities and mental health.
• Isabel F. (she/they) is an ESG team member at Hearst, managing the Neurodiversity@Hearst program and working to integrate cognitive diversity into DEI initiatives. Isabel also focuses on web accessibility, sustainability management, and ESG reporting.
• Jimi Gilroy (he/him) is the Accessibility Program Manager at Dropbox and co-leader of the company's enABLE employee resource group, dedicated to promoting accessibility for all through technology.
• Grant Harris, MBA, Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)? (he/him) is a Certified Diversity Executive, consultant, speaker, podcast host, corporate board member, and autistic author who writes on workplace culture topics.
• Michael Kutcher (he/him) is a motivational speaker and board member who advocates for cerebral palsy awareness, disability rights, and organ donation.
• Emily Hanson (she/her) is a digital health expert working in early-stage venture capital to identify and accelerate leading emerging technology companies through mutually-beneficial relationships across her vast network of market leaders.?
• Melanie Moriarty (she/her) is the HR Rewards Senior Director at Best Buy. She leverages her multi-unit, international, and service delivery HR experience to champion people-centered initiatives in time away, well-being, recognition, and care programs.
• Tracy Powell-Rudy M.S. (she/her) is the Vice President of Corporate Engagement at Integrate Autism Employment Advisors, a nonprofit dedicated to helping organizations become neuro-inclusive employers.
• Mary Volgman (she/her) is the founder of The Healing Space, specializing in mental health care across all ages, trauma-informed care, Autism Spectrum Disorder, LGBTQ+ issues, and psychological assessment.

Our Collective Power

The Advisory Council will focus on several key areas, including:

1. Strategic Guidance: Providing insights and recommendations on Joshin’s product development, service offerings, and strategic initiatives.
2. Research and Education: Supporting research initiatives that advance understanding of disability and neurodivergence, as well as promoting educational programs that advance inclusion.
3. Maximizing Value for One Another: Fostering a collaborative environment where council members can share knowledge, resources, and support to drive impact and collective progress personally and professionally.

On behalf of the team at Joshin, we are incredibly honored to have such a stellar group of leaders readily accept Joshin’s invitation into our Advisory Council. Their insights, expertise, and lived experiences will be invaluable as we continue to innovate, combat stigmas, and address unmet needs. At Joshin, we believe that true progress is only possible when everyone has an equal opportunity at the same table. We are so grateful for their commitment, and to all of you for being part of this journey.

Image Description: Collage image of workplace diversity and inclusion. Background features architectural blueprints with silhouettes of people working. Foreground includes photos of a man using a wheelchair and assistive tech, a woman speaking into a microphone, a diverse group in a meeting, and a man painting a mural. The 'Joshin' logo in upper right corner