About the Neurodiversity Foundation
We empower neurodivergent individuals through research, advocacy, and inclusive programs that celebrate strengths and drive meaningful change.
Learn About the Neurodiversity Foundation
Emphasizing a STRENGTHS-FIRST Approach to Neurodivergence
What is the Neurodiversity Foundation?
The Neurodiversity Foundation promotes diverse perspectives for innovation and creativity. Our key objectives include empowering neurodivergent individuals, advocacy for awareness, and fostering inclusive environments.
Clinical Research and Diagnostic Criteria
Assessments and Understanding
Precision Medical Care and Behavioral Support
Workforce Development Programs
Precision Hyperleaning - Educational Advancements
Fostering Inclusive Environments
Executive Directors
Shawn Fry
Founder & Executive Director
Shawn Fry utilized his autistic "superpowers "as a healthcare executive, using data-driven strategies, and was recognized for his ability to solve complex problems with precision, resulting in the sale of his healthcare analytics firm, Prevalent, Inc., to private equity in 2019 to focus on neurodiversity.
Shawn was diagnosed with autism later in life while already working in healthcare leadership. Embracing this diagnosis became a turning point, allowing him to channel his natural perseverance, pattern recognition, and detail-driven approach to uncover keen new insights into autism. His psychiatrist and behavioral health department suggested he share the "lived experience" perspective to complement the clinical views that were predominantly observational, which did not connect personally with other neurodivergent individuals. This ultimately led to the Neurodiversity Foundation.
Sandi Drucker Wright
Social Impact Director
Sandi Drucker Wright, a neurodiversity advocate since advising Autism Speaks at its inception, champions inclusion while building high-impact partnerships across companies, individuals, and foundations. Sandi also has a personal relationship with neurodivergent members of her own family and is a thought leader in the "strengths first" position of Neurodiversity Foundation.
Sandi is also Director at Columbia’s Tamer Institute, and has 30 years of experience in business development and marketing. She is the founder of Bespoke Impact Advisors.
Sandi has experience and contacts in Fortune 500 companies, social enterprises, and innovative nonprofits and NGOs globally. She has previously held executive marketing and business development positions at leading fashion, e-commerce, and media brands.
Michelle Raz
Career Pathways Director
Michelle Raz, BCC, is a trailblazing leader in the neurodiversity movement. Featured in Forbes for her groundbreaking framework that bridges academic success and workforce readiness for neurodivergent individuals, she is the founder of Raz Coaching Services and its family of specialized coaching programs. Michelle is an author on workforce development, a trainer of coaches and educators, and a passionate advocate and speaker for the neurodivergent community. With over a decade of innovation, she continues to empower students, professionals, and organizations with actionable strategies that unlock potential and create lasting impact.
Since 2010, Michelle Raz has empowered neurodivergent individuals to overcome executive function challenges through Raz Coaching. Her high-accountability programs build lasting habits and routines, supporting academics, career development, and corporate training while helping clients thrive beyond therapy by cultivating strengths and achieving measurable, long-term success.
Clinical Directors
Karen Richardson, MD
Board Certified - Family Medicine
Dr. Richardson brings over 20 years of experience in private practice, blending family medicine, emergency medicine, and functional medicine. Her holistic approach emphasizes comprehensive, patient-centered care that addresses both immediate health needs and long-term wellness.
Jillian Pierucci, PhD
Developmental Psychologist
Jillian, a developmental psychologist and associate professor, advances neurodiverse communities through research on early intervention and service disparities.
Dr. Pierucci holds degrees from the University of Texas and the University of Alabama. She has worked in autism clinics, led pediatric screening projects, and developed parent-mediated interventions for autistic toddlers and caregivers.
Sharena Rice, PhD
Neuroscientist
Sharena Rice, PhD, is a systems neuroscientist, cybernetician, and storyteller known for her collaborative spirit. Diagnosed with autism at nine, she later studied biochemistry, philosophy, and psychology before researching synaptic plasticity and brain rhythms at the University of Michigan as a Rackham Merit and NIH fellow.
Clifton Thomas, MD
Board Certified Surgeon
A board-certified surgeon with expertise in bariatric and metabolic medicine, Dr. Thomas focuses on giving the body what it needs to heal and thrive. Beyond weight loss, his holistic approach addresses the full spectrum of metabolic conditions, helping patients restore balance and achieve long-term health.
Board of Directors
Jillian Pierucci, PhD
Developmental Psychologist
Jillian, a developmental psychologist and associate professor, advances neurodiverse communities through research on early intervention and service disparities. With degrees from UT and the University of Alabama, she has worked in autism clinics, led pediatric screening projects, and developed parent-mediated interventions for autistic toddlers and caregivers.
Sharena Rice, PhD
Neuroscientist
Sharena Rice, PhD, is a systems neuroscientist, cybernetician, and storyteller known for her collaborative spirit. Diagnosed with autism at nine, she later studied biochemistry, philosophy, and psychology before researching synaptic plasticity and brain rhythms at the University of Michigan as a Rackham Merit and NIH fellow.
Deana Bass Williams
Board Member
Deana Bass Williams, partner at Bass Public Affairs, blends public relations and government expertise to shape opinion and policy. With leadership roles in Congress and HUD, she has managed media for top political figures and advanced strategic alliances while serving in influential advisory and executive positions.
Leah Gambal
Board Member
Leah, an Emerson College graduate in Mass Communication and Television, brings extensive experience in communications, brand management, and content creation. She co-founded Access Dyslexia and contributed to Sesame Workshop, reflecting her commitment to education and inclusivity while advancing children’s media through impactful nonprofit and production work.
Meet Our Staff
Founder & CEO
Empowering Neurodiversity:
The Shawn Fry Story
Shawn became a successful executive and entrepreneur after being diagnosed with Asperger's at age 42. He found success in his professional career only after he was afforded the opportunity, as an executive in the healthcare industry, to exercise a great deal of autonomy in his role. Shawn's propensity for detail, hard questions and divergent solutions produced millions of dollars in both new revenue opportunity and cost-savings for his employer.
His innovative approach to the complexity of healthcare data laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial company, Prevalent Health, where he left corporate America behind, hired nearly 150 employees and created his own "neurodiverse workplace culture".
Shawn found that by cultivating an environment dependent upon open, honest, dialogue, clear communication, and vulnerability, the workplace culture was more supportive and accommodating of everyone's needs.
People were happier, more productive, and turnover rates were 0 after nearly 15 years. Shawn sold his company to private equity in 2019 and has dedicated his life since then to embracing neurodiversity and the powers it unlocks, through thought leadership, personal security, and self-esteem in one's uniqueness.
Shawn founded the Neurodiversity Foundation in 2016 in hopes of removing barriers and changing the narrative around neurodivergence in all professional fields and social environments. Shawn aims to drastically improve quality-of-life for neurodivergent individuals through the Neurodiversity Foundation's goals to facilitate self-efficacy, acceptance, connection, and strengthen our communities and workforce.
Senior Advisor, Neurodiversity Foundation
Sandi Drucker Wright
Sandi Drucker Wright is Founder of Bespoke Impact Advisors, a social impact advisory firm that works with companies, individuals, and foundations. She is also Director of the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change at Columbia Business School where she has been part of the senior leadership team for more than 15 years. Sandi has nearly 30 years of experience in business development and marketing across different sectors, with an underlying passion for finding connections and creating high-impact partnerships.
At Columbia Business School, Sandi built and managed the Nonprofit Board Leadership Program, a highly successful experiential learning program in its 18th year that trains MBA students to play effective roles as members of nonprofit boards upon graduation. In addition, Sandi works closely with alumni and students who are interested in social entrepreneurship as well as in engaging with the New York City nonprofit community. She is co-host of the podcast, MoreMPE.
Her commitment to neurodiversity advocacy began during her time advising Autism Speaks at its inception, working alongside its founders, Bob and Suzanne Wright. Over time, Sandi became a dedicated advocate for neurodiverse individuals, championing their inclusion and highlighting their unique strengths.
Sandi holds a BA with honors in Education from Colgate University and a MA from Teachers College, Columbia University in Education and Technology.
Empowering Neurodiversity through Research
Sharena Rice
Sharena Rice, PhD, is a systems neuroscientist, cybernetician, and storyteller. Her positively contagious personality and perspective on life make her a highly sought-after partner and collaborator.
Diagnosed with autism at 9 years old, Dr. Rice wrote a 45-page documentary on human behavior in middle school and volunteered in the emergency room and medical/surgical unit of the Simi Valley Hospital in high school.
As an undergraduate, Dr. Rice studied biochemistry, philosophy, and psychology. She then moved to the University of Michigan, where she researched synaptic plasticity in cell cultures as a post-baccalaureate (NIH R25) and brain rhythms and neural circuits as a graduate student (Rackham Merit Fellow, NIH T32 recipient in Hearing Balance, and Chemical Senses, and Alternates List, NDSEG Fellowship).
Director of Operations, Neurodiversity Foundation
Barbra Fitzgerald
Sandi Drucker Wright is Founder of Bespoke Impact Advisors, a social impact advisory firm that works with companies, individuals, and foundations. She is also Director of the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change at Columbia Business School where she has been part of the senior leadership team for more than 15 years. Sandi has nearly 30 years of experience in business development and marketing across different sectors, with an underlying passion for finding connections and creating high-impact partnerships.
At Columbia Business School, Sandi built and managed the Nonprofit Board Leadership Program, a highly successful experiential learning program in its 18th year that trains MBA students to play effective roles as members of nonprofit boards upon graduation. In addition, Sandi works closely with alumni and students who are interested in social entrepreneurship as well as in engaging with the New York City nonprofit community. She is co-host of the podcast, MoreMPE.
Her commitment to neurodiversity advocacy began during her time advising Autism Speaks at its inception, working alongside its founders, Bob and Suzanne Wright. Over time, Sandi became a dedicated advocate for neurodiverse individuals, championing their inclusion and highlighting their unique strengths.
Sandi holds a BA with honors in Education from Colgate University and a MA from Teachers College, Columbia University in Education and Technology.
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Whether you have questions, need assistance, or want to get involved, the Neurodiversity Foundation is committed to providing the resources and support you need.
Neurodiversity Foundation promotes diverse perspectives for innovation and creativity. Our key objectives include empowering neurodivergent individuals, fostering inclusive environments, and advocating for a strengths-first culture around neurodiversity.
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15002 Lakefair Drive
Suite 103
Richmond, Texas 77406
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