Employment Panel 2: HAAPE - Building the 21st Century Workforce with Autistic Talent
Event Details:
Location
Building the 21st Century Workforce with Autistic Talent
Moderator: Cathy Farmer
Objectives:
1. Explore the HAAPE Workforce Ecosystem: Understand how the HAAPE Workforce Ecosystem creates meaningful and sustainable career pathways for autistic and neurodivergent individuals, while addressing employer workforce needs.
2. Identify Future-Ready Career Pathways: Learn about the emerging career fields and training opportunities that will prepare autistic individuals for the jobs of tomorrow, particularly in growth sectors such as manufacturing and technology.
3. Examine the Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Discover how AI is being integrated into career development and workplace practices to support autistic individuals, enhance accessibility, and increase employment opportunities.
4. Understand the Economics of Neurodiverse Employment: Gain insights into the financial and social impact of employing autistic individuals by examining Employer Return on Investment (EROI) and Social Return on Investment (SROI), highlighting the compelling case for businesses, communities, and individuals.
Larry Rothman, PhD, Chairman, HAAPE
Larry Rothman is the Chairman and CEO of HAAPE (Helping Autistic Adults Perform and Excel), a pioneering nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming employment opportunities for adults on the autism spectrum. Under Larry’s visionary leadership, HAAPE has become a national model for inclusive workforce development, building comprehensive systems and collaborative upskilling programs that connect neurodiverse individuals with sustainable, meaningful jobs. With over 30 years of executive experience in strategic consulting and nonprofit management, Larry offers extensive expertise in organizational transformation and social innovation. His leadership has helped HAAPE deliver scalable, systemic solutions that connect neurodiverse talent with the needs of an evolving job market. A passionate advocate for equity and inclusion, Larry regularly speaks at national conferences on the intersection of neurodiversity and the future of work. He also mentors emerging leaders and collaborates with global change-makers to amplify HAAPE’s impact. Larry earned his PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry and applies the same analytical precision and curiosity to champion human potential. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys traveling with family, playing tennis, and investing in initiatives that generate lasting social value.
Connie Alden, President and Board Member, HAAPE
Connie Alden is the President and member of the Board of Directors of Helping Autistic Adults Perform & Excel (HAAPE). She is committed to helping provide autistic adults with opportunities for meaningful and sustainable careers. Connie is an accomplished senior executive, business consultant, and board member with over 30 years of experience leading global human resources functions. She was the Chief HR Officer for Signature Flight Support as well as the senior HR leader in other diverse industries including manufacturing and digital publishing. She has a MS degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology and a BS degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida. She holds several Senior HR Certifications and is a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner. Connie is an Advisory Board Member for the Small Business Development Center at UCF (SBDC) and also a volunteer committee and board participant for the McCoy Federal Credit Union. Previously, she has served on a number of boards and including the Employers Association Forum, Inc. (EAF) and the Volusia Manufacturing Association (VMA).
Tara May, CEO, Aspiritech
Tara May is CEO of Aspiritech and an advocate for neurodiversity and employment. She is also co-chair of Neurowrx and sits on the Board of Directors for HAAPE and the Uniquely Abled Project. She spent 25 years in the corporate space in digital transformation for media companies. She is the mom of six teens and college students.
Andrew Begel, PhD, Associate Professor, Carnegie Mellon
Andrew Begel is an Associate Professor in the Software and Societal Systems Department at Carnegie Mellon University. Prior to this, he spent over 16 years as a Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research in Redmond, WA, USA. Andrew received his PhD in Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley in 2005. His goal is to create inclusive workplaces where all people can be successful, without discrimination, especially those with disabilities and the neurodivergent. His research uses AI and HCI to increase the accessibility of technology for those with physical and cognitive disabilities. His most recent work has been to study and help people on the autism spectrum obtain employment and facilitate social interaction, to help blind software developers collaborate with their sighted colleagues, and to use affective computing and biometrics (including eye tracking) to better understand how software developers do their work.