AI for Neurodivergent Brains: Everyday AI — Tools for Focus, Planning & Communication

Speaker: Andrea Rivera, a proud neurodivergent leader, CEO, North Texas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Founder, United Strategies Virtual Marketing

Overview:

This month’s Lunchtime Lecture is a joint event with the Greater North Texas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and we couldn’t be more excited.

AI isn’t just for techies—it can be a powerful ally for neurodivergent thinkers.

In this session, we’ll explore AI tools that support task management, scheduling, writing, and communication, often sticking points for neurodivergent professionals. Learn how to use AI to draft emails, organize your to-do list, manage your calendar, and break large tasks into manageable steps. We'll focus on tools that are accessible, easy to integrate, and designed to reduce cognitive load.

Cost: Free for CNDCC/GNTHCC Members  /  $35 for Non-Members.

*Zoom link will be shared with all registrants 48 hours prior to the event. Please mark your calendar.

Boulder & Broomfield Neurodiversity Mingle

Tuesday, September 9th | 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Hosted by We Rock the Spectrum - Denver NorthWest

Join Us for an Evening of Connections and Community Building!

Explore our Open House for Providers, where you can connect with local experts in ABA, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and special needs education—all in one place.

Enjoy:

• Food by Infinitus Pie Pizza

• Beverages including Wine

• A chance to meet new people, network, and unwind

Whether you're a young professional, seasoned leader, entrepreneur, or ally—you’re welcome here.

Accessibility Features: Earplugs are available for sensory comfort and a dedicated sensory area for those who need a quiet space.

Parking: Free Parking Available

Cost: $10 CNDCC Members / $20 Non-Members

We offer Neurodiversity 101 quarterly. This series covers the essentials of understanding neurodiversity, the importance of language, practical advice, and what businesses need to know about inclusive onboarding, hiring, and retention.

Presented by: Danny Combs, Co-Founder of Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce

Cost: Free to CNDCC Members / $35 for Non-Members

Join us via Zoom for this engaging series.

All remote events are recorded. By registering, you are agreeing to attend a recorded event.

NOTE: Once you register, CNDCC has your registrant information. Approximately a week before the event and in the days leading up to it, a CNDCC representative will contact you with details on joining the event remotely. If you have any questions, please feel free to email info@cndcc.org.

Accommodations vs. Universal Design: What’s the Difference?

Speaker: Kate Broeking, ThynkStack

Inclusion isn’t just about making exceptions—it’s about designing environments where everyone can thrive. This workshop unpacks the important differences between accommodations, which are often individualized and reactive, and universal design, which is proactive and inclusive by default.

Participants will explore how accommodations serve essential, immediate needs, while universal design builds systems, spaces, and practices that naturally support a wide range of abilities from the start. Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, we’ll examine how shifting toward a universal design mindset can reduce stigma, increase accessibility, and create better outcomes for neurodivergent individuals and the broader community.

Whether you're a business leader, educator, HR professional, or advocate, this session will leave you with a deeper understanding of how to build inclusive environments that work better—for everyone.

Cost: Free for CNDCC Members  /  $35 for Non-Members.

*Zoom link will be shared with all registrants 48 hours prior to the event. Please mark your calendar.

Join Our Colorado Neurodivergent Young Professionals Orientation!

You're not alone. Whether you’re job hunting, navigating your first role, or trying to stay organized—CNDCC’s Young Professionals Membership is here for YOU!

Get access to virtual training, in-person events, career tools, and a peer community that truly understands neurodivergent challenges and strengths. This membership level is designed for college students and young professionals aged 18-30. Annual membership is just $30.

Want to learn more?
Join our upcoming Young Professionals Orientation and find out how to get involved!

*Zoom link will be shared with all registrants 48 hours prior to the event. Please mark your calendar.

Convening STATE AGENCIES to unify services in Colorado.

Hybrid Meeting Option

Join us for our third Colorado Disability & Employment Collaborative, hosted by the Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce and the Colorado Office of Employment First!

Our continued efforts brought together almost double the previous attendees! The ability to discuss shared strengths and challenges across multiple agencies, to network with like-minded individuals, and to create a positive path forward for all makes us even more excited for our next gathering.

Here are a few goals from our previous group conversations:

• Gain consistency, become more proactive, and harness our statewide collective voice.

• Put a focus on training– from chambers to employers to employees

• Create a universal vocabulary across agencies

To keep the ball rolling and in celebration of Disability Pride Month, our next event will be held both in-person & virtually on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Thank you to our host TACT for providing us a space to collaborate.

Our Next Meeting Focus

Diving deeper into the biggest takeaways from our previous event:  

• Consistency

• Capacity

• Training

Bring your ideas, challenges, and solutions - and we will see you all at the end of July!

Cost: No Cost to Attend (CNDCC Membership Encouraged)

*Zoom link will be shared with all registrants 48 hours prior to the event. Please mark your calendar.

Thursday, July 24th | 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Hosted at the Neurodiversity Community Center – Lafayette, CO

Join us for a relaxed and welcoming evening to celebrate neurodivergent professionals, allies, and community members! The Summer Neurodiversity Mingle is your chance to connect, recharge, and build meaningful relationships in an inclusive, judgment-free space.

Come for the mocktails and charcuterie—stay for the sense of belonging and connection.

Enjoy:

• Craft mocktails, wine & beer

• Charcuterie and light bites

• Fun giveaway prizes

• A chance to meet new people, network, and unwind

Whether you're a young professional, seasoned leader, entrepreneur, or ally—you’re welcome here. Let’s celebrate community, authenticity, and neurodivergent brilliance together.

Accessibility Features: Earplugs are available for sensory comfort and a dedicated sensory room for those who need a quiet space.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

Parking: Free Parking Available

Cost: $10 CNDCC Members / $20 Non-Members

Neurodivergent Business Edge: A Growth Series for Entrepreneurs was created specifically for neurodivergent entrepreneurs who are ready to take their businesses to the next level. We understand the unique challenges that neurodivergent individuals face in the business world. These challenges, when addressed with the right resources and strategies, can be transformed into incredible strengths. That’s why we’ve developed this 5-week workshop series to provide the tools, support, and community that neurodivergent entrepreneurs need to thrive.

Part 1: Throughout 5 sessions, we help you build a strong foundation for success in your business or professional career. From understanding how to leverage your strengths to mastering time management and effective communication, this part focuses on essential skills that will empower you to confidently move forward and grow your business.

Session 5: Self-Advocacy, Burnout Prevention & Sustainable Growth

Presented by Kate Broeking

July 22, 2025

Creating systems to avoid burnout and promote long-term business success

• Recognizing the signs of burnout and strategies to prevent it

• Setting boundaries and defining the customer relationship

• Building a business model that allows for sustainable, long-term growth

Neurodivergent Business Edge: A Growth Series for Entrepreneurs was created specifically for neurodivergent entrepreneurs who are ready to take their businesses to the next level. We understand the unique challenges that neurodivergent individuals face in the business world. These challenges, when addressed with the right resources and strategies, can be transformed into incredible strengths. That’s why we’ve developed this 5-week workshop series to provide the tools, support, and community that neurodivergent entrepreneurs need to thrive.

Part 1: Throughout 5 sessions, we help you build a strong foundation for success in your business or professional career. From understanding how to leverage your strengths to mastering time management and effective communication, this part focuses on essential skills that will empower you to confidently move forward and grow your business.

Session 4: Financial & Business Management for Entrepreneurs

Presented by Amy Williams

July 15, 2025

Simplifying financial decisions, budgeting, and building business structures

• Understanding financial basics and how to make informed decisions

• Streamlining financial management for clarity and ease

• Building efficient business systems and structures for better operations

Optimizing Brain Health for Peak Performance: Boosting Focus and Productivity

Speaker: Dr. Sam Shay (Neurodivergent Entrepreneur)

This empowering workshop is designed to help neurodivergent professionals—and those who support them—better understand how to thrive in environments not always built with their strengths in mind. Dr. Sam Shay, known as the “NeuroDiverse Doc,” brings over 25 years of experience in nutrition, genetics, and functional lab testing to offer a fresh, science-backed approach to workplace wellness and neurodiversity.

As someone on the Spectrum himself, Dr. Sam provides practical, real-world strategies to help individuals boost focus, increase energy, reduce burnout, and thrive professionally.

In this session, you'll explore:

• Why being on the Spectrum can be a workplace superpower

• The “kryptonites” that often drain neurodivergent employees—and how to overcome them

• Advocacy and communication tools to express needs effectively and respectfully

• Three easy steps every person on the Spectrum can take to upgrade their work experience

• The Neuro-Harmony Method: an updated mind-body model tailored to neurodivergent individuals

Whether you’re navigating a neurotypical work culture or looking to support those who are, this session offers actionable insights for improving focus, productivity, and well-being through the lens of functional medicine.

Cost: Free for CNDCC Members  

*Zoom link will be shared with all registrants 48 hours prior to the event. Please mark your calendar.

Neurodivergent Business Edge: A Growth Series for Entrepreneurs was created specifically for neurodivergent entrepreneurs who are ready to take their businesses to the next level. We understand the unique challenges that neurodivergent individuals face in the business world. These challenges, when addressed with the right resources and strategies, can be transformed into incredible strengths. That’s why we’ve developed this 5-week workshop series to provide the tools, support, and community that neurodivergent entrepreneurs need to thrive.

Part 1: Throughout 5 sessions, we help you build a strong foundation for success in your business or professional career. From understanding how to leverage your strengths to mastering time management and effective communication, this part focuses on essential skills that will empower you to confidently move forward and grow your business.

Session 3: Executive Functioning & Productivity Hacks

Presented by Meghan Bonde

July 9, 2025

Tools and techniques to manage time, tasks, and energy effectively

• Explore tools and techniques to manage time, tasks, and energy more effectively

• Learn strategies to increase consistency and stay in your zone of genius

• Discover methods for breaking down tasks into manageable steps

• Understand how to align time management systems with your individual strengths

• Gain tools to overcome common executive functioning challenges in business

Neurodivergent Business Edge: A Growth Series for Entrepreneurs was created specifically for neurodivergent entrepreneurs who are ready to take their businesses to the next level. We understand the unique challenges that neurodivergent individuals face in the business world. These challenges, when addressed with the right resources and strategies, can be transformed into incredible strengths. That’s why we’ve developed this 5-week workshop series to provide the tools, support, and community that neurodivergent entrepreneurs need to thrive.

Part 1: Throughout 5 sessions, we help you build a strong foundation for success in your business or professional career. From understanding how to leverage your strengths to mastering time management and effective communication, this part focuses on essential skills that will empower you to confidently move forward and grow your business.

Session 2: Communication, Networking & Relationship Building

Presented by Tim Goldstein, Google

July 1, 2025

Developing strategies for effective communication and networking in business

• Tailoring communication methods to align with your intended audience

• Building and maintaining meaningful professional relationships

• Effective networking

Neurodivergent Business Edge: A Growth Series for Entrepreneurs was created specifically for neurodivergent entrepreneurs who are ready to take their businesses to the next level. We understand the unique challenges that neurodivergent individuals face in the business world. These challenges, when addressed with the right resources and strategies, can be transformed into incredible strengths. That’s why we’ve developed this 5-week workshop series to provide the tools, support, and community that neurodivergent entrepreneurs need to thrive.

Part 1: Throughout 5 sessions, we help you build a strong foundation for success in your business or professional career. From understanding how to leverage your strengths to mastering time management and effective communication, this part focuses on essential skills that will empower you to confidently move forward and grow your business.

Session 1: Strengths & Business Success

June 24, 2025

Recognizing your unique strengths and how to leverage them for business growth

• Understanding your strengths and how they can be business assets

• Exploring how your unique traits contribute to business success and identifying opportunities to grow even stronger.

• Building a mindset of strength and confidence to navigate challenges

• Learning how to build support systems that complement your strengths and set you up for success

Designing Spaces That Support You: Home + Work Organization for Neurodivergent Professionals

Speaker: Beth Blacker, It's Just Stuff (Neurodivergent Entrepreneur)

Your environment can either support your focus and well-being—or work against it. For neurodivergent professionals, traditional organization systems often miss the mark, leading to stress, distraction, and burnout. This interactive workshop is designed to help you reimagine your home and workspaces in ways that align with how your brain works.

We’ll explore practical, customizable strategies to reduce clutter, increase clarity, and create physical environments that help you thrive—whether you're working from a home office, shared workspace, or somewhere in between. You’ll walk away with tools, ideas, and confidence to design spaces that support your productivity, creativity, and peace of mind.

Join us via Zoom for this engaging series.

All remote events are recorded. By registering, you are agreeing to attend a recorded event.

NOTE: Once you register, CNDCC has your registrant information. *Zoom link will be shared with all registrants 48 hours prior to the event. Please mark your calendar.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email info@cndcc.org.

Neurodiversity 101 - What every business needs to know.
We offer Neurodiversity 101 quarterly. This series covers the essentials of understanding neurodiversity, the importance of language, practical advice, and what businesses need to know about inclusive onboarding, hiring, and retention.

Presented by: Tiffany Feingold, Guiding Bright Minds and Co-Founder of Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce

Cost: Free to CNDCC Members

Join us via Zoom for this engaging series.

All remote events are recorded. By registering, you are agreeing to attend a recorded event.

NOTE: Once you register, CNDCC has your registrant information. Approximately a week before the event and in the days leading up to it, a CNDCC representative will contact you with details on joining the event remotely. If you have any questions, please feel free to email info@cndcc.org.  

Boulder County Neurodiversity Mingle

Join us for the Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce’s first in-person networking event in Boulder County! The Boulder County Neurodiversity Mingle is a unique opportunity for business professionals, entrepreneurs, and advocates to connect, share ideas, and build meaningful relationships.

Event Highlights:

• A supportive environment designed for authentic networking.

• A 10-15 minute informational session, followed by open networking.

• Complimentary food and refreshments to enjoy while mingling.

  
  

Accessibility Features: Earplugs available for sensory comfort and a dedicated sensory room for those who need a quiet space.

Don’t miss this chance to engage with a vibrant community and explore new opportunities for collaboration and growth!

Parking: Free Parking Available in the Parking Garage and Blue Sport Stable Parking Lot. Street Parking is available for Two Hours off of Superior Drive. 

Cost: Free to attend
RSVP: Members, please indicate how many guests from your organization will be joining.

WHY INCLUSION IS SMART BUSINESS. Join us via Zoom!

Presenter: Lloyd Lewis, President & CEO of arc Thrift Stores 

(Business leader, CEO, national speaker, author, and father of a son with an intellectual and developmental disability)

Description: 

Discover how employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can drive higher revenue, faster sales growth, and increased profitability. Learn practical strategies to create a culture of inclusion through effective accommodations, supervision, and management. 

Perceptions:

• Hiring and managing people with IDD is expensive, complicated, and time consuming.

• Accommodations and resources are difficult to navigate.

• Disabled employees aren’t as efficient, capable, or valuable as typical employees.

Reality:

• Revenue of companies hiring disabled employees is 28% higher, economic profit margins are 30% higher, and net income is 111% higher than those companies that do not hire people with IDD.

• A study by Accenture of 140 U.S. companies confirms that disability inclusion increases business performance, specifically innovation, shareholder value, productivity, and market share (Accenture et al., 2018).

• According to employers participating in a recent study by Job Accommodation Network, a service from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, a high percentage (59%) of accommodations cost absolutely nothing to make, and if there is a charge, it is typically less than $500 per employee with a disability.

Lloyd Lewis has grown a $32 million dollar retail chain into a $120+ million social enterprise that is one of the largest employers of people with disabilities.

Cost: Free for CNDCC Members. Please RSVP Below / $35 for Non-Members

Join us via Zoom for our educational lecture series.

Kick Off the Year with Our First Neurodiversity Mingle, Hosted by SSA Group!

We’re thrilled to announce that our first networking mixer of the year will be hosted by SSA Group, a CNDCC Member that has been supporting zoos, museums, and other cultural attractions with unforgettable guest services, revenue-generating support, and lasting partnerships for over 50 years.

Join us for the Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce's Neurodiversity Mingle! This unique networking event is the perfect opportunity for business professionals to connect, share ideas, and build meaningful relationships.

Event Highlights:

• A welcoming environment to foster connections and conversations.

• A 10-15 minute informational session, followed by open networking.

• Complimentary food and refreshments to enjoy while mingling.

Don’t miss this chance to expand your network and engage with a vibrant and inclusive community. Whether you're a business professional, entrepreneur, or advocate for neurodiversity, this event is designed to inspire collaboration and growth.

Members: Please RSVP below and indicate how many guests from your member organization will be in attendance.

Cost: Members: $10 / Non Members: $45

Neurodiversity 101 - What every business needs to know.

We offer Neurodiversity 101 quarterly. This series covers the essentials of understanding neurodiversity, the importance of language, practical advice, and what businesses need to know about inclusive onboarding, hiring, and retention.

Presented by: Danny Combs, Co-Founder of CNDCC

Cost: Free to CNDCC Members / $35 for Non-Members

Join us via Zoom for this engaging series.

All remote events are recorded. By registering, you are agreeing to attend a recorded event.

NOTE: Once you register, CNDCC has your registrant information. Approximately a week before the event and in the days leading up to it, a CNDCC representative will contact you with details on joining the event remotely. If you have any questions, please feel free to email info@cndcc.org.

Join us for our Annual CNDCC Holiday Party and kick off the season with fun, laughter, and unforgettable connections! Enjoy delicious food, drinks, and a lively atmosphere as we celebrate the year’s successes and look ahead to an exciting future.

Entertainment provided by Dr. Sam Shay, Stand-up Comedian

Cost: Free for CNDCC Members / $40 for Non-Members

Location: CoBank National Headquarters at the Denver Tech Center

6340 S. Fiddlers Green Circle
Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Disability Inclusive Interviewing

Discover how to find the right employees for your business needs by implementing practical, accessible inclusive interview strategies . Learn what can and cannot be asked related to medical information and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), empowering you to conduct interviews with confidence. 

Below is specific content that will be discussed: 

·        Role-Centered Interviewing 

·        Understanding Pre-Conceived Notions 

·        Accessibility Consideration 

·        What Can and Can Not Be Asked 

·        Medical Information & the ADA 

Presenter: Vikki Ortiz, MS, CESP

Vikki Bio: Vikki is a Trainer and Curriculum Developer specializing in Supported Employment as well as the Communications Lead with the Colorado Office of Employment First (COEF). She is a Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) and a graduate of both the National Association of People Supporting Employment First’s (APSE) Emerging Leaders in Employment First professional development program and the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities’ Leadership Institute. She also serves as a Co-President of the Colorado Chapter of APSE.

Her educational background is in Human Development and Family Studies with an M.S. in Family Studies. Vikki has over 6 years of experience in this field and over 15 years of experience in management and training. She has been sought out to present nationally on Supported Employment and Employment First and to provide consultation and technical assistance to other organizations. Vikki has lived experience as a neurodiverse woman and has a vision for all people with disabilities to fully realize, pursue, and accomplish their employment goals.

Cost: Free for CNDCC Members / $35 for Non-Members

Join us via Zoom for our educational lecture series.

Organizing Strategies to Support a Neuroinclusive Workplace

This session will provide support for businesses in creating environments that support both their neurodivergent and neurotypical employees. We will develop an understanding of the impact of good (and poorly) organized environments for the individual and the business as a whole. We will review types of clutter/disorganization to provide ways to identify changes that could be made within your specific work environment.  Finally, we will cover specific steps to take to combat clutter and disorganization to create a work environment that reduces stress, increases productivity, and can even improve aesthetics, resulting in spaces that better meet the needs for all employees.

Led by Erin Gaskins, Room Redefined:

• Founder of Room Redefined Professional Organizing- a relationship-based organizing service that assists people in residential, commercial, and education-based settings to realize their organizational goals.

• Member of neurodivergent family

• 25-year Veteran of public education

• Advocate for the understanding and respect for the neurodivergent mind

Cost: Free for CNDCC Members / $35 for Non-Members

Join us via Zoom for our educational lecture series.

Join us for the Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting of CB Art Studio, Superior's newest art studio and gallery!

When: Friday, November 8th at 5:00 PM
Where: Superior Marketplace, 406 Center Drive, Unit C, Superior, Colorado 80027

We’re thrilled to celebrate Cora Bracho-Troconis and Steve Leeds as they open their creative space in Superior! After years of bringing engaging art events and workshops to our community, they now have a permanent studio and gallery to inspire and connect with art lovers of all ages.

CB Art Studio is excited to offer a variety of classes, including specialized classes for neurodivergent children, making art accessible to everyone!

Enjoy an evening filled with beautiful artwork from internationally renowned artist Karem Arrieta, live music, wine, and delicious hors d'oeuvres. Let’s come together to support and celebrate Superior’s vibrant art community!

This is a joint ribbon-cutting with the Superior Chamber – we hope to see you there!