Gallery: Network Louth celebrate neurodiversity in the workplace

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The Mill Enterprise Centre was buzzing on International Women’s Day, Wednesday 8th March, when the members and guests of Network Louth gathered to celebrate the event and welcome two very interesting speakers who spoke on neurodiversity in the workplace.  Fiona Ferris is Deputy DEO of AsIAm, Ireland’s National Autism Charity and Roann Byrne is a start-up entrepreneur and food academic from Drogheda. 

The event was opened by President of Network Ireland Louth, Niamh Pentony, who thanked LEO Louth for their support of the event and ongoing support of Network Ireland Louth.  Niamh spoke about the need for greater awareness of neurodiversity in the workplace and for work environments to look at it in a more positive light.   

Fiona spoke about being diagnosed as autistic at 15, her experiences with school and then as an autistic person in the workforce.  She highlighted the barriers that autistic people face when trying to access education and employment.  In her role in AsIAM she delivers talks, both nationally and internationally, about autism, neurodiversity, and disability.  Her aim is to give practical, relatable, knowledge and strategies to assist others in supporting the autistic community, to meet their own individual potential and fully participate in their community. Fiona’s expertise covers a broad range of issues including Autism and Women, Neurodiversity, Disability Rights, Employment, Accessibility and Education.  Outside of work, Fiona is an artist and is also completing an Honours Degree in Law. 

Roann was diagnosed with ADHD in 2022 and she spoke of her experience at school and college, prior to her diagnosis and how she has been able to harness her strengths to help her excel in her field.  She founded a creative marketing agency - ‘Danu’ specialising in Irish culinary heritage to innovate modern business.  She is currently in a masters of Gastronomy and Food Studies, previous BSc in Baking and Pastry Management and a BA of Culinary Arts. She is passionate about women in Irish food, with her thesis being on the ‘Influence of Women 1950-2000 Dublin City on Irish Cuisine’ and working within a non-profit organisation, Mna i mBia.

Both Fiona and Roann spoke about the strengths of having an neurodiverse workforce and of the supports and accommodations that can be made to facilitate the different ways of thinking, processing information and realising potential. 

There was a great response from the audience and many shared stories of their own experience.  The evening certainly opened up a new conversation on how a neurodiverse work environment is the workplace of the future. 

Network Ireland Louth is a branch of Network Ireland, a Nationwide organisation supporting the professional, and personal, development of women.  It provides support, learning and networking opportunities for women in business and enterprise, throughout Ireland, through the branch network. 

Network Ireland is a non-profit, voluntary organisation, established in 1983 and now has 15 Branches Nationwide.   Membership is made up of a diverse group of women, from budding entrepreneurs to SME owners, professionals, and leaders in Indigenous and multinational organisations, the Public Sector, the Arts, non-profit organisations, and charities.