David Flink

Business adviser, Business leader, Business mentor, Care taker, Change agent, Concerned citizen, Connector, Consultant, Educator/Teacher, Entrepreneur, Explorer, Foodie, Idea generator, Parent, Philanthropist, Social entrepreneur, World traveler, Writer/Editor

David Flink is a globally recognized social entrepreneur, author, and expert in the field of neurodiversity. He is the founder and CEO of The Neurodiversity Alliance, one of the country’s leading nonprofits dedicated to empowering students who learn and think differently. Under his leadership, the organization has grown over the past 25 years to reach more than one million individuals across more than 1,000 schools in over 30 states, transforming educational systems and cultural attitudes around learning differences. David is the author of Thinking Differently: An Inspiring Guide for Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities, and his forthcoming second book, 20% Smarter, will focus on the business case for neurodiversity, offering insights for employers and leaders on unlocking untapped talent. A dynamic public speaker and advisor, he has advised a wide range of Fortune 500 companies and philanthropic organizations, including Ares Management, Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, YPO, VMware, the Gates Foundation, New Profit, and the Ford Foundation. His advocacy and thought leadership have been recognized globally. David was named an Elevate Prize Winner, honored as a CNN Hero, and selected as a GQ Man of the Year. His work has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, PBS NewsHour, NPR, CBS News, and more. He is also a frequent guest lecturer at institutions such as Harvard University, Columbia University, and Brown University. A graduate of Brown University, Columbia University, and the recipient of numerous awards for leadership and social impact, David lives in San Francisco with his wife and two children. He continues to champion a world in which neurodiversity is recognized as a competitive strength, not a deficit.

I’m passionate about revealing the strengths and untapped potential that neurodiverse individuals bring to the world. I believe in the power of humanity, the magic of curiosity, and the extraordinary things that happen when communities come together. I love coffee, kindness, and the small daily rituals that make life joyful — and I bring that same care and attention to the work of helping people and organizations see the strengths in every mind.

A world that works for all minds is a world that sparks human potential.

Education, Leadership, Neurodiversity, Optimizing Human Potential, Speaking, Story Doula, Writing

I’ve spent my life noticing what others overlook: the hidden gifts in minds that think differently. My TED story is about sharing why embracing those differences makes everyone smarter, more creative, and more human.

Noticing what people don’t say. Leading popup exercise classes. Making a perfect latte.