Executive Director

Laura Sibbald brings curiosity, strategy, and unwavering commitment to every space she leads, advancing neuroinclusion through the redesign of systems that impact daily life—from classrooms to boardrooms. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Neurodiversity Employment Network: Philadelphia (NENPHL), a regional organization strengthening access to meaningful employment through connection. Since stepping into this role, Laura has built on an already strong foundation—revitalizing infrastructure, empowering member committees, and sustaining inclusive momentum during a time when DEI efforts are increasingly under threat.

Laura’s professional experience bridges public education, higher education, and nonprofit leadership, with a consistent focus on systems-level inclusion. As an autism program supervisor in one of the largest school districts in the country, she led districtwide efforts to embed sustainable, neuroinclusive practices across dozens of schools—supporting staff development and shaping classroom implementation for hundreds of students. At Chestnut Hill College, she launched the institution’s first neurodiversity initiative, partnering with students and faculty to create more responsive, affirming frameworks for academic and social support. In both Pennsylvania and Maryland, she has collaborated with statewide and national speech-language pathology organizations to advance equity and cultural responsiveness within the profession.

Laura is also the founder of ND SLP Advocate LLC and a published author. Her publications include workbooks on trauma-informed, social-emotional learning strategies and book chapters on building inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming programs in higher education. She has presented to audiences nationally and internationally, and notably interviewed Dr. Temple Grandin for a global autism summit. A believer in community-based inclusion, she also volunteered for five years as a coach with Special Olympics Unified Sports in Maryland.

Now living in Glenside, PA, Laura shares her home with her husband, Mike, and their two lively cats, Alexa and Scottie. Whether building policy, mentoring professionals, or leading community events, her work is rooted in the belief that neurodivergent individuals should not only be supported—but recognized as leaders across every space they navigate.

 Connect with Laura now at laura@nenphl.org