Create a career on your terms by empowering your neurodivergence

Reframe your differences as superpowers

Work smarter, not harder

Belong without having to “fit in”

I’m looking for 12 neurodivergent women who are ready to work with me and each other for 12 weeks to transform their professional life into something they can enjoy for many more years to come.

Joey sitting on her couch with a cup of herbal tea

Traditional career paths weren’t designed for neurodivergent women

Incredible female talent is disadvantaged by their differences.

For the most part, without even knowing it.

A shocking 80% of neurodivergent women are not diagnosed before the age of 18.

A late diagnosis brings up complex layers of emotions and identities need to be redefined, all the while, trying to maintain a successful career.

An atypical woman in a typical workplace is made to feel like a square peg always trying to fit into a round hole.

People either under-estimated her or, worse, seemed intimidated by her. She gets used to overwhelming feelings of being weird, awkward, lonely and isolated, anxious, frustrated and angry.

She’s always wondering: why don’t I belong, aren’t I worthy?

How do I know all this?

I am a late diagnosed neurodivergent woman.

I spent my 20 year career wondering why does everything have to be so hard when I have so much good to give?

In 2023 I left my big job and my old identity behind to package up all the hacks I used to be “successful” (plus a whole lot more I wish I had known) into a neuro-affirming professional development experience specifically for neurodivergent women.

Your future starts now.

Empowered program logo

A world first professional development program designed specifically by atypical women for atypical women

Sassy young girl standing in front of FOR WOMEN painted on brick wall
Hands meeting through glass

This program is for you if...

I believe you can belong without fitting in

Empowered is an autistic-led, neuro-affirming and strengths-based approach to empower you to:

Be

Explore and define what it means to be your unique, amazing and neurodivergent self in a professional setting.

Your

Learn to better manage your energy to prevent (or recover) from burnout and avoid making career limiting mistakes at work.

Unique

Become your own anthropologist so that you can fit in without having to "fit in" and save compromising your personality and your values.

Self

Develop practical skills and strategies to work smarter, not harder, so that you don't need to work those crazy long hours.

By the end of the program you will have...

Chart your unique path

Bite-sized learning

Engage with concise, evidence-based lessons. Each captivating module is less than 30 minutes, split into quick 5-7 minute segments. Perfect for easily-distracted minds!

Inspiring conversations

Gain insights from intimate discussions with other members and accomplished neurodivergent women. Discover their personal journey, strategies, and success in overcoming work-related obstacles.

Practical empowerment

With our self-evaluation tools and tailored templates, become the architect of your own transformation and thrive in your professional life.

Results you can expect

Reframe your differences as superpowers

Work smarter, not harder

Belong without having to “fit in”

Spend considerably less time and energy masking or camouflaging around others at work

Have more energy to bring your most creative, insightful and productive self to work

Feel more efficient and effective in the way you work to save time and deliver better quality outcomes

Increase your satisfaction with what you set out to achieve each day and improve your career prospects

Be more confident to authentically support and lead yourself and others at work

Leave a positive legacy for the unique and amazing neurodivergent women who follow

What's included in

Cottage depicting wealth of opportunity

Coursework

Six signature handcrafted, easy-to-follow modules, each designed to address unique challenges faced by atypical women at work

Signpost

Coaching

Group coaching with small cohorts enabling members to safely share and support one another with 1:1 coaching available by request

Sheep painted bright pink!

Community

An all in one community platform for all content, course work and member engagement that takes this program to the next level

How the program works

Empowered is a unique program for unique women that delivers self-acceptance, self-management and self-advocacy outcomes that lead to professional success

Six online evidence-based modules made up of 24 lessons, meditation practices, inspiring interviews or talks and bonus resources that are available when you are.

Live weekly group coaching calls that provide accountability, peer support, specialist guest speakers and plenty of time for open Q&A .

Guided and practical and learning that is supported with actionable worksheets and templates that enable incremental change and growth.

Access to a private and secure online digital platform to discuss specific topics and source previous modules, worksheets and recordings.

The option to upgrade to include 1:1 coaching sessions to deep dive into individual challenges and develop plans to optimise opportunities.

A personalised evaluation report, designed by PhD qualified psychologist specialising in neurodivergence, to measure the impact that the program has had.

And, with a money back guarantee this program is a low risk investment in your future

Enrol now!

For individuals

Payment plan available at checkout

Your program investment is even tax deductible!

June Cohort Open

$1997

For organisations

Use your End of Financial Year funds to sponsor your staff

Panel procurement is available for Commonwealth Government

Contact Joey 

Key Dates

Registration opens 3 May 2024

Registration closes 27 May 2024

Onboarding starts 31 May 2024

Program calls start (pick preferred time)

Tuesday 4 June 2024
8am (AEDT) | 5pm (CDT)
12 noon (AEDT)
5pm (AEDT) | 8am (BST)

Program calls end 20 August 2024 

Lifetime access to coursework

The journey we go on

Coaching

Lean into the collective wisdom

Group coaching with small cohorts enables members to safely share and support one another with 1:1 coaching available by request.

Diverse Perspectives: Gain insights and feedback from others’ experiences to build your personal toolkit for professional success.

Encouragement: Draw inspiration from the group’s collective energy and commitment to supporting one another to succeed.

Accountability: Sharing your pain points and progress with others will support you to stay on track with your goals.

Option to upgrade to 1:1: Private and personalised coaching in collaboration with Joey is also available.

Community

Find connection and collaboration

An all in one community platform for all content, course work and member engagement that takes this program to the next level.

Real time anytime access: All your resources in one place for you to learn and connect when the time is right for you. On the bus, at midnight when you can’t sleep, at work during your lunch break.

Collaborate with peers: Join general and topic-specific discussions or direct message with other members to enrich your learning and transformation journey.

Expand your network: Choose to share your professional profile and discover others to build relationships with. Help one another to succeed professionally.

Artistic doors depicting opportunity ahead

Highlights of our Explore module

Define what makes you uniquely you

  • Learn about the different types of neurodivergence and how they often co-exist together and correlate with auto-immune and mental health challenges
  • Better understand what is uniquely you versus what are your coping mechanisms you’ve adopted
  • Craft a concise description of who you are, how you think, feel and behave so that you can have more meaningful conversations with family, friends and colleagues
Artistic doors depicting opportunity ahead

Highlights of our Energy module

Overcome and avoid burnout

  • Learn about energy and what makes it go up and down
  • Explore and define your own energy cycles so that you can better align work to time
  • Identify and implement strategies that optimise energy, positive emotions and engagement with work
  • Craft a concise description of reasonable adjustments that you can share with your leader and colleagues to help them help you to be your best
Artistic doors depicting opportunity ahead

Highlights of our Environment module

Optimise where and how you work

  • Understand how the physical environment affects your productivity and wellbeing
  • Identify the ideal physical environment/s for you to perform as effectively as possible while still meeting the needs of your employer
  • Develop a plan for implementing changes to your physical environments, including a business case (if necessary) for securing your leader’s support

Highlights of our Effectiveness module

Get things done

  • Learn about Getting Things Done®, a personal productivity methodology that redefines how you approach your life and work
  • Understand tools and techniques for capturing, clarifying, organising, reflecting and engaging in tasks
  • Implement a wide range of strategies and hacks that make you more productive everyday
Artistic doors depicting opportunity ahead

Highlights of our Etiquette module

Belong without having to ‘fit in’

  • Learn about social aspects of the workplace and how to recognise what is really necessary to engage in
  • Set yourself some social boundaries so that you fit in without losing yourself
  • Learn how to better manage workplace conflict and difficult scenarios
Artistic doors depicting opportunity ahead

Highlights of our Embrace module

Own your authentic career

  • Overcoming societal and cultural expectations to embrace your true self in the most authentic way
  • Celebrate your personality type and superpowers 
  • Find your true purpose and align your professional and personal life to this
  • Celebrate belonging to a community of brave, intelligent and compassionate women
hi there, I'm joey

Your coach

For 20 years, I worked at an executive level in a wide range of organisations all around the world.
  • Formally qualified in business, communications and executive leadership
  • A seasoned management consultant with the Big Four
  • Former commercial diplomat in Washington DC

I built an enviable LinkedIn Profile and reached the lofty heights of Qantas Platinum Frequent Flyer!

But, my success had came from profound masking and camouflaging that led to a lifestyle of micro burnouts and a couple of macro burnouts.

The upside is that throughout my career I have coached dozens of CEOs, leaders and managers to improve their productivity, find purpose at work and go for and get those promotions.

Now I am bringing that knowledge and toolkit to our community so that our talents are leveraged at work.

I established Grit n Grace Collective as a place where I could belong without having to fit in, and you can too.

maybe you resonate with my story?
Throughout my career, I got up, dressed up and showed up as the typical workplace expects.
  • I got up when all I could do was sleep
  • I dressed up in the corporate outfits that made me look like a man and made it difficult to breathe
  • I showed up and took the “opportunities” to work longer and harder, give the presentations, take on the big roles

But I knew I could never bring my whole self to work; and I didn’t want to either. There were standards, expectations and narrow guardrails. To be ‘successful’ I needed to mask and camouflage most of the time.

I arrived at my mid 40s feeling confused, anxious, angry and then completely exhausted.

Turned out I had autistic burnout which led to chronic exhaustion, a loss of skills, reduced tolerance to stimulus and a loss of self-belief.

My mission is to embrace my authentic self and unique superpowers to continue to succeed professionally, but on my own terms, and help others to do so too.
Joey with dozens of trade show lanyards hanging around her neck
Headshot of Joey looking serious!
my autism experience

I think, feel and act differently

I see things in a way that others can’t. I create order out of chaos, whether it is information, plans or pantries. I think logically and incredibly literally. And I Get Things Done.

I’m big picture and detail-oriented at the same time. For the right topic, I can hyperfocus and fixate until the sun goes down. I make up my own words and can be quite entertaining. And I can have childlike enthusiasm that doesn’t always sit well in a business setting.

I can miss the social cues at work and appear aloof or aggressive. Or, I try so hard to be liked that I can come off inauthentic. I fight too many fights, seeing inefficiency or injustice everywhere.

I ask lots of questions and can interrupt inappropriately. I fidget, squirm, pick and scratch. And I bump into things, a lot.

I’m not always confident in my own abilities but I love helping others to see and achieve their unique potential.

my commitment to you

This is your journey, not mine

I can share my own experiences, strategies and advice.

I can hold you accountable to be the courageous human you are.

I can see your potential and show that to you.

I can provide a platform for you to meet other neurodivergent women who can share and support one another.

I can be available for personal support.

And I guarantee that this will always be your journey.

join me
Empowered program logo
Sassy young girl standing in front of FOR WOMEN painted on brick wall

Enrol now!

For individuals

Payment plan available at checkout

Your program investment is even tax deductible!

June Cohort Open

$1997

For organisations

Use your End of Financial Year funds to sponsor your staff

Panel procurement is available for Commonwealth Government

Contact Joey 

Key Dates

Registration opens 3 May 2024

Registration closes 27 May 2024

Onboarding starts 31 May 2024

Program calls start (pick preferred time)

Tuesday 4 June 2024
8am (AEDT) | 5pm (CDT)
12 noon (AEDT)
5pm (AEDT) | 8am (BST)

Program calls end 20 August 2024 

Lifetime access to coursework

Frequently Asked Questions

With any investment in your professional development, it is natural to have some questions. Here are just a few, but please feel free to book an informal chat to ensure this is the right program for you.

No. From my experience, the diagnosis path is a daunting, comprehensive and expensive process. It is not necessary to be clinically diagnosed to self identify or self diagnose as neurodivergent. You are welcome to join this program if you experience the challenges of fitting into a typical work environment yet you still want to achieve in your professional life.

The content of the Empowered! program has been developed in a neuro-affirming way and does not specify specific strategies for specific forms of neurodivergence. You will find the program to be a comprehensive suite of strategies, tips, tricks and techniques that apply to anyone who experiences marginalisation at work. We welcome your participation! 

Members who join Grit n Grace Collective are all people just like you – they are different! Cohorts will be limited to 12 members to ensure that quality connections can be made. The group coaching calls will be hosted by Joey and offer a safe, yet structured, environment in which to enhance your professional development. Guiding principles will ensure that members engage appropriately and supportively. Members will not be obligated to share their video on calls and contributions to the discussion will be welcome in both verbal and written format. Our all in one platform offers asynchronous access to participate in group discussions or direct messaging. Groups, with their diverse perspectives, are a wonderful way to enhance your learning.

The timing of calls depends on the timezone of participants. Typically, they will be either 8am or 5pm AEDT.

This group program is specifically designed for women. Joey offers  Empowered! Private which  mirrors much of our signature program. It includes the same online self-paced coursework, access to the community platform for additional resources and discussion and six 1:1 coaching sessions over 12 weeks. Enrol here.

Yes. Additional coaching sessions with Joey are available for you to explore and develop in a private and personalised format. Or, choose to participate in Empowered! Private which replaces the 12 group coaching calls for six private 1:1 coaching sessions within 12 weeks. 

Yes. If you pay in full you will save $367 or opt for payment plan of $197 per week. Payment plans are not available for purchases made by organisations.

The NDIA recognises the importance of capacity building and it’s your Choice and Control if you choose to access our help.

There are a couple of relevant line items in the price guide:

10_016_0102_5_3  Employment Support

This support item provides workplace assistance that enables a participant to successfully obtain or retain employment in the open or supported labour market. This support can be supplied to any working age participant with an employment goal.

09_008_0116_6_3  Innovative Community Participation

This support item is designed to enable providers to offer new and innovative services to participants and is for mainstream providers who want to enable participants to access mainstream activities.

The NDIA always refers to these 3 three criteria:

1. Is it reasonable and necessary?  We are a professional development program designed specifically to retain neurodivergent women in the workplace. 

2. Is it good value for money? You get access to 6 hours of practical and applied coursework, 12 weekly group coaching calls and a collaborative platform where you can develop relationships with other women in your situation for support.

3. Does it work towards the participant’s goals? We work towards practical and productive workplace skills and behaviours. As long as you have something similar to one of these in your plan you are OK. 

It is possible to purchase spaces to the Empowered! program for your staff under a number of the existing Australian Government panels. Please contact Joey to arrange an invoice.

Of course! I’ve designed Empowered! for a very specific talent pool that is underestimated and often under-utilised or mis-utilised. I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss how this program will help your staff to thrive at work and best contribute to your organisation’s performance. 

I also offer workshops for managers about neurodivergence in the workplace and ways to lead neurodivergent staff. Please make a time with me and let’s have an informal chat.

Join Empowered! risk free. If after completing module 1 of the coursework and attending a group coaching call you decide this program is not for you then we will happily refund you in full.

Picture of Joey sitting at her desk

Still not sure?

That’s fine, this is a big and important decision. Book some time to chat with Joey to confirm Empowered! is right for you right now.

Enrol now!

For individuals

Payment plan available at checkout

Your program investment is even tax deductible!

June Cohort Open

$1997

For organisations

Use your End of Financial Year funds to sponsor your staff

Panel procurement is available for Commonwealth Government

Contact Joey 

Key Dates

Registration opens 3 May 2024

Registration closes 27 May 2024

Onboarding starts 31 May 2024

Program calls start (pick preferred time)

Tuesday 4 June 2024
8am (AEDT) | 5pm (CDT)
12 noon (AEDT)
5pm (AEDT) | 8am (BST)

Program calls end 20 August 2024 

Lifetime access to coursework

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples who are the traditional custodians of the Canberra area in which we work. We pay respect to the elders, past and present, of all Australia’s Indigenous peoples.