Propel your career by empowering your neurodivergence
Reframe your differences as superpowers
Work smarter, not harder
Belong without having to “fit in”
I’m looking for12 neurodivergent professionalswho are ready to work with me and each other over2neuroaffirmingandseensitivitysupportive daysto set the foundations that will transform their professional life into something they can enjoy for many more years to come.
10-11 April 2025
A world first professional development program designed specifically by atypical professionals for atypical professionals
This program is for you if...
You feel like an imposter or a square peg in a round hole at work and have to conform a lot?
People under-estimate you? You feel invisible, unrecognised or underappreciated, making you doubt your worth?
Or, people feel threatened by you, intimidated because of your intellectual ability, meaning you often silence yourself to fit in?
You’re exhausted from trying to keep up with the rules of work, working such hard and long hours that you are worried you will burn out, or already have?
You leave work feeling lonely, anxious, frustrated or even angry and then lack the enthusiasm to do it all over again the next day?
You know you can perform, but you want to have the confidence to show up more authentically and waste less energy on masking and camouflauging?
Propel your career by empowering your neurodivergence
Reframe your differences as superpowers
Work smarter, not harder
Belong without having to “fit in”
I’m looking for12 neurodivergent professionalswho are ready to work with me and each other over2neuroaffirmingandseensitivitysupportive daysto set the foundations that will transform their professional life into something they can enjoy for many more years to come.
10-11 April 2025
A world first professional development program designed specifically by atypical professionals for atypical professionals
This program is for you if...
You feel like an imposter or a square peg in a round hole at work and have to conform a lot?
People under-estimate you? You feel invisible, unrecognised or underappreciated, making you doubt your worth?
Or, people feel threatened by you, intimidated because of your intellectual ability, meaning you often silence yourself to fit in?
You’re exhausted from trying to keep up with the rules of work, working such hard and long hours that you are worried you will burn out, or already have?
You leave work feeling lonely, anxious, frustrated or even angry and then lack the enthusiasm to do it all over again the next day?
You know you can perform, but you want to have the confidence to show up more authentically and waste less energy on masking and camouflauging?
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 context
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 yourself
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...
Crafted a clear and professional articulation of your neuro-profile, preferred way of working and unique needs which makes more sense to neurotypical brains.
Implemented practical plans to better manage your sensory sensitivities and give you the energy to not only survive the typical workplace, but thrive.
A toolkit of productivity hacks that will be the envy of your neurotypical colleagues and help you save time while doing better quality work.
Developed your authentic personal brand and leadership style that stands out in the crowd and, this time, in a good way.
Gained clarity on your life purpose and how you will intent to move towards that to align your personal and professional passions.
Twoempowering days
Sensitivity-supporting
Held virtually in your unique comfort zone, weighted blankets, fidget toys and cameras are all optional. End each day feeling energised not exhausted.
Bite-sized and break-filled learning
Engage with concise, evidence-based lessons. Each module is less than 30 minutes, split into quick 5-7 minute segments delivered over two full days. Plenty of time for reflection breaks.
Practical empowerment
Self-evaluation tools and tailored templates enable you to architect your own transformation to thrive in your professional life.
Inspiring conversations
Gain insights from intimate discussions with other participants, sharing lived experience, personal journeys, strategies, and success in overcoming work-related obstacles.
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
I spent a lot of my career mimicking, copy-pasting my behaviour, and doing what everyone else is doing – even if it didn’t work for me. The Empowered program gave me the strategies to work with my brain, rather than against it.
Enrol now!
10-11 April 2025
AU$1997
plus GST
How the program works
Empowered is a unique program for unique professionals that delivers self-acceptance, self-management and self-advocacy outcomes that lead to professional success.
Over two days we will immerse into the key strategies for creating a sustainably successful career. A career that is not punctured by regular burnouts but enables you to realise your full potential.
Highlights of our Explore module
Define what makes you uniquely you
-
Learn about the different types of neurodivergence and
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
The Explore module taught me so much more about what goes on in my neurodivergent brain and how I can articulate it to others.
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
I needed to hear what was in this module. My battery was on empty and I’m managing my energy in a much more conscious way now - and feeling so much better.
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
It was a very validating experience to find out how the environment can impact a neurodivergent person.
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
The Effectiveness module was timely for me, with my ND diagnosis in mind, to reflect and apply productivity effectiveness hacks.
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
I hadn’t necessarily made the connection between who I am and what it means for me as a professional. The program helped me to embrace all of my traits, especially the neurodivergent ones.
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
-
Celebrate belonging to a community of brave, intelligent
and compassionate women
The Explore module brings all of the program together and applying the assessment tools helped me to better understand myself and be the best version of my 'more informed' self.
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 enviableLinkedIn Profileand 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.
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 context
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 yourself
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...
Crafted a clear and professional articulation of your neuro-profile, preferred way of working and unique needs which makes more sense to neurotypical brains.
Implemented practical plans to better manage your sensory sensitivities and give you the energy to not only survive the typical workplace, but thrive.
A toolkit of productivity hacks that will be the envy of your neurotypical colleagues and help you save time while doing better quality work.
Developed your authentic personal brand and leadership style that stands out in the crowd and, this time, in a good way.
Gained clarity on your life purpose and how you will intent to move towards that to align your personal and professional passions.
Two empowering days
Sensitivity-supporting
Held virtually in your unique comfort zone, weighted blankets, fidget toys and cameras are all optional. End each day feeling energised not exhausted.
Bite-sized and break-filled learning
Engage with concise, evidence-based lessons. Each module is less than 30 minutes, split into quick 5-7 minute segments delivered over two full days. Plenty of time for reflection breaks.
Practical empowerment
Self-evaluation tools and tailored templates enable you to architect your own transformation to thrive in your professional life.
Inspiring conversations
Gain insights from intimate discussions with other participants, sharing lived experience, personal journeys, strategies, and success in overcoming work-related obstacles.
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
I spent a lot of my career mimicking, copy-pasting my behaviour, and doing what everyone else is doing – even if it didn’t work for me. The Empowered program gave me the strategies to work with my brain, rather than against it.
Enrol now!
10-11 April 2025
AU$1997
plus GST
How the program works
Empowered is a unique program for unique professionals that delivers self-acceptance, self-management and self-advocacy outcomes that lead to professional success.
Over two days we will immerse into the key strategies for creating a sustainably successful career. A career that is not punctured by regular burnouts but enables you to realise your full potential.
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
The Explore module taught me so much more about what goes on in my neurodivergent brain and how I can articulate it to others.
Highlights of our Energy module
Overcomres16e 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
I needed to hear what was in this module. My battery was on empty and I’m managing my energy in a much more conscious way now - and feeling so much better.
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
It was a very validating experience to find out how the environment can impact a neurodivergent person.
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
-
Learn about the different types of
neurodivergence and how they often co-exist together and correlate with auto-immune and mental health challenges
-
Implement a wide range of
strategies and hacks that make you more productive everyday
The Effectiveness module was timely for me, with my ND diagnosis in mind, to reflect and apply productivity effectiveness hacks.
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
I hadn’t necessarily made the connection between who I am and what it means for me as a professional. The program helped me to embrace all of my traits, especially the neurodivergent ones.
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
The Explore module brings all of the program together and applying the assessment tools helped me to better understand myself and be the best version of my 'more informed' self.
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.
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.
Enrol now!
10-11 April 2025
AU$1997
plus GST
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.
Do I need to be diagnosed Dyslexic, ADHD or Autistic to join the program?
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.
What if I have another form of neurodivergence?
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!
Can I get 1:1 support?
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.
Do you offer payment plans?
For this two day program it is not feasible to offer a payment plan. A payment plan is available for my 12 week Empowered Experience which you can learn about here.
Can I claim this program through the Australian NDIS?
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.
Are you on an Australian Government procurement panel?
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.
I'm in HR or employ staff, can we have a chat?
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.
Enrol now!
10-11 April 2025
AU$1997
plus GST
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.
Grit n Grace Collective ABN 70336864057
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.
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.
Enrol now!
10-11 April 2025
AU$1997
plus GST
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 chatto ensure this is the right program for you.
Do I need to be diagnosed Dyslexic, ADHD or Autistic to join the program?
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.
What if I have another form of neurodivergence?
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!
Can I get 1:1 support?
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.
Do you offer payment plans?
For this two day program it is not feasible to offer a payment plan. A payment plan is available for my 12 week Empowered Experience which you can learn about here.
Can I claim this program through the Australian NDIS?
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.
Are you on an Australian Government procurement panel?
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.
I'm in HR or employ staff, can we have a chat?
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.
Enrol now!
10-11 April 2025
AU$1997
plus GST
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.
Grit n Grace Collective ABN 70336864057