Councillor Dan Cohen
131st Lord Mayor of Leeds
He is a solicitor by profession and former Managing Director of Madison Hosiery. With 14 years of council service, he is recognised for his leadership on the Children and Families Scrutiny Board and his dynamic community advocacy.
Pete Hughes
CEO Leeds Autism Services
He began as a Support Worker in 2001 after leaving mental health nursing. With over two decades of experience, he has worked directly with 100+ autistic adults and their families. Passionate about neurodiversity, Pete advocates for equality through public speaking, training, and consultancy, making a lasting impact in autism support and awareness
Dr Pedi Obani
Parent Team Lead, Afrikindness
Is the Parent Team Lead for Afrikindness’ Community Empowerment Programme (ACEP) in Bradford, where she leads parent-led initiatives on safeguarding, governance, and advocacy—extending our reach into communities. An Associate Professor of Law at the University of Bradford, she is also a dedicated parent trainer and advocate. Dr. Pedi will lead the plenary session, guiding a deep dive into community-driven solutions.
Bunmi Owolabi
CEO and Founder of Afrikindness
She is a Chartered Chemical Engineer and passionate parent advocate. She leads the organisation’s Community Empowerment Programme, delivering training across its 7 core modules including safeguarding and Parenting with Purpose. Bunmi holds a Level 2 qualification in Children and Young People’s Mental Health and is committed to advancing inclusion, resilience, and wellbeing in diverse communities.
Dr Vivian Okoye
Neurodiversity Lead Afrikindness
Dr Vivian is the Neurodiversity & inclusion lead at Afrikindness, a passionate advocate for neurodiversity and SEND awareness. She is the Assistant Regional Lead at Nudge Education. She is a certified Neurodiversity & Inclusion Trainer (PPGCert) and a Practitioner working with autistic children. She has led multiple community initiatives supporting parents of neurodiverse children. Dr Vivian will lead the disruptive conversation alongside other speakers
Councillor Ed Carlisle
Councillor Hunslet and Riverside
Ed Carlisle is one of the city councillors for Hunslet and Riverside (Green Party). He was elected in 2022, but has lived, worked, and volunteered in south and central Leeds for over 20 years. A passionate community champion and inclusion advocate, he co-runs initiatives like Beeston Festival, Leeds Repair Café, the Space youth programme, and the Holbeck Viaduct project. Cllr Ed actively supports schools, youth work, advocacy for refugee and migrant communities, environmental projects, and grassroots campaigns across the city.
Dr Suzzie Oyakhire
Neurodiversity Lead, Leeds, Afrikindness
Dr. Suzzie is a senior lecturer at Leeds Beckett University and a qualified solicitor with extensive experience in family support services. She specialises in helping parents navigate educational systems, access vital resources, and empowers families through advocacy and tailored guidance. Dr. Suzzie also serves as the host of the APIC2025 Conference, where she brings her passion for inclusive education and community empowerment to the forefront.
Sainabou Secka
Lived Experience Advocate & Trustee DASSI group
A devoted mother of two children with autism and learning disabilities, she brings over 17 years of lived experience navigating the complexities of neurodiversity, behavioural challenges, and inclusive parenting. Her journey is one of resilience, hope, and unwavering love. Through her story, she offers real insight, encouragement, and inspiration to other parents walking a similar path—empowering them to advocate, connect, and thrive within their unique parenting journeys.
Dominique Burley
Senior Development Worker, Forum Central
Dominique Burley is committed to advancing inclusion for disabled and neurodivergent individuals, with a strong focus on employment access, participatory health, and youth engagement. Since 2018, she has led community-driven initiatives that influence both policy and practice. Her work bridges lived experience with structural change, ensuring that underrepresented voices are at the heart of decision-making processes across disability, health, and youth sectors.
Alice Crawford
Education psychologist & Autism Assessor
Alice is an Educational & Curriculum Specialist for Afrikindness and a Chartered Educational Psychologist with multi academy trust in North East of England. With extensive experience in schools across the UK, she specializes in autism assessment and supporting marginalized children and families. Alice is passionate about using psychology to enhance learning, promote inclusion, and support children’s well-being, particularly those with neurodiverse needs. A former teacher & director of learning and support, she is well experienced in local and private schools supporting learning particularly for those marginalized
Tumi Sotire
Founder, Black Dyspraxic and Award-winning neurodiversity speaker, advocate, and researcher
Tumi is the founder of The Black Dyspraxic, an initiative that emphasises the importance intersectionality in neurodiversity from his lived experience as a British Born Nigerian. Through this platform, he aims to shed light on the unique challenges faced by individuals who belong to both these communities. Tumi actively participates in the Neurodiversity community and holds advisory roles on the Centre for Neurodiversity at Work at Birkbeck University and the Co-Production Board for Neurodiversity in Business. He has also served as a judge for the Genius Within Neurodiversity Awards for four consecutive years. Additionally, he contributes to The Diverse Creative CIC future leader’s advisory board and Noetic the community advisory board. Tumi’s expertise and passion for neurodiversity have led to numerous speaking engagements and recognition in reputable publications. His advocacy efforts have gained him opportunities to speak publicly about his lived experiences at prominent companies such as Sony PlayStation, IBM, and Universal Music. In 2020, Tumi received the Dyspraxic Advocate of the Year award from A2i in recognition of his outstanding work in the field. Tumi’s was awarded the Dyspraxia Foundation Mary Corley Awarded in 2023.
Dr. Léon van Ommen
Senior Lecturer in Practical Theology, University of Aberdeen. Co-Director of the Centre for Autism and Theology
Dr. Léon van Ommen is a Senior Lecturer in Practical Theology at the University of Aberdeen and Co-Director of the Centre for Autism and Theology at the University of Aberdeen. His pioneering research explores the intersection of autism, sensory experience, liturgy, and spirituality— focusing on how non-speaking autistic individuals as well as those from Black and marginalised communities, experience worship and religious inclusion.
Dr. Léon van Ommen’s work includes the monograph Autism and Worship: A Liturgical Theology and multiple studies addressing the sensory dimensions of worship and barriers to spiritual participation.
He is leading cutting-edge research funded by the John Templeton Foundation and AHRC on the spiritual lives of non-speaking autistic people and the impact of cultural marginalisation in faith settings.
Jeanne Forest Ngomedje
Trustee DASSI GROUP
Jeanne has worked as a healthcare assistant with Becaring and 24/. She has a degree in childcare and has worked with the Refugees Council as a childminder assistant. She is currently a Trustee with the DASSI Group
Eleanor Murray
Speech & Language Clinical Manager, Chatterbug
As Chatterbug’s Clinical Manager, Eleanor brings over 13 years of experience as a practising Speech and Language Therapist to lead Chatterbug’s talented clinical team. She began her career in the NHS, where she developed extensive expertise working with children and young people aged 0–19 years, as well as supporting adults who stammer. Over the years, Eleanor has worked across mainstream and special schools, managed complex caseloads, and provided specialist input for babies and children with feeding and swallowing difficulties.
For the past seven years, Eleanor has held senior leadership roles, including serving as an NHS Clinical Lead Therapist, before stepping into her current position as Clinical Manager at Chatterbug earlier this year. Alongside her clinical expertise, Eleanor is a qualified coach and mentor, which further enhances her ability to support and guide teams, colleagues, and the families she works with.
