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Dear Community Member,
We’re excited to share a leadership update that speaks to the strength, continuity, and future of The Neurodiversity Alliance. We are proud to officially welcome Jesse Sanchez as our new President and Carly Priest as our National Program Director. You can learn more about Jesse by watching his inspiring TED Talk, What happens when you stop masking your differences.
Both Jesse and Carly are long-standing members of our community who have shaped this movement over many years — beginning with our legacy as Eye to Eye, and continuing through our evolution as The Neurodiversity Alliance.
Jesse’s journey with Eye to Eye began in 2010 as a UC Berkeley student, where he launched a chapter of the Eye to Eye mentoring program. That experience—supporting fellow neurodivergent students while navigating his own path with ADHD — sparked a lifelong passion.
After two years helping scale Eye to Eye nationally as part of the national staff, Jesse spent a decade in the tech industry while staying deeply involved as a volunteer, donor, and alumni leader for the Eye to Eye mentoring program. He chaired the Alumni Board and served on the national Board of Directors, guiding the organization through its transition into The Neurodiversity Alliance.
In 2024, Jesse returned full-time as Managing Director of Programs. Now President, he is leading the next era of this movement to empower neurodivergent youth for generations to come.
Carly Priest started as a participant of The Neurodiversity Alliance’s Eye to Eye Mentoring Program in high school. A former teacher, she joined our team in 2021, bringing her deep passion for mentoring
and education to the forefront as she led the Eye to Eye Mentoring Program for three years.
In her previous role as Director of Curriculum & Program Development, Carly continues to create tools and resources that elevate the voices and experiences of neurodivergent young people. Her leadership ensures that our programming is rooted in belonging, identity, and self-advocacy.
These appointments mark not only a new chapter in our leadership but a powerful continuation of a shared vision—one shaped by lived experience, deep commitment, and bold belief in the brilliance of our community.
Please join us in congratulating Jesse and Carly. We’re so proud to have them leading us forward.
Community Updates
Join us on Sunday, July 27, at The Talkhouse in the Hamptons for an unforgettable evening exploring the connection between neurodiversity and mental health. Through storytelling, radical self-discovery, and joyful celebration, neurodivergent individuals and their allies will come together to share experiences and build community. The event promises to be a powerful reminder of the strength, creativity, and resilience within the neurodivergent community.
Taking place August 7–10, 2025, at the University of Denver, the summit welcomes more than 200 students for a weekend of inspiring speakers, interactive workshops, special guests, and hands-on activities. It’s an opportunity to build community, share experiences, and connect with peers, recent grads, and changemakers in the neurodiversity movement.
Starting college as a neurodivergent student can feel overwhelming — from navigating sensory overload to managing executive dysfunction in a brand-new environment. This guide offers practical, real-world tips to help you thrive on your own terms, with strategies that actually support how your brain works. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a mid-semester reset, these tools are here to help you succeed — no masking required.
ND Alliance In The News
In this vulnerable and powerful essay, David Flink, Founder & CEO of The Neurodiversity Alliance, shares how being a neurodivergent student, and later a parent, taught him that learning isn’t about effort alone. It’s about environment, empathy, and rethinking our assumptions. From battling bias in the classroom to raising kids with curiosity and compassion, this piece is a reminder that inclusion starts at home - and in our hearts.
In this deeply personal talk, Jesse shares his journey from a childhood marked by instability and fear to discovering his neurodivergent identity and reclaiming his voice through mentorship, advocacy, and storytelling. He reflects on moments of failure, resilience, and the power of saying yes to community—ultimately finding purpose through The Neurodiversity Alliance.
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