CEO OF THE YEAR (TIE)
DAVID ASPINALL
David Aspinall has served as CEO of auticon US since 2020. He is responsible for overseeing the further market development of auticon in the US to create more job opportunities for autistic professionals in the technology space. Prior to joining auticon, Aspinall was an executive in a Fortune 10 brand at AT&T, where he spent nearly 12 years, including time leading the telecommunication giant’s Canadian operations. He also served as regional president, of South for Sprint in Texas. More recently, he worked as an operating executive with various private equity firms specializing in scaling businesses and revenue growth.
Aspinall is deeply committed to addressing the high rate of unemployment and underemployment among autistic adults (85%) and increasing autism acceptance and inclusion across the workforce. Under his leadership, auticon has partnered with Fortune 500 companies and other major employers across the ÿnance, healthcare, technology, and entertainment sectors to hire autistic professionals on their technology projects and help the companies become more inclusive of autistic and neurodivergent employees overall. Aspinall is also leading the expansion of auticon’s Neuroinclusion Services, which helps companies build an autism-friendly and inclusive culture and become a destination for autistic and neurodivergent talent.
Aspinall leads auticon and its internal culture in accordance with the company’s core values, one of which is to respect individual differences. This culture enables positive and productive communication and collaboration between all levels of the team, and it creates an environment where autistic professionals (and all employees) can be their authentic selves and be appreciated for their strengths and talents. auticon’s entire purpose is to create autism-friendly and inclusive work environments that enable its autistic technology professionals to thrive – both within auticon and at each of its client companies.