Autistic Activist, Leader & Speaker
Educating and advocating for environments and workplaces that work for and welcome ALL people.
Murphy Monroe, MSNPM
Murphy has hired and led many large, high-caliber teams that have broken sales records, driven profits, and pioneered emerging technologies. He possesses subject matter expertise in enrollment management, board relations, nonprofit management, and disability justice. Murphy is a Commissioner for the City of Evanston, leading the city's ADA compliance and disability access work. He is currently the executive director of an award-winning professional circus school and theater company that teaches over a thousand students yearly and produces circus theater nationwide.
Murphy led a large multi-state sales team as General Manager and Vice President of Operations for Helix Education, an ed-tech company that developed cutting-edge enrollment software and managed the enrollment and brand positioning for many major colleges and universities before its successful sale.
“That self-knowledge has changed how he approaches his current job as the executive director of the Actors Gymnasium. ‘I had this real desire to just be open at work. I just dove in. I bought a gold autism pin from Etsy and started wearing it all the time. For me to be completely my authentic self while I am running a joyful enterprise makes me feel like I’m the luckiest guy ever.’”
A compelling autistic storyteller and disabilities justice advocate, Murphy Monroe engages audiences of all types in powerfully authentic conversations. He draws on a wealth of executive experience in management, sales, and mission-driven leadership and inspires "aha" moments by communicating through his uniquely neurodivergent lens.
Murphy weaves his powerful personal story with real-life anecdotes and metaphors to equip audiences with practical strategies to create environments where all talents can flourish and feel welcome.
Learn how to motivate and leverage your workforce by communicating crisp goals and refocusing individuals to build on past successes by understanding how their roles are critical to the bigger picture.
Recent Podcast Appearances
I’m passionate about discussing inclusion and autism because these conversations are essential to building stronger, more effective human connections. By sharing practical insights and lived experience, I help leaders better understand the value of neurodiversity and the tangible benefits of inclusive practices. These topics aren’t just personal—they’re strategic. Inclusion drives innovation, improves team dynamics, and reflects the values of today’s workforce.
Testimonials
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An Autistic Lived Experience
The combination of Murphy's lived experience and disability expertise is transformative; he opened our eyes and made us all want to work for a more inclusive society.
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A Passionate Advocate
Murphy is very passionate about autism, disability and advocacy!! His passion comes through when he is sharing with the audience. He shared many tips and pieces of information that my audience will find helpful.
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An Enormous Impact
Murphy's openness and passion in sharing his own experiences is so incredibly beneficial in helping listeners to understand how everyone belongs. His advocacy for all members of the disability community has made an enormous impact not only on Evanston's City staff and leaders, but on the City as a whole, helping to hold each member of our community accountable for fulfilling the true meanings of accessibility and inclusion.
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An Amazing Podcast Guest
Murphy was an amazing guest. He was open and authentic about life with autism, and was more than willing to discuss his circus school. We can't wait to have Murphy back on the show in the future.
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A Compelling Speaker
I found myself hanging onto Murphy’s every word. It's like he has a superpower!
Speaking Topics
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Understanding Disability
Recognizing And Understanding Invisible Disabilities
Creating An Accommodations Process That Feels Good To All.
How Does The ADA Apply To Me, And Is Following It Enough?/Legal Rights And Obligations
Building And Keeping An Inclusive Environment
Integrating Disability In Your DEI Work
Language, Etiquette, And Culture
Emergency Preparedness
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Institutionalization
Mainstreaming v. Specialized Education
Inaccessible Environments And Lack Of Access To Community Services
Social Stigma And Discrimination
Healthcare Disparities
Transportation
Housing
Employment Discrimination And Sheltered Workshops
Voting
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Understanding The Spectrum
Who Was Hans Asperger
The Controversy Of Approaches Like CBT
High Masking, Low Masking And Unmasking
Autistic Kids Become Autistic Adults
Differences In Information Processing And Social Interaction
Sensory Sensitivities
Routines And Predictability
Supportive Environments
Autism Is Not A Barrier To Success
Special Interests
Co-Occurring Conditions
Family Support
Workplace Accommodations
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Murphy shares his inspiring narrative of overcoming significant obstacles and leveraging his special interests and facility with numbers to quickly rise in the Higher Ed and Ed Tech Industries, setting sales records, and building high-functioning teams.
Learn strategies to motivate, connect, and leverage your workforce by communicating crisp goals and refocusing individuals on their roles being critical to the bigger picture.
Focus your team on collaborative, assumptive sales to improve customer relationships, increase employee satisfaction, and drive more revenue.
Build a culture of continuous feedback and work engagement
Celebrate milestones and achievements to maintain momentum
Effective negotiation and persuasion skills