ABOUT XCEPTIONAL ACADEMY
Experts in neurodiversity, work and inclusion.
We partner with leaders across the private, public and community sectors to build genuinely inclusive, high-performing workplaces, combining lived experience, academic research and industry knowledge.
Who We AreLived experience, academic rigour, and deep industry knowledge.
Xceptional Academy is a registered not-for-profit that partners with organisations to close the gaps neurodivergent people and people with disability face at work. We help employers move from good intentions to genuinely inclusive, high-performing workplaces.
Working directly with mainstream employers, HR and people leaders, we build lasting organisational capability through education, advisory, policy and job redesign, and we support Disability Employment Services and Workforce Australia providers to strengthen their practice. Alongside this work with organisations, we equip neurodivergent individuals with the skills and confidence to thrive.
OUR MISSION
To help organisations build supportive, inclusive and high-performing workplaces by equipping employers and managers with the knowledge, tools and strategy they need, and to support neurodivergent individuals and people with disability with the skills to succeed.
20%
of people are neurodivergent, an often untapped part of every workforce
WHAT WE DOA suite of solutions co-designed with employers.
Slide through the ways we help organisations build capability. Every service is delivered by experts with professional and lived experience.
INSIDE OUR WORKTraining, advisory and real change in action.
Nationally delivered, in person and virtually, for teams from 10 to 500+.
OUR PEOPLE
The team behind Xceptional Academy.
Senior Management
Leading our strategy and day-to-day work with employers, providers and individuals
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Keith Rovers
CHAIR
Keith is a partner in MinterEllison’s Corporate & Capital Markets Group with extensive experience across real estate, infrastructure and technology. With a passion for social justice, he leads MinterEllison’s Pro Bono and Community Investments programs, developing partnerships that amplify social impact through impact investment and cross-sector collaboration.
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Edmund D’Cruz
GENERAL MANAGER
Edmund is an accomplished leader with 30 years’ experience across corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. As GM of Xceptional Academy, he champions neuroinclusion, combining evidence-based practice with strategic leadership to help organisations unlock neurodivergent talent, build inclusive cultures and create meaningful, lasting impact.
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Nicole Done
PRINCIPAL INCLUSION CONSULTANT
Nicole is a leading neuro-inclusion consultant with more than 25 years’ experience across education, disability and workplace inclusion. As the creator of Xceptional Academy’s training programs, she helps organisations turn neuro-inclusion into practical change through advisory, training and coaching. Her work has received industry recognition, including a Tech Diversity Award and Global RMHC Award.
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Advisors
Guiding our growth, partnerships and strategic direction
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Aron Mercer
ADVISOR
Aron is a PhD candidate at Griffith University researching neurodivergent employees’ experiences of disclosure, belonging and inclusion at work. With 25 years across corporate leadership, social enterprise and the not-for-profit sector, including Australia Post, Experian and Salmat, he was part of Xceptional’s founding team. He authored Untapped Talent (2024) and draws on lived experience as a neurodivergent person.
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Matthew Byrne
ADVISOR
Matthew is a social worker and former lawyer, and a Certified Neurodiversity Practitioner, with experience across cross-cultural and remote settings. He holds Master’s degrees in Rehabilitation Counselling, Law, and Social Work, and is currently studying a Master of Anthropology. He is passionate about supporting neurodivergent clients and helping organisations become more inclusive through a strengths-based approach.
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WORK WITH US
Start your neuro-inclusion journey with our team.
Talk to us about training and advisory solutions tailored to your organisation.
Australia’s trusted partner in workplace neurodiversity. Based in North Sydney, delivering nationally — in person and virtually.
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50 Miller Street, NORTH SYDNEY, NSW 2060, Australia