Murphy Monroe is an autistic executive, speaker, and consultant who helps organizations transform their culture—and their bottom line—by rethinking how they communicate, lead, and include. With firsthand experience as a neurodivergent individual and a track record of executive leadership, Murphy combines deep empathy with data-driven strategy.

As the longtime Executive Director of a nationally treasured circus school and theatre company, Murphy has spent years building systems that enable creative misfits to thrive. He brings that same spirit to businesses, schools, nonprofits, and city governments—helping them structure their teams, communication, and leadership practices for clarity, trust, and impact.

Before his work in the arts, Murphy held senior leadership roles in higher education and edtech, including Vice President of Operations, General Manager, and Vice President of Enrollment Management. He led national sales, marketing, and enrollment teams, oversaw multi-million-dollar budgets, and successfully managed hundreds of employees across multiple departments and locations. He also spearheaded enterprise-level growth strategies at both established institutions and a fast-scaling education technology company. His profound expertise in systems leadership, accessibility, and growth strategy positions him as a trusted voice at the intersection of inclusion and performance.

Murphy's keynotes and trainings combine storytelling, strategy, and humor—and often challenge assumptions about what leadership and success look like. He teaches organizations to embrace the profitability and performance gains that come from neurodiverse teams and to build cultures where people don't just fit in; they belong. His work and insights have been featured in major media outlets, including The New York Times, amplifying his voice in national conversations around autism, leadership, and accessibility.

Programs / Speaking Topics

Keynotes & Signature Talks

• Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces: Communication That Works for Everyone
• Autism in Leadership: Harnessing Neurodivergent Strengths
• The Business Case for Neurodiversity: Profitability, Innovation, and Impact
• From the Circus to the Boardroom: An Autistic Executive's Guide to Leading with Difference

Corporate Training & Workshops

• Building a Neuroinclusive Workplace
• Supporting Sensory Needs in Workspaces & Teams
• Leading with Empathy: Managing Neurodivergent Employees
• Disability Inclusion for DEI Professionals
• Workplace Communication That Works for All Brains

School & Family Seminars

• Autism 101: The Basics and Beyond for Educators or anyone
• Understanding Masking and Burnout
• What Sensory Overload Feels Like
• Supporting Late-Diagnosed Students with Compassion

Sensory-Friendly Workplace Consulting (Half-day or Full-day)

• Physical and digital environment walkthrough
• Staff interviews and feedback collection
• Review of culture, policy, and communication
• Written report with prioritized, actionable recommendations

Panels & Media Appearances

• Autism & leadership
• Workplace inclusion & accessibility
• Sensory wellness and trauma recovery
• Neurodivergence and entrepreneurship
• Parenting, diagnosis, and lived experience

Testimonials

"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."

— Municipal Executive, Midwestern City Government (Pop. 75,000)

“Murphy’s combination of lived disability experience and sales expertise didn’t just inspire us—it shifted how we think about our business. We left his talk with clear ideas for creating a more inclusive customer experience, and we’re confident it will drive both impact and revenue.”

— Keynote Attendee, National Franchise Sales Meeting

"Murphy was amazing. 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 in the future."

— Host a national Podcast on Neurodiversity & Inclusion