Genuine

Connect

Student Registration
General Registration
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Unified Vision for Inclusion

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Speakers

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Students

"Genuine Connect brings people together to inspire inclusion and real change."

–  Lorna Ortiz, President & Founder, The Genuine Foundation

Turning inclusion into action

The Genuine Connect is a two-day forum bringing together students, business leaders, educators, advocates, policymakers, and families to advance inclusion and expand pathways to employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism.

Dates: Saturday, July 25 & Sunday, July 26

Venue: Rice University • Houston, TX

Format: Panels • Workshops • Research Showcase • Volunteer Experience

Hosted by: The Genuine Foundation

Beyond Awareness

Hosted by the Genuine Foundation, Genuine Connect is the ideas and action platform alongside Genuine Cup.

While the tournament creates global visibility through sport, Genuine Connect focuses on what comes next, bringing together the people shaping education, hiring, policy, and advocacy to discuss real solutions around inclusion and employability.

Through panels, workshops, research presentations, and collaborative sessions participants share proven models, challenge assumptions, and build connections that extend beyond the event itself.

Who should attend? 

Students, Employers, HR and talent professionals, Policymakers, Educators, Advocates, Researchers, Families, Anyone working to build more inclusive pathways to opportunity.

Student Registration
General Registration

Conference Agenda

Saturday, July 25th

8:30 A.M. | Registration & Coffee Networking

9:30 A.M. | Opening Remarks

10:00 A.M. | TED Talk  

10:40 A.M. | Panel

12:30 P.M. | Lunch Break

2:00 P.M. | Keynote

2:10 P.M. | Panels

5:00 P.M. | Student Poster Session

6:30 P.M. | Dinner (Students Only)

7:30 P.M. | Movie Night (Students Only)

Sunday, July 26th

8:30 A.M. | Coffee Networking

9:00 A.M. | Keynote

9:10 A.M. | Panels 

11:00 A.M. | Coffee Break

11:15 A.M. | Key Note

11:25 A.M. | Panel

12:30 P.M. | Lunch Break

2:00 P.M. | Closing Ceremony

2:30 P.M. | End of Conference

Click to download the agenda

Genuine Connect Agenda

Meet the Moderators

Elaine Eisenbaum

Disability Segment Strategy Leader at Wells Fargo

Leader advancing disability inclusion across strategy, culture, and technology. Experienced in advocacy and systems change, with a focus on building partnerships and driving equitable, measurable impact.

Dave Thompson

Author & Neuroinclusive Workplace Strategist

Author of Brainstorm: A Guide to Neurodivergent Talent and the Future or Work | Neuroinclusive Workplace Strategist

President & Founder, The Genuine Foundation

Energy technology executive with 20 years at Shell and founder of The Genuine Foundation, driving inclusion in employment, sports, and entrepreneurship for neurodiverse young adults.

Lorna Ortiz

Ana Garcia-Falces

Associate at McKinsey
& Company

Strategy consultant with experience across indurstries and public-private initiatives in Europe. Co-organizer of the Genuine Connect Conference since 2025.

Julie Taylor

Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Dr. Taylor studies how to improve adult outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, focusing on autism transition to adulthood, family advocacy, employment, mental health, and developmental vulnerabilities.

The Program

Industry & Policy Panels

Speakers from University of Texas, Rice University, Best Buddies, Bank of America, HP, and Special Olympics and more, share real stories and real strategies.

Student Research Showcase

Selected students present research and ideas related to IDD, neurodiversity, workforce inclusion, and accessibility

Film Screening

Special premiere of the Genuine documentary.

Genuine Cup Volunteer

Participants have the opportunity to support Genuine Cup through volunteering, connecting discussion with real-world action

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