Camille Proctor is one of the most consequential voices in autism equity in the United States. As founder of The Color of Autism Foundation, established in 2009 following her son’s diagnosis, she has spent nearly two decades exposing and dismantling the structural disparities that deny Black and underserved communities access to timely identification, culturally responsive services, and equitable outcomes.

Lanre Duyile is the President and CEO of Behaviorprise Consulting Inc., a company that operates residential, recreational/vocational programs and ABA facilities for people living with developmental disabilities in Ontario, Canada. Lanre is also an Adjunct Professor at the Institute for Applied Behavior Science, Endicott College, Beverly, Massachusetts, USA. 

Lanre completed an advanced diploma in Behavior Science Technology from George Brown College, Toronto and then an undergraduate degree in Psychology from York University, Toronto. He proceeded to Florida Institute of Technology where he completed his master’s degree in professional Behavior Analysis. He is currently a doctoral student at the Endicott College with research interests in the assessment and treatment of challenging behaviors and organizational behavior management (OBM). He is a board-certified Behavior Analyst as well as a registered behavior analyst with the College of Psychologists and Behavior Analysts of Ontario

Area of specialization: Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Proposed Topic: Behavior Speaks: Listen, Understand it, Take Action. Using Simple Functional Assessment in homes and classrooms

Dr. Bernadette N. Kilo is a Cameroonian-born physician, autism advocate, and global thought leader dedicated to advancing autism awareness and culturally responsive care within communities of African descent. She serves as the Developmental Pediatrics Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Consultant and Autism Subject Matter Expert for The Southeast Permanente Medical Group in Atlanta.

As the proud mother of three children on the autism spectrum, Dr. Kilo brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her advocacy. She is committed to reducing stigma, promoting early identification, and improving equitable access to autism services. Her work has impacted families across the United States, Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon through speaking engagements, education, and community outreach.

Known for her culturally responsive approach, Dr. Kilo encourages families to Acknowledge, Accept, and Act, empowering parents to embrace neurodiversity and advocate confidently for their children. Her mission is to restore hope, dignity, and understanding to families navigating autism, while highlighting the potential and strengths of neurologically diverse children.

Area of specialization: Developmental Pediatrics

Proposed Topic:  AUTISM ACCEPTANCE IN NIGERIA: What is Looks Like and What It Must Becomes

Ade Otubanjo is a New York based Speech Pathologist. He received my masters in speech-language and hearing from New York University (NYU). He also supervises speech CFY students from universities in New York City. He has been a speech pathologist in New York for over 20 years working with the New York City department of education, New York City early intervention with babies from 0-3 years old, doing assessments in speech and language and feeding, also providing speech therapy to children from early intervention to school age children. He also works with stroke patients, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy patients in nursing homes. He is clinical certified with the three CCC’s from ASHA (American speech-language-hearing association). Member of national black association of speech-language-hearing association and John F. Kennedy Direct support professional.

Area of specialization: Speech and Language Pathology.

Proposed Topic: Accepting and including children with autism in the classroom.

Tomi Agboola Odeleye is a Speech and Language Therapist at a multidisciplinary Practice in the United Kingdom.

She works in-clinic at home and in schools, assessing paediatrics and adults, supervising junior Speech and Language Therapists, delivering therapeutic intervention and developing home programmes.

She has continued to expand her practice abroad and signed up with The Zeebah Foundation as Speech & Language Pathologist in 2019.

Area of specialization: Speech and Language Therapy

Proposed Topic: Neurodiversity Affirming Speech Therapy

Solape Azazi is an autism advocate, inclusion strategist, behavior analyst, and WHO Caregiver Skills Training (CST) Master Trainer—the only certified Master Trainer currently in Nigeria. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Cradle Lounge Special Needs Initiatives, where she leads efforts to empower caregivers, strengthen community support systems, and expand access to autism services and inclusive opportunities. An International Behavior Analyst, QABA-certified Supervisor, IBCCES Certified Autism Specialist, and Autism Parent Navigator, Solape brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. 

She is the author of the children’s book My Friend Has Autism and the producer of the documentary Echoes of Hope: Navigating Autism in Nigeria, which highlights the experiences of autistic individuals and their families while advancing conversations around diagnosis, support, and inclusion. A sought-after speaker and moderator, Solape is passionate about turning awareness into meaningful action and building communities where autistic individuals and their families can thrive.

Area of specialization: Autism advocacy, caregiver capacity building and community-based disability inclusion

Proposed Topic: Acceptance begins at Home: Turning family love into everyday inclusion

Osezusi is a certified Special Educational Needs expert and Advanced Certified Autism Specialist (SENCO M.Ed ACAS BCCS). Also founder and CEO of FOS Creative Arts Studio, an inclusive creative center that helps to nurture creativity, social skills, emotional intelligence, and other practical skills that all children need to succeed and thrive in the world. The facility is also a SENCO (Special Education Needs Coordinator) Centre providing support for children and families with SEN (Special Education Needs) including Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia, and other neurodiverse needs.

Area of specialization: Educational Psychology & Behavioral Analysis

Proposed Topic: Educational Psychology & Behavioral Analysis

Afeez Akanji AbdulRasak is a scholar, lecturer, researcher, and consultant specializing in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. With over 15 years of professional experience across Nigeria and the United States, he is committed to advancing inclusive education, empowering families, and improving quality of life for autistic individuals.

He is a Lecturer at the University of Lagos and a PhD Candidate in Early Childhood Education/Special Education at Oakland University, Michigan, USA, where his research focuses on the lived experiences of parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Afeez serves as the Director of Bilingual International Academy, Abuja, where he leads the delivery of world-class, inclusive education for both neurotypical and neurodiverse learners. He is also the Founder of The Child Expert Clinic and the Director General of the Halymah Ibrahim Babangida Foundation, leading educational and humanitarian initiatives across Nigeria.

A sought-after speaker and autism advocate, Afeez is recognized for translating research into practical strategies that help families, educators, and communities create inclusive environments where autistic individuals can thrive.

Area of specialization: Early Childhood and Special Education.

Proposed Topic: Autism Realities: Expectations, Myths, Acceptance, and Quality of Life.

Remi Olutimayin got into voice directing because he predicted the wave of talent coming into Nigerian animation, knowing that no animation industry rises above the quality of voice directing.

Remi Olutimayin has been a copywriter, producer, magazine editor, and banker, and is invested in creative talent development writing, and voice acting.

Remi Olutimayin is an autism self-advocate, also the founder of Voice Acting Africa, a group dedicated to developing voice talents of African descent.

In 2010, Remi Olutimayin was part of the Our Own Area animation crew that started the new wave of Nigerian animation. In 2022, he directed the TNC audio series Love, Music, & Dreams.

Area of specialization: Self Advocacy

Proposed Topic: Be the lions that write their story

Mr Benedict is an experienced and consultant clinical psychologist, a qualified behaviour analyst (QBA), learning and neurodevelopmental specialist and a certified mental health practitioner with a demonstrated history of excellent practice within and outside Nigeria. Mr Benedict is skilled in clinical evaluation, diagnosis and management of developmental disorders such as Autism, ADHD, Specific Learning Disorders, Intellectual Disability etc, as well as co-morbid mental health conditions.

He has over a decade experience within and outside Nigeria providing interventions for different developmental conditions. He has worked with several organisations and clinics as a developmental specialist. 

Mr Benedict had his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Masters of Science (M.Sc) in Clinical Psychology at University of Lagos. He obtained his Qualified Behaviour Analyst’s certification from QABA board. He is currently a PhD candidate in Clinical Psychology. 

He currently works as Clinical Director at Citicare Psychology Clinic.  He is a registered member of the Nigerian Association of Clinical Psychologist (NACP) and Nigerian Psychological Association (NPA).

Area of specialization: Clinical Psychologist and Behaviour Analyst

Proposed Topic: Autism & Trauma Informed Care.

Whitney Hammel Anny is a behavior analyst with over 15 years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), specializing in supporting autistic children and young adults across a range of settings and developmental needs. She holds a Master of Education in Severe Special Education from Simmons University and completed additional postgraduate training at the University of West Florida to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2014. Whitney is also certified as an International Behavior Analyst (IBA).

Whitney’s professional experience spans individuals from 20 months to 23 years of age and includes work in residential facilities, home and community-based settings, family support, inclusive education consultation within general education classrooms, social skills programming, ABA practicum supervision, and clinic management. She has extensive international experience in the dissemination and implementation of ABA services across the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, India, Ghana, Nigeria, and Germany, with a focus on creating meaningful and sustainable outcomes for autistic individuals.

She is the Co-Founder of Autism Compassion Africa, an NGO in Ghana and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States. The organization is dedicated to building local capacity, expanding access to ABA services, and raising autism awareness to address stigma and human rights violations affecting autistic individuals in West Africa.

Whitney currently serves as the Regional Director of ABA West at Knospe-Lerncenter in Germany, where she oversees clinical services and supports high-quality, individualized care for autistic individuals and their families.

Area of specialization: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Topic: Creating Pathways to Employment for Autistic Adults Through Task Analysis

A Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, and Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. She currently practices at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, where she specializes in the assessment and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across early childhood and school-age populations.

Dr. Taiwo completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD), where she was also a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Fellow. Her clinical expertise spans developmental assessment, caregiver support, interdisciplinary service coordination, and culturally responsive care.

She earned her Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Oregon, where her research focused on the intersection of caregiver mental health and support systems in families of children with autism and developmental delays. Her ongoing work explores telemedicine as a tool to reduce disparities in autism diagnosis and access to care.

As an educator and advocate, Dr. Taiwo has developed and facilitated autism training programs for families, educators, hospital staff, and school professionals. She is passionate about early intervention, empowering caregivers, and advancing equitable practices in neurodevelopmental care, especially for historically underserved communities.

Area of specialization: Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Topic: Promoting Positive Behavior in All Learning Spaces

Lola Dada-Olley is Executive Director and Assistant General Counsel at JPMorgan Chase, where she leads the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) legal team responsible for advancing accessibility and inclusion across consumer-facing products and services nationwide. A TEDx speaker and advocate, Lola brings more than thirty years of lived caregiving experience to her work. She is the mother of two autistic children and the older sister of an autistic, intellectually disabled man—roles that have shaped her voice, her leadership, and her unwavering commitment to building systems that honor every kind of mind.

Lola has spoken to audiences on caregiver mental health and wellness, disability inclusion, and accessibility before audiences that include the U.S. Department of Education, the University of Wisconsin, various non-profit organizations and corporations. Her family’s story was featured in Sensory Overload, the Vox Media documentary that explores sensory sensitivities and the environments that support neurodivergent people.

Beyond the legal and advocacy arenas, Lola is the host of Unapologetically Whole, a podcast dedicated to caregiver mental health, wellness, and the pursuit of wholeness amid demanding, often invisible responsibilities. She is also the author of the memoir Unapologetically Whole: A Memoir About Autism, Caregiving, and Owning Your Story, released on May 12th, a deeply personal exploration of identity, generational caregiving, and the courage it takes to rewrite the narratives handed to us. Lola lives in the Dallas, Texas area with her husband of nearly twenty years and their children.

Area of specialization: Caregiving, Advocacy, Law/Policy  (U.S.)

Topic: Caregiving considerations across the life span

Dr. Torica Exume, who obtained her doctorate from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, has a diverse background in working with individuals of different age groups, ranging from one to 60 years old, with various mental health disorders and brain injuries. Her internships and residencies provided her with valuable experience in the field.

Exume actively engages with the community through various programs. These include parent training, school staff training, social skills groups, mentoring, and sharing behavior analytic research findings through forthcoming journal articles. As an advocate for parents seeking guidance and support for their special needs children, Exume is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of these families.

Her expertise lies in several areas, including communication, social interactions, analysis, and treatment of repetitive behavior disorders and safety skills. With her extensive educational background and practical training, she remains committed to improving the lives of autistic children and making a positive impact on their overall well-being.

Area of specialization: Autism & Developmental Disabilities; Child Health and Development; Early Intervention & Special Education

Proposed Topic: From Awareness to Acceptance: Creating Neuroinclusive Spaces Across the Lifespan

Damilola Coker, M.Ed., LPC-S, is the Founder and Clinical Director of Ireti Counseling and Wellness, a private practice dedicated to holistic healing, personal growth, and mental wellness. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations with a minor in African Studies from the University of Georgia and a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, Damilola is passionate about creating affirming, culturally responsive spaces where individuals and families can heal, grow, and thrive. Drawing from both her professional expertise and lived experience as a first-generation Nigerian-American, she understands the impact of generational trauma, cultural expectations, and identity on mental health and well-being.

 Damilola specializes in anxiety, depression, self-esteem, parenting support, postpartum mental health, childhood trauma, family dynamics, and culturally responsive mental health care. Her therapeutic approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy, tailoring treatment to the unique needs of each individual and family.

She is also the author of “Embracing Radiance: A Guided Journal to Uncover Your Authentic Self,” a reflective resource designed to support self-discovery, healing, and personal empowerment. Through her clinical work, writing, speaking engagements, and community advocacy, Damilola remains committed to promoting mental wellness, strengthening families, and fostering inclusive environments where all individuals can flourish.

Areas of specialization:

•       Family Systems and Family Dynamics
•       Anxiety and Depression
•       Self-Esteem and Identity Development
•       Neurodiversity-Affirming Support
•       Childhood Trauma and Healing
•       Culturally Responsive Mental Health Care

Proposed Topic: Acceptance Begins at Home: Practical Strategies for Everyday Family Life with Autism

Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo is Nigeria’s only resident Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and the founder of Shades of Life Care Limited (SOLC), a centre providing assessment, diagnosis, and intervention services for individuals with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioural challenges.

She holds a PhD in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from the University of Kent and is the founder of Shades of Life Foundation (SOLF), which supports underserved families in accessing quality autism intervention services. Dr. Nwokolo is also the visionary behind #Ride4Autism, an autism awareness and education campaign implemented in partnership with cycling clubs across Nigeria.

An advocate, a researcher, and practitioner, she is committed to advancing autism awareness, improving access to behavioural services, 

Area of specialization: Autism & Developmental Disabilities; Child Health and Development; Early Intervention & Special Education

Proposed Topic: Transitioning and the Workplace in Autistic Adults

Cinzia Adanna Ebonine is an educator, diversity and inclusion consultant, and founder of educationwithcinzia, the first educational portal in Italy dedicated to providing resources for parents and educators of Afro-Italian children and youth aged 0–18.

Drawing from her dual Italian and Nigerian (Igbo) heritage, Cinzia is passionate about advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, African-centered education, and disability advocacy within the Italian educational system. As a mother of four children, including a child on the autism spectrum, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work.

She has collaborated with numerous organizations and initiatives, including Amref Health Africa, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Teach For Italy, Save the Children, Festival DiverCity, PhotoVogue by Vogue, Black History Month Torino, and Enprise Network.

In September 2024, Cinzia received the Black Carpet Award, Leader of Change, presented by Vogue Italy, in recognition of her impact in promoting social inclusion and equity.

Cinzia holds a B.Ed. in Education & Training, Master’s degrees in Special and Intercultural Education and Family Life Education, and a certification in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She is currently pursuing an M.Ed. in Education and certification as an International Behavior Therapist (IBT).

Area of specialization: Autism & Developmental Disabilities; Child Health and Development; Early Intervention & Special Education

Proposed Topic: Transitioning and the Workplace in Autistic Adults

Dr. Noimot Balogun is a design-thinking strategist, public health professional with expertise in stakeholder relations, public-private collaboration in health, stakeholder-engagement consultant, citizen behaviour, public-private co-creation, and social research for health systems. 

With a background in Dentistry, a Master’s in public health from the prestigious College of Medicine, University of Lagos, she became the first medic to transition fully into Communication studies with a postgraduate diploma in Media and Communication from the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University. Interestingly, she finished as the best graduating student despite the new terrain. This further piqued her interest, and she thus went on for a Masters in Mass Communication. Dr. Noimot is currently a PhD candidate in Mass Communication at the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies of the University of Lagos. She has just been awarded a lecturing appointment at the faculty of Communication and Media Studies, the University of Lagos.

She was one of the 57 researchers selected as research ambassadors for the Recirculate project for Water Eco-innovation in Africa. A £6.8 million Research Council/ Global Challenges Research Fund grant to Lancaster University, with capacity building in the United Kingdom, Ghana, and Malawi. Dr. Noimot has been named as one of the 30 women changing the face of healthcare in Nigeria by Bora Communications in 2021. She was also selected as one of the 60 emerging women in digital care as a part of the Global Health Summit program in 2025. Dr Balogun has worked as a technical consultant for Health and Communication with development partners, Government and private organizations. Some of these include: Pharmaccess, Foundation, US-Based SPEC Incorporated, Emergency Response Africa, National Orthopaedic Hospital, State Malaria Elimination Program, UNDP , Julius Berger Nigeria, GTBank among others.

Noimot is a member of the Health Policy Commission of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, which has allowed her to interact with think-tank members of the group to brainstorm and develop insights on policy briefs for public-private partnerships, reforms, and co-creation.

Area of specialization: Public Health

Proposed Topic: Who Saves Dignity When Clicks Are Currency? A Reality Check on Viral Content and Protection of the Rights of People with Special Needs.