Our mission
Understood exists so no one has to navigate neurodivergence alone.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been at this for a while, finding answers you can trust isn’t easy. There’s a lot of noise out there. We’re here to help you make sense of it.
We’re a nonprofit that turns trusted knowledge about ADHD, dyslexia, and other forms of neurodivergence into clear guidance, practical tools, and community support for over 20 million people each year.
We’re working toward a future where you can navigate neurodivergence with clarity, in a world that understands you. Because when people feel understood, so much more becomes possible.
Understood gets it, because we’ve been there.
Every resource you’ll find here started with one mother trying to help her son.
More than 30 years ago, our founders, Fred and Nancy Poses, began their own journey to understand their son Max’s neurodivergence. Nancy asked questions, searched for answers, and found that even with every resource available to their family, it was still hard to know what to trust — or what to do next.
What she needed wasn’t just more information. She needed clarity.
Nancy and Fred soon realized their family wasn’t alone. Millions of others were searching for that same sense of direction. So in 2014, they created what hadn’t existed before.
What began as one family’s search for answers has grown into a national nonprofit reaching more than 20 million people a year.
And behind that growth is a simple promise: You can trust what you find here. We have a team of 90+ experts — in education, psychology, and neurodivergence. So every resource is vetted before it ever reaches you.
At Understood, you can finally exhale. You’ll find the words for what you’ve been carrying alone. A community that gets it. And tools you can actually trust — for the moment that brought you here and whatever comes next.
If you’re here because you want to understand yourself or someone you love, you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. Understanding doesn’t solve everything. But it’s what makes everything else possible. We’re honored to be part of that with you.
Welcome to Understood.
Meet the people in your corner.
Leaders, changemakers, and people who are navigating neurodivergence firsthand — all working to make sure no one has to do this alone.
Fred Poses
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Understood
View biois the leader of Understood, and is committed to ensuring that everyone who learns and thinks differently can thrive.
Nancy Poses
Chair of the Board and Co-Founder, Understood
View biohas dedicated her life to shaping the world for difference.
Nathan Friedman
Co-President and Chief Marketing Officer, Understood
View bioleads the multifaceted brand strategy, product marketing, consumer engagement, communications, creative and production functions.
Seda Prezioso
Chief People and Culture Officer, Understood
View bioleads the People and Culture function, including talent development, compensation and benefits, HR, and employee experience.
Meet our board members.
Jacob “Jake” Poses
Board Treasurer
View biois a seasoned product leader and entrepreneur with a track record of scaling digital platforms at some of the world’s most prominent technology companies.
Mary Beth Gustafsson
Board Secretary
View biois a veteran legal executive with a career defined by her leadership in corporate compliance, M&A, and general counsel roles.
Justin Gray
Board Member
View biois a distinguished strategic advisor and executive specializing in government affairs and business consulting for global corporations and nonprofits.
Kenneth “Ken” deRegt
Board Member
View biois an accomplished financial executive with extensive leadership experience in fixed income sales, trading, and institutional operations.
Laurie Siegel
Board Member
View biois an expert in organizational strategy and human resources, specializing in the development of high-performance leadership and reward systems.
Michael Kosnitzky
Board Member
View biois a preeminent private wealth attorney and tax strategist recognized globally for his expertise in complex mergers, acquisitions, and generational planning.
Christopher Boies
Board Member
View biois an innovative legal leader and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience across the fintech, energy, and corporate law sectors.
Join the team behind the mission.
Together, we can help people who are navigating neurodivergence feel seen, supported, and ready for what’s next.