Meet our Women’s Council

Each person with learning and thinking differences faces a difficult journey. For the 26 million U.S. women with these challenges, that journey is even harder. There’s a significant disparity between how women and men understand, experience, and navigate neurodivergence. Women who don’t have a diagnosis are especially at a disadvantage. They’re struggling every day, and they don’t know why. 

Understood’s Women’s Council, a dynamic and diverse group of female leaders, will help shape and accelerate our work on behalf of neurodivergent women. Using their personal insights and influence, these women will help to elevate the national conversation and galvanize support for the work.

We’re thrilled to introduce you to our members. These accomplished leaders come from diverse fields across business, media, and social impact. Each has a personal connection to our mission and is dedicated to driving change for people who learn and think differently.  

Rakia Reynolds is a thought leader in branding, creative strategy, and business development. As founder and executive officer of Skai Blue Media, she helps clients navigate cultural shifts and consumer expectations. A sought-after speaker, she has shared expertise on branding, media, and entrepreneurship at TEDx, SXSW, and more. Recognized by Fast Company, Forbes, and Inc., she was a 2024 Matrix Awards Honoree. Beyond Skai Blue Media, she advises brands like Amazon, Morgan Stanley, and Serena Williams’ WYN Beauty, using her platform to drive awareness around learning and thinking differences.

Valeria Piaggio is an influential diversity champion in market research and consulting. She has played a key role in driving inclusion for brand growth by ensuring marketers understand high growth yet under or misrepresented people. A sought-after speaker, Valeria advocates for neurodiversity inclusion and supports organizations like Understood, GLAAD and UN Women’s Unstereotype Alliance. She spearheaded Kantar’s groundbreaking Brand Inclusion Index to uncover brand perception of inclusion globally. A dedicated mentor, she amplifies diverse voices within Kantar’s team. Valeria’s leadership fosters meaningful change, making her a true force in advancing inclusivity in the industry.

Rebecca Grone leads impact initiatives at 11:11 Media, founded by Paris Hilton and Bruce Gersh. At 11:11 Media Impact, she drives social change through advocacy, storytelling, and philanthropy. She has supported efforts to reform the “troubled teen industry,” influencing new laws and co-developing Trapped in Treatment, an investigative podcast with iHeartMedia and Warner Bros. Before joining 11:11 Media, she worked on social impact projects for PBS and served as program coordinator for the USC Medical Clowning Program, using media to amplify crucial causes.

Rebekah Shrestha leads strategy and innovation at the 92nd Street Y (92NY), a cultural and educational institution reaching 55 million people worldwide. She heads the Belfer Center for Innovation and Social Impact, which launched GivingTuesday and the Social Good Summit, and established 92NY’s first Office of Strategic Planning. With 20 years of experience in strategy consulting, movement building, and communications, she has held roles at McKinsey and Company, Purpose, and Obama for America. She has also worked in strategy consulting and social impact roles, ensuring that 92NY’s programming fosters inclusion and accessibility.

Tina Tonielli serves as the US and North American Lead for the Consumer & Business Insights and Analytics organization at Haleon, where she leads a team dedicated to uncovering insights and leveraging analytics to enhance Haleon's competitive edge in the US market. Before joining Haleon, Tina was the Global Consumer Experience Lead at Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, and also spent over 20 years at Johnson & Johnson in various leadership roles. A trained personal coach, Tina is passionate about helping individuals unlock their greatest potential. Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, she is particularly committed to supporting late-diagnosed neurodivergent women in discovering their purpose and happiness, and advocates for earlier diagnosis in girls.

Kay Sargent is a practicing, licensed and certified interior designer and Director of Thought Leadership, Interiors at HOK. With 40 years of experience, she has a passion for using design to transform how and where people work. Kay leads project teams that solve clients’ business and organizational challenges related to real estate business process, strategic planning, workplace strategy, change management and designing for inclusion. Kay is author of Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces, a book that addresses sensory processing, cognitive wellbeing and neurodiversity in the built environment and why and how we need to address it to create neuroinclusive spaces.

Isabel Fields is an ESG Manager dedicated to advancing sustainable and inclusive business practices. At Hearst, she launched the company’s first Neurodiversity@Hearst hiring program and leads the Web Accessibility Task Force, while also driving sustainability strategy and ESG reporting. Her work reflects a commitment to building corporate initiatives that deliver measurable impact for people and the planet. Previously, Isabel served on Oracle’s Social Impact team, where she built partnerships with nonprofits and leveraged technology for social good. She has also held roles at Nike, the United Nations Foundation, and Iron Mountain, consistently championing responsible practices that create lasting change.

The Women’s Council represents an important step forward in our mission to support and empower all people who learn and think differently. With the leadership and guidance of our council members, we are continuing to drive awareness, challenge outdated perceptions, and create meaningful change. Together, we will ensure that all neurodivergent women are believed, supported, and understood.

Visit u.org/adhd-women to check out our resource hub for women with ADHD.

To support Understood’s work empowering women and girls who learn and think differently, visit u.org/women.