David Smith

Managing Director - Employ for Ability Pty Ltd and is a Neurodiversity Employment Specialist

David Smith is the Managing Director of Employ for Ability Pty Ltd and is a neurodiversity employment specialist. David has over 30 years in leadership roles in the defence force, professional services and the recruitment sector. David is showing organisations that people with an ASD diagnosis and other neurodiverse conditions. are not disabled but different (as all people are different) and can provide organisations with a competitive advantage. David has assisted government and private sector clients by providing education, training and advice to assist the employment of over 130 neurodiverse candidates and has presented on “The neurodiversity advantage” to a number of forums in the region. David has built a strong network with local community groups, disability employment services (DES) providers, the Canberra Business Chamber and is the Chair of the ACT Inclusion council and a member of the Marymead Autism Advisory Board. Employ for Ability was created in 2019 and is building a reputation for helping neurodivergent people gain employment where others have tried and not achieved results. Employ for Ability provide supports to help people reach their goals in areas of strength. In 2019 David was awarded an Outstanding Alumnus Award from Oxford University for his work on Neurodiversity employment. In 2022, Employ for Ability is the ACT Winner in the Telstra Best of Business awards under building communities. David has completed post graduate qualifications in Autism, Organisational Development, Training and Development and has an undergrad degree in Science from UNSW ADFA. David completed the Oxford University Advanced Management and Leadership Program in 2016. David is married to Anne and has 3 adult children, his youngest is Neurodiverse.