Public Service Neurodiversity Week/Speakers

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Hosts and moderators

Dani Marshall (she/her)

• Event: Main event (host)
• Role: Project Management Advisor
• Department: Indigenous Services Canada
• About: Dani Marshall is a Project Management Advisor at Indigenous Services Canada, where they manage essential IM/IT projects within the Children, Families and Learning division. With six years of federal public service experience, they specialize in Indigenous social policy reform and implementation, particularly in child and family services operations, with expertise in implementation and change management approaches. Diagnosed with ADHD, Dyscalculia, and Dyslexia, Dani brings lived experience to their neurodiversity advocacy work as an active member of Infinity – The Network for Neurodivergent Public Servants. Their journey from spending most of their childhood education in special education classes in the 1980s and 1990s, when expectations were that they wouldn't succeed beyond minimum wage work, to their current leadership role demonstrates the untapped potential within the neurodivergent community. Beyond their ISC role, Dani helps facilitate the eight-week Mindful Leadership Development Program, combining mindfulness techniques with leadership soft skills, and serves as a senior volunteer with Girl Guides of Canada. Their interdepartmental initiatives reflect their passion for building bridges across diverse communities and perspectives.

Annie Godon (she/her/elle)

• Event: Main event (co-host) and Executive panel (moderator)
• Role: Occupational Health and Safety Officer
• Department: Office of the Secretary to the Governor General (OSGG)
• About: Annie Godon is an Occupational Health and Safety Officer at the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General (OSGG), where she supports the development of safe, inclusive, and psychologically healthy workplaces. Since joining the federal public service in 2022, she has held roles at Health Canada, the Treasury Board Secretariat, and Natural Resources Canada, specializing in Workplace Accommodations, Disability Management, and employee well-being. Annie holds a degree in Psychoeducation and applies a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to her work. As a neurodivergent public servant, she brings both lived experience and subject matter expertise in accessibility and the Duty to Accommodate. She currently serves as Vice Chair for Professional Development on the steering committee of Infinity – The Network for Neurodivergent Public Servants, contributing to the advancement of neuroinclusion across the federal public service.

Sancho Angulo (he/him)

• Event: Executive panel (moderator)
• Role: Manager, Accessibility
• Department: Canadian Heritage
• About: Sancho Angulo is Manager of Accessibility in the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Office at Canadian Heritage. He brings extensive expertise in accessibility, inclusion, and privacy, having held progressively senior positions across several federal institutions, including the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and Canada Revenue Agency. Diagnosed as autistic at the age of 13, Sancho is a nationally recognized advocate for neuroinclusion in the federal public service. He is the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Infinity – The Network for Neurodivergent Public Servants. He has been recognized for his leadership with multiple awards, including the Public Service Award of Excellence. He holds a Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management and a Master of Public Policy and Administration, both from Carleton University.

Speakers

Andrew Brown (he/him)

• Event: Greeting from senior leaders
• Role: Associate Deputy Minister
• Department: Canadian Heritage
• About: To follow

Alex Benay (he/him)

• Event: Executive panel
• Role: Associate Deputy Minister, Enterprise Pay Coordination
• Department: Public Services and Procurement Canada
• About: To follow

James Gilbert (he/him)

• Event: Executive panel
• Role: Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Service Policy
• Department: Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
• About: James Gilbert was appointed to the position of Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of the Strategic and Service Policy Branch at Employment and Social Development Canada in February 2024. James has over 30 years experience in senior executive positions in policy and communications from a variety of departments, including Employment and Social Development Canada, Veterans Affairs Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. James holds a Master of Arts degree from McGill University. James is a dad to two great kids and likes to cook, practice yoga, and travel. James identifies as neurodiverse (ASD, ADHD) and is a passionate advocate for the rights of the underdog (whoever they may be).

Diane Allan (she/her)

• Role: Associate Vice President, Policy and Programs
• Event: Executive panel
• Role: Associate Vice President, Policy and Programs
• Department: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
• About: Diane Allan is the Associate Vice- President of Policy and Programs at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Prior to starting her public service career, Diane worked in the biotechnology sector for a few years. In the 90s, she began her public service career managing grants and contributions programs and continually progressed in more senior roles in both policy development and operational delivery within the Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Transport Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. She has played a pivotal leadership role in regulatory, science delivery and operational mandates which have advanced organizational and Government of Canada priorities through continuous partnerships, awareness and engagement. Diane is a scientist by training with degrees in biochemistry, animal physiology, and cellular and molecular medicine. Previously the Chief Diversity Officer and in her current role as Co-Champion of the National Indigenous Advisory Circle at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, as well as the Executive Champion for the public service's Infinity Network, she is a strong advocate for equity, diversity and inclusiveness.

Daniel Paulin (he/him)

• Event: Panel on change management
• Role: Manager
• Department: Correctional Service Canada (CSC)
• About: Daniel Paulin is an IT manager at CSC, he is also an autistic person with ADHD, parent of ND children, an Infinity network steering committee member and a Speaker with the Federal Speakers’ Forum for Lived Experience and the founder of CSC’s Network for Neurodivergent Employees. Daniel was diagnosed late in life as part of his recovery from burnout and journey of self-understanding and acceptance. He currently focuses his efforts on raising awareness so that others can avoid the mistakes that lead to his burnout, giving allies the tools they need to help their colleagues and also advocating for the ND community to make sure we have a voice when it comes to shaping policies in the federal government

John Ward (he/him)

• Event: Panel on change management
• Role: Human Resources Specialist Advisor
• Department: Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
• About: John T. Ward, PhD is an HR Advisor in Character Leadership Program, where he supports disability inclusion, Indigenous knowledge, ethics, and equity-focused initiatives. A professor at the University of Sydney, John specializes in Indigenous disability knowledge and research methodologies, informed by lived experience with dyslexia, ADHD, and light sensitivity. With a PhD in Education from the University of Ottawa, John has dedicated his career to advancing accessibility, particularly in the context of learning disabilities. He has provided expert guidance across several federal departments, including Environment and Climate Change Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. John serves as Vice President of the Interdepartmental Network of Disability and Accessibility Chairs and is the author of Indigenous Disability Studies—a 2025 top-ranked publication in disability law and accessibility. A Sharing Circle facilitator and advocate for wholistic knowledge systems, John brings a unique and inclusive perspective to PSNW through his commitment to Indigenous and disability-informed leadership.

Alejandro Gonzales (he/him)

• Event: Panel on change management
• Role: Senior Advisor, Organizational Leadership Development & Change Management
• Department: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
• About: Alejandro Gonzalez moved from Mexico to Canada in 2001 with his wife and joined the Public Service in 2007. Since 2010 started leading Introduction to Change Management sessions, and from 2013 he’s been sharing his passion for mindfulness at work, offering sessions that bring calm, focus, and connection to colleagues. Over the years, he has deepened his learning through different mindfulness trainings, always curious about how mindful practices can support change and leadership. Today, he works with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in the Enterprise Change and Learning Academy Branch, and also co-chairs the Interdepartmental Organizational Change Network (IOCN). Although Alejandro doesn’t identify as neurodivergent himself, he is part of Infinity as an ally. His wife identifies as neurodivergent, which gives him a personal connection to the community and a deep appreciation for its strengths and challenges. He sees his role as creating supportive and inclusive spaces where mindfulness practices can be tools for resilience, growth, and well-being.