This episode is part of our special Good Humans series chronicling incredible conversations with some of the most inspiring people. Learn more about Good Humans here.

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Overview

Meet Meghana. This high-schooler is the founder of Neurodiversity Horizons, a nonprofit that aims to increase public accommodation for people with disabilities. Neurodiversity Horizons has 22 international chapters (Switzerland, Australia, France, India, UK, South Africa, Canada, and all over the United States). She runs social media campaigns to generate awareness and launched a podcast that has been heard in more than 11 countries. She has spoken about this initiative at the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit to 5,000+ attendees. It’s an honor to celebrate the diversity of the human brain with this Gen-Z founder. We love her moxie and how she’s boldly making the change she wants to see in the world. We’re rooting for you Meghana!

Today’s Guest

Meghana Gunturi, High Schooler in Southern California and Founder of Neurodiversity Horizons

“There are no rules that we know to play by. We don’t have an outline, so we just figure out the next best step and run with it.”

— Meghana Gunturi, High Schooler in Southern California and Founder of Neurodiversity Horizons

Episode Transcript

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Episode Highlights

Meghana’s story and journey to where she is today (3:00)
What is neurodiversity and some of the stigmas surrounding it (8:21)
About Neurodiversity Horizons (12:00)
Meghana’s love for entrepreneurship (20:00)
Neurodiversity Horizons’s board (24:00)
Gen Z and the future of the sector (27:00)
Meghana’s ultimate dream for philanthropy and advocacy (33:00)
Favorite charity other than Neurodiversity Horizons: Best Buddies (36:00)
Favorite human quality: Kindness and teamwork (36:00)
What the nonprofit community could learn from Meghana’s experience? (41:00)
Meghana’s One Good Thing: Perseverance. (44:00)
How to connect with Neurodiversity Horizons (46:00)

Powerful quotes

“The education about neurodiversity gave her a completely different life.” -Meghana

“There are different ways of thinking, and different spectrums of thinking.” -Meghana

“It is fully possible and you should never tell yourself you can’t do something.” -Meghana

“The mosaic of all of us brings something different to the table. Each of us brings something to learn.” -Becky

“The more understanding we get, the more compassionate we get, the better listeners we become, and all of these things are second nature to people in fundraising.” -Becky

“Our entire board is high schoolers. It is a fully youth-led nonprofit.” -Meghana

“There are no rules that we know to play by. We don’t have an outline, so we just figure out the next best step and run with it.” -Meghana

“We just did some research, asked some friends, and we figured it out.” -Meghana

“If you can make their phone light up, you will most likely get an answer.” -Meghana

“My ultimate dream is to make an impact on the world that people can’t forget because it is everlasting. I wanted to make a positive impact on a newer movement. My goals are to make schools safer for neurodiverse kids, increase learning accommodations for neurodiverse kids, and help neurodiverse children find their voice, and let neurodiverse people tell their own story.” -Meghana

“A lot of my advocacy in general has taught me a lot about teamwork.” -Meghana

“All of the teamwork and kindness has shown me all the power that innate human quality has.” -Meghana

“Nonprofits can learn the power of fearlessness from this story.” -Meghana

“Perseverance is the secret to any success.” -Meghana

“Everyone has their moments of hardships and days where they feel like giving up, but that perseverance through the thick and thin with yourself and others will make you stronger than you realize.” -Meghana