Chris Hooten

Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them) is a facilitator, speaker, writer, and accessibility coach specializing in workplace inclusion for neurodivergent and gender-expansive leaders. Hooten holds a master's degree in education and human development from George Washington University, with a focus on supporting students from historically underserved communities. As a certified NeuroMindfulness Coach accredited by the International Coaching Federation, Hooten has also served as an administrator at a school with a significant neurodivergent student population.

Hooten has been recognized as a LinkedIn Top Facilitation Voice and NeuroMindfulness Coach, advising government agencies, universities, nonprofits, and businesses on strategies to support diverse stakeholders. Over a career spanning more than 15 years, Hooten has worked with organizations such as the American Bar Association Tax Section, Washington State DEI Empowerment Conference, Seattle Information Technology, and Washburn University to advance workplace accessibility and neurodiversity inclusion. Hooten's work focuses on helping organizations welcome, promote, and address the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, particularly those from the Global Majority, women, and LGBTQ+ communities.

Hooten founded an intersectional neurodiversity consultancy and developed the 4-D Model of Neuro-inclusive Communication, which advances direct, deliberate, descriptive, and diverse communication strategies for neurodiverse teams. Hooten authored Seattle Information Technology's "Neuro-inclusive Communication in the Workplace Guide," and has worked with clients including Bertschi School, Bastyr University, Washburn University, the American Bar Association Tax Section, and Tacoma Community College. The consultancy focuses on building neuro-inclusive and gender-affirming workplaces through leadership development, policy support, and coaching.

A central aspect of Hooten's work is addressing communication challenges in neurodivergent teams and highlighting how traditional workplace structures often do not accommodate neurodiverse employees. The 4-D Model of Neuro-inclusive Communication is designed to bridge this gap. Hooten advocates for moving away from medicalized, deficit-based narratives about neurodiversity and adopting an intersectional, affirming approach that values lived experiences. Hooten's work has been featured in "ADHD reWired," "The Equity Gap," and "Untethered to Rooted Podcast," contributing to the ongoing conversation on neurodiversity equity and workplace inclusion.