David Flink

David Flink is a social movement leader on the front lines of the learning rights movement. He imagines a world where one day all learners will be seen, heard and valued. Being identified with dyslexia and ADHD at a young age, Flink later committed his life to students who identified as neurodivergent. In 1998, as a student at Brown University, he founded the mentoring program, Eye to Eye alongside a group of dedicated volunteers. 25 years later, Eye to Eye grew into a program of the Neurodiversity Alliance, the only national organization run for and by people who are neurodiverse.

In addition to being Founder and CEO of the Neurodiversity Alliance, Flink regularly speaks to audiences ranging from students and educators to social entrepreneurs, policymakers, and corporate leaders. As a Senior Eye to Eye Ambassador, he has provided keynote addresses at conferences including the International Dyslexia Association’s Annual Conference, the Education Revolution Conference held in San Francisco’s Oracle Park, and the Arts and Special Education Conference at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.

Flink has served on national nonprofit boards, including Swanee Hunt Alternatives Foundation, Generation Citizen, CAST, and the New Profit Reimagine Learning Advisory Board. He was awarded a Prime Movers Fellowship and was elected to the prestigious Ashoka Fellowship. In addition, he is a Hearts on Fire Visionary, a Pahara-Aspen Institute Fellow, and an Advisor for The Leadership Academy, A2A Alliance, Empower Work, and Story Shares. Flink is also an ambassador for the UCSF Dyslexia Center and a recipient of the Teachers College, Columbia University Alumni Early Career Award. While Flink is proud to receive each honor and award, one of his most unique moments was in 2015 when he found himself celebrated in GQ alongside fellow dyslexic Mark Ruffalo as GQ Man of the Year, honoring those who go above and beyond to raise awareness for social issues. Most recently, Flink was named a 2021 CNN Hero.

Flink holds a master’s degree in dis/ability studies in education from Columbia University and bachelors’ degrees with honors in both education and psychology from Brown University. His first book, "Thinking Differently: An Inspiring Guide for Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities," sets out to expand our understanding of learning and offers new, powerful strategies for teaching, parenting, and supporting the 1 in 5 students with learning differences.