Murphy Monroe

Murphy Monroe is an autistic activist, successful executive leader, and gifted inclusion speaker who brings lived experience and eye-opening professional insight to every room he enters.

Diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, and Tourette Syndrome, Monroe spent much of his early life masking and resisting these identities, while also managing a daily, lifelong battle with photophobia, a painful hypersensitivity to light that shaped every aspect of how he moved through the world. Over time, he has not only come to embrace these facets of himself but transformed them into powerful sources of strength, clarity, and connection.

Monroe speaks from a place of deep personal understanding, offering audiences a vivid glimpse into what it means to live in a world not built for your brain—or your body—and how organizations, educators, and leaders can change that.

He is the Executive Director of The Actors Gymnasium, a nationally treasured circus school and theater company, where he has led a transformative turnaround—automating operations, increasing access, and steering the organization through the pandemic into financial strength. Monroe also owns the True REST Float Spa in Skokie, Illinois. Having spent more time in sensory deprivation than nearly anyone on record, he brings a rare depth of insight into nervous system regulation, mindfulness, and sensory accessibility. He has curated a popular community healing space that supports not only neurodivergent individuals but anyone seeking relief, restoration, and calm.

In addition to his organizational leadership, Monroe serves as a City Commissioner in Evanston, Illinois, where he advocates for inclusive public policy, disability access, and full ADA compliance. His civic work deepens his mission to build environments—public and private—where all people can thrive. From boardrooms to classrooms, Monroe delivers powerful keynotes, workshops, and audits that shift mindsets and build skills. His offerings blend storytelling, strategy, and systems thinking—helping audiences move from awareness to action on inclusion, access, and disability justice.