Neurodiversity @ Deloitte

Tara Buffi is a senior recruiting specialist for Deloitte Services LP, who leads Deloitte’s Neurodiversity@Deloitte program and people with disabilities recruiting efforts.

Tara is passionate about expanding our people with disabilities recruiting efforts at Deloitte. This includes growing Neurodiversity@Deloitte—a strategic initiative that aims to attract and hire neurodiverse candidates to a variety of positions that leverage their strengths and help to increase productivity, creativity, and innovation among teams.

As we wrap up National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Tara shares more about the program and her work at Deloitte.

What is the Neurodiversity@Deloitte program?

Neurodivergent job seekers possess a wide range of unique skills, yet they often have difficulty accessing and securing meaningful employment. Our Neurodiversity@Deloitte program is geared towards identifying, hiring, and supporting this talent pool. Individuals participate in a three‐month apprenticeship with hands-on experience, project work, and a multitude of networking opportunities designed to enhance their professional growth. After successful completion of the program there is an opportunity for full-time employment and pathways for career development and advancement.

Neurodiversity encompasses a spectrum of neurodivergent conditions which express themselves in various ways, including such conditions as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, dyslexia, intellectual giftedness, and dyscalculia, among others.

What impact does this program have on the next generation of talent?

The impact Neurodiversity@Deloitte has on the next generation could be huge! We have created a neurodiverse-friendly recruitment process to help candidates complete the interviewing process. We also created an internal support system called the N@D Buddy/Mentorship program that pairs neurodivergent professionals with Deloitte colleagues (a past participant of our program, or a professional who has self-disclosed as neurodivergent) in a one-on-one mentoring relationship designed to provide support for the present and for their future at Deloitte.

What are Deloitte’s goals to create a unique, inclusive, and diverse workforce?

Our efforts to recruit and retain neurodivergent workers is one of the ways we increase diversity in skills, ways of thinking, and approaches to problem-solving.

How did you personally get involved with leading the program?

Back in 2018, I learned about Specialisterne USA’s Autism@Work movement and thought that Deloitte could benefit from a program like this and help increase productivity within our project teams. Deloitte was so supportive when I presented this initiative, and we held our pilot cohort in 2019.

I am a registered nurse, a mom of a son with attention deficit disorder and I also have attention deficit disorder so I personally have a connection to this program.

Any favorite memories and/or experiences from your involvement with the initiative?

Being involved in this program for the past 4 years, I have experienced so many great memories. One that stands out is during our pilot we offered all of our candidates a 12-week internship. There was not one dry eye in the room, a few candidates said to me that we changed their lives and they never had an opportunity like this before. For me, the best feeling ever is to have a program like this to help our neurodivergent candidates find meaningful careers while having support in place for their success and advancement at Deloitte.

Discover your impact at Deloitte

• Deloitte’s Neurodiversity@Deloitte program consists of a three-month apprenticeship with an opportunity for full-time employment upon successful completion of the three-month apprenticeship. Learn more. about the program.
• As individuals, we all have passion, power, and purpose within us. These help drive our talents, ideas, and abilities. Shining a light on these skills will bring a unique perspective to the work you do and the impact you make at Deloitte. Learn more about our disability inclusion efforts. 
• Discover the pride of working at Deloitte, where you’re part of a community of people united by their drive to make an impact. A place where you’re celebrated for who you are, your curiosity is fueled by challenges, and you are given the tools you need to grow and thrive. Learn more about life at Deloitte.