Autistic and Thriving in Tech | Shea Belsky on Leadership, Inclusion & Being Yourself

Autistic self-advocate and tech leader Shea Belsky (Tech Lead @ HubSpot; ex-CTO & co-founder at Mentra; host of Autistic Techie) joins Thick No More to flip old labels into real strengths. We go back to his early years and diagnosis, talk sensory needs and self-advocacy, and get practical about what leaders miss—and how simple changes create belonging and better work.

In this episode:

• “Born This Way” and owning identity

• Early diagnosis vs. today’s language and pop-culture stereotypes

• School, sensory triggers, and finding environments that work

• From Cornell to tech leadership: disclosure, boundaries, and growth

• The business case for inclusion (and the cost of getting it wrong)

• ERGs, remote/hybrid work, and universal design that helps everyone

• Advice for leaders (what to do Monday morning)

• Advice for “hiders” at work: asking for what you need, safely

If this resonated, share it with a friend—and remember: labels are just words. We’re here to change the narrative.

• Website: shaebelsky.com

• Email: hello@shaebelsky.com

• Podcast: Autistic Techie (available on all major platforms)

• LinkedIn: Shea Belsky (search by name)

Connect with Shea