Daria Gates is Neuroinclusion Practice Lead at Neurodiversity SPARK and a strategic leader driving neuroinclusive change across Northern Ireland’s health and workplace systems. With professional roots in Russia, advanced study in Finland and Germany, and a career shaped in Northern Ireland, Daria brings a uniquely international lens to neuroinclusion and social care.

With over 15 years’ experience in social work, Daria has developed deep expertise in trauma-informed practice, shaped through her work across mental health, safeguarding, and senior leadership roles in acute hospital settings. This foundation underpins her approach to neuroinclusion; recognising the impact of lived experience, systems, and environments on how individuals engage and thrive. Her perspective is further informed by lived experience, with neurodivergence present within her own family.

Daria specialises in translating neurodiversity into practical, human-centred change, helping organisations move beyond compliance to create workplaces where neurodivergent people can genuinely thrive. She is particularly passionate about improving conversations around reasonable adjustments, disclosure, and psychological safety.