Tjerk Feitsma (MSc): Sociologist, Impact Entrepreneur & Architect of Neuro-Inclusion

Executive Profile: A Mission for Cognitive Liberty

Tjerk Feitsma (born 1980, Amsterdam) is a Dutch sociologist and seasoned social entrepreneur whose life’s work is dedicated to the advancement of neuro-inclusion and the protection of cognitive diversity. As the Director of the Neurodiversity Foundation and the Founder of 2Tango, he operates at the complex intersection of sociological theory, grassroots activism, and high-tech innovation.

Tjerk’s approach is rooted in the belief that the “human operating system” is inherently diverse, and that society’s current failure to accommodate this diversity is a design flaw rather than a biological one. He works to correct this through systemic change, inclusive technology, and the governance principles of the “Commons.”

Academic Foundation: The Sociology of Dignity & The Commons

Tjerk earned his Master of Science (MSc) in Culture, Organization, and Management from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in 2007. His academic work laid the groundwork for his later ventures, focusing on how groups can reclaim agency from centralized, rigid institutions.

• The Urban Commons: Tjerk is a leading proponent of “Commoning”—the practice of managing shared resources (social, digital, or physical) through community-led governance. He applies this to neurodiversity by viewing “care” and “communication” as shared commons rather than commodities to be bought or sold.

• Systemic Transitions: His work explores how modern bureaucratic systems often strip individuals of their autonomy. Tjerk specializes in redesigning these systems to prioritize human dignity, ensuring that the neurodivergent community is viewed not as a group to be “fixed,” but as a vital minority that holds the keys to social and technical innovation.

A Legacy of Social Innovation: Terra Futura & deWereldRedden

Long before neurodiversity became a mainstream corporate topic, Tjerk was pioneering digital platforms for social activism. In 2008, he co-founded Terra Futura, a lab for social innovation that mobilized thousands of young citizens to engage with sustainability and ethics.

• 100,000+ Good Deeds: Through the platform deWereldRedden.nl (SaveTheWorld.nl), Tjerk developed “Positive Action” tools that have logged over 100,000 recorded acts of civic virtue.

• Civic Impact: His work with Terra Futura proved that large-scale systemic change starts with lowering the friction for individual action. This project won the “Best Youth Project of the Netherlands” and set the stage for his later work in assistive technology.

The Neurodiversity Foundation: A Global Lighthouse

Established in 2018, the Neurodiversity Foundation has grown under Tjerk’s leadership from a local initiative into an international powerhouse for advocacy and education.

• Neurodiversity Pride Day: Now celebrated in over 50 countries, this global event serves as a counter-narrative to “disorder-based” views of neurology. It celebrates the pride and unique contributions of those with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and other neurotypes.

• The Neurodiversity Education Academy: This branch translates inclusive values into practical routines for classrooms and workplaces. Tjerk consults with universities and global corporations to move beyond “accessibility” toward “neuro-congruence”—environments where the culture and space are designed to match the brain’s natural needs.

• Autvinder & Public Policy: Through the Autvinder competition, Tjerk showcases autistic ingenuity, while his Neuro-Inclusive Politician Award incentivizes elected officials to adopt policies that protect cognitive liberty.

2Tango & The ATHENS Initiative: Engineering Autonomy

Through his social impact company 2Tango, Tjerk develops what he calls “Technology for the Human Soul”—tools designed to reduce social friction and increase connection.

• The SIGNS Project: A flagship R&D project developing a neuro-inclusive sign language and AI-supported communication interface. It creates a digital bridge for non-verbal or communication-diverse individuals to express complex thoughts on their own terms.

• ATHENS Research Consortium: Tjerk initiated the Assistive Tech for Health, Equality, and Network Support (ATHENS) consortium. This collaborative network brings together researchers and developers to democratize access to assistive tools, ensuring they are built with the community, not just for them.

• Family Signs: A recipient of the 2024 Healthcare Innovation Award, this project focuses on the family unit, providing communication tools that strengthen bonds when traditional language fails.

Strategic Consulting & International Keynotes

Tjerk is a high-level strategist for organizations navigating the “Future of Work.” His keynotes are sought after for their blend of deep sociological theory and practical entrepreneurial grit.

• The European Space Agency (ESA): Consulting on cognitive diversity and psychological safety in high-stakes, high-performance environments.

• Global Tech & Justice: Delivering insights to giants like Google and ASML on how neuro-inclusive teams drive 30% more innovation. He also advises the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security on the human side of systemic innovation and digital rights.

Recognition & Future Research

Tjerk’s track record is backed by significant institutional support:

• €2,000,000 NWO Research Grant: Starting in 2026, Tjerk is a lead partner in a massive 4-year project funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) to study the long-term impact of assistive technologies on social equality.

• 1st Place RAAK-award 2024: National recognition for excellence in applied research and industry collaboration.

• Social Impact Award against Loneliness: For 2Tango’s work in building digital bridges for isolated individuals.

To read more, also see my more detailed page: https://tjerkfeitsma.com/about-2/

Work with Tjerk: Strategy, Keynotes & Collaboration

Tjerk is selective about new projects to ensure maximum impact for his ongoing foundations and missions. If you are looking to collaborate, hire him for a keynote, or seek strategic consultancy on neuro-inclusion, it is still likely that the answer is yes, if you give the full information at the start: please be as concrete as possible in your initial message, the less questions that need to be asked, the more likely it is Tjerk will say yes. .

How to reach out: To ensure a swift response, please include the following in your message:

1. The Objective: What are you trying to build or change?

2. The Audience: Who is this for (employees, students, the public)?

3. The Resources: What is the timeline and (where relevant) the available budget?

Direct Channels:

• LinkedIn: Connect with Tjerk (Recommended for initial intros)

• Email: tjerk@neurodiversiteit.nl or tjerkfeitsma@hotmail.com

• WhatsApp: [Message directly] (For urgent inquiries or confirmed partners)

“Don’t just ask for a conversation; tell me what we are going to achieve together. I look forward to building the future of neuro-inclusion with you.”