Recently recognised as one of the Top 50 Australians Over 50 by Dare Magazine, she surely is a rising force in her niche field.
“Being recognised in the Top 50 Over 50 list feels deeply affirming. It tells me it’s never too late to do the thing you dreamed of as a child. And it highlights that neurodivergent leadership is valuable, powerful, and necessary. I hope this visibility inspires other neurodivergent people,” says Madeleine Jane Lobsey.
Madeleine is the founder of Wondiverse, a neurodivergent-led social enterprise that designs playful, neuroinclusive spaces, events and training. Her work is directed at creating spaces where people feel at home and as she says, where people ‘can just be’.
Wondiverse works with organisations, councils and cultural institutions to ensure that neurodivergent people can access, participate in and lead in their communities.
It all started when Madeleine was a kid and her friends played mums and dads. “I would be busy playing ‘businesses’, taking imaginary calls, writing letters and running a place called ‘Wondiverse’,” says Madeleine, who did not know she was ADHD and autistic then.
“I just knew I didn’t quite fit anywhere. I dreamed up a world where everyone belonged,” says the leader who at nearly 49 in 2023 was formally diagnosed as AuDHD (Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) combined). And that is exactly when the name Wondiverse clicked for her. “I saw diverse hiding right there in the middle and decided to make it real,” she says.
Wonderful work at Wondiverse
Since opening up doors in 2023, Wondiverse has partnered with major arts organisations like the Museum of Contemporary Art, Melbourne Museum, Sydey Dance Company and Brisbane Powerhouse among others.
The team has also designed neuroinclusive events like Create Space Arts Initiative, MCA Mega Draw and Build the Future etc. It has also trained government bodies, councils and cultural institutions in neuroinclusive practice, alongside building innovative activations blending creativity, connection and inclusion.
In the next five years, she wants to scale the organisation globally for neurodivergent emerging leaders to rise and lead.
“I think inclusion has often meant letting neurodivergent people in, but still expecting us to play by neurotypical rules. I want to flip that,” says this transformational leader.
The real-world Influencer
Originally trained as an actor, director and writer in the arts and worked in theatre and storytelling sectors, Madeleine was used to ‘quirky’, ‘intense’ or ‘eccentric’ – labels people put on her.
She later trained in formal qualifications in leadership, coaching and strategy, all of which she wants to keep using to make the greatest possible impact as a speaker, writer and leader.
“I’ve mentored everyone from founders to Olympians to Members of Parliament, helping them step into bold leadership. I’ve also worked extensively in the disability sector, including as General Manager of
The A List, a national organisation for autistic and neurodivergent youth,” says the proud neurodivergent woman, herself a parent to three autistic and ADHD teens, who she says, continue to teach her each day. Also, she homeschools two of them.
“Everything I do is driven by story, by helping people understand themselves and others more deeply, and by building spaces where we get to co-create the future,” she says.
Her role models
Madeleine has always been drawn to people who don’t just challenge the system, but reinvent it. She draws inspiration from Grace Tame, Nakkiah Lui, Katie Koullas, Em Rusciano, and Ali France, each of who use their voice to create change.
Being recognised in the Top 50 Over 50 list feels deeply affirming. It tells me it’s never too late to do the thing you dreamed of as a child. And it highlights that neurodivergent leadership is valuable, powerful, and necessary.
“I hope this visibility inspires other neurodivergent people, especially those still figuring it out, to know their voice and way of seeing the world matter.”
More about Wondiverse at www.wondiverse.com.au
