Category: bring different

Human-Centered AI with Derek Crager

Written by techsupport on October 21, 2025.

Derek Crager is a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD professional who spent a lifetime misunderstood — until he found his voice in technology. With a background in industrial reliability and a mind wired for pattern recognition, Derek turned personal struggle into purpose, founding Practical AI and the community hub AIforAutistics.com.

Through his work, Derek helps neurodivergent individuals harness AI not just to cope — but to create, earn, and thrive. His flagship tool, Pocket Mentor, offers voice-powered guidance in industrial settings, proving that AI can be both human-centered and practical.

Toastmasters, Public Speaking and Making Connections with Judi Uttal and Dr. Sasha Zeedyk

Written by techsupport on October 20, 2025.

Judi Uttal is president of the Orange County Asperger’s Support Group, a nonprofit organization improving the quality of life for individuals and families dealing with high-functioning autism. She is a member of several organizations, all working to support the neurodiverse community. In 2022, Judi founded the Autism in Entertainment Workgroup to help support inclusion in the entertainment industry. She is the mother of a 33-year-old son who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of three.

Dr. Sasha Zeedyk is an Associate Professor at California State University in Fullerton. Her research is mainly focused on the social and behavior skills of youth with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities across the course of development. She is interested in understanding how behavior problems and social skills relate to social, mental health, and academic outcomes for these youth, as well as how these skills impact their parents’ psychological well-being. Recently, she has begun to study postsecondary outcomes for youth with ASD who attend college.

Career, Determination and Animation with Jorge Gutierrez

Written by Gilda Evans on August 24, 2025.

Emmy and Annie Award-winning Jorge R. Gutierrez is a Mexican animator, painter, voice actor, writer and director. A CalArts Experimental Animation BFA & MFA graduate, Gutierrez has completed various films, cartoons, and paintings exploring his love affair with Mexican pop and folk culture. He was the Director & Co-Writer of the Guillermo del Toro produced animated feature The Book of Life, which earned him a 2014 Golden Globe Award nomination. Along with his wife and muse, Sandra Equihua, they created the multiple Emmy Award-winning animated series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, for Nickelodeon. Gutierrez most recently created, wrote, and directed the event series Maya and the Three for Netflix which won 2 Annie Awards, and 4 Emmys. Gutierrez is currently writing and directing a Netflix animated feature named I, Chihuahua with Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias.