Neurodiversity at If: A journey toward a workplace where everyone belongs

At If, we are at the beginning of an important journey: learning how to embrace neurodiversity and build a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and able to contribute their best.

Image of Mari Ahnefer

Neurodiversity describes the many natural variations in how people think, learn, and interact with the world. It includes autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more, not as deficits but as valuable differences that bring new perspectives and strengths to teams. “Neurodiversity is not something we need to fix. It’s something we need to understand, respect, and appreciate”, says Mari-Liis Ahnefer, Neurodiversity Coach at If.

Listening and learning

Two years ago, If began measuring the experiences of neurodivergent colleagues through its internal Heartbeat survey. The results revealed a clear gap in workplace satisfaction and engagement compared to the broader employee population. “We saw that our neurodivergent colleagues were having different experiences, and that was a wake-up call. It told us we needed to do better, and we were ready to listen,” Ahnefer explains.

Ran Lavie, Head of Diversity, equity and inclusion at If, adds: 
 “We didn’t just want to acknowledge the problem, we wanted to push change. For us, inclusion is about action, and creating a culture where every colleague feels they belong is simply the right thing to do.” In response, If launched initiatives including updated leadership guidelines, awareness sessions, and targeted training programs. These efforts focus on adapting communication styles, rethinking meetings, and fostering team environments where everyone can thrive. 

Ran Lavie, Head of Diversity, equity and inclusion at If.

A coach’s perspective 

As Neurodiversity Coach, Ahnefer draws both on research and on her own lived experience. She highlights that neurodivergence can affect how people respond to noise, light, or the pace of meetings – and that small adjustments can make a big difference. “It’s not about lowering expectations,” she says. “It’s about organizing work in a way that helps people succeed. When colleagues feel safe to talk about their needs, everyone benefits.” 

Mari-Liis Ahnefer, Neurodiversity Coach at If.

Just as biodiversity strengthens an ecosystem, neurodiversity strengthens our workplace

Just the beginning

The first wave of neurodiversity training has already reached leaders in the Baltic countries, and more resources will follow across the organization. Still, If is clear that this is only the start. “We’re at the beginning of this journey,” Ahnefer emphasizes.  “But we’re learning, evolving, and building trust together. Everyone has a role to play.” 

For If, the commitment to neurodiversity is part of a broader Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy. The company believes that supporting different ways of thinking and learning strengthens both individuals and teams. “Just as biodiversity strengthens an ecosystem, neurodiversity strengthens our workplace,” says Ahnefer.  “It brings unique talents, creative problem-solving, and perspectives that help us all.” 

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