Tom helps companies understand the transformative potential that designing organizational systems around the needs of extreme users like people with autism can have.
Tom’s keynotes are filled with inspiring stories as well as practical and actionable ideas that can help any organization be more inclusive, scalable and effective.
Unreasonable LaunchPad
TEDxCoconutGrove
United Nations World Autism Awareness Day
Press
Speaking Clients
Tom D’Erihas dedicated his career to unleashing human potential by creating organizational systems and culture that empower people to grow. Tom is the Co-Founder and COO of Rising Tide Car Wash, an organization that employs over 90 individuals with autism in a successful carwash business. Tom is also the Co-Founder of Rising Tide U an organization dedicated to teaching others how to harness the autism advantage.
In partnership with University of Miami and the Taft Foundation, Tom created The Autism Advantage, the first step-by-step online course that’s designed to help parents learn how to build sustainable social enterprises that employ their loved ones with autism. As of September 2022, Tom’s students have created over 195 jobs for people with autism in 24 businesses.Tom is a Forbes 30 Under 30 social entrepreneur and the forthcoming author of The Power ofPotential: How a Non-Traditional Workforce Can Lead You to Run Your Business Better.
Tom deeply believes that all people have the potential to contribute to society and that businesses can improve their market position by committing themselves to unleashing this potential. Tom currently resides in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, reading, martial arts and scuba diving.
Praise For The Power Of Potential
“Riveting. Read it and learn how to overcome some of the most entrenched problems that hold companies back from scaling.”
Chris Yeh
Author, Blitzscaling and The Alliance
“This provocative, informative, and engaging book contains the seeds of a revolution – an inclusive future in which businesses unlock the hidden potential of employees with autism”
Steve Silberman
Author, NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity
“Everybody who is interested in getting people with autism employed in a job that gives them a sense of purpose should read this book”
Temple Grandin
Author, The Autistic Brain and Thinking in Pictures
“One of the top ten business books of 2023. The advice on hiring alone will have you hiring art teachers to engineers and nurses – in half the time with double the success.”
Chip Heath
Professor, Stanford Business School, coauthor of four NYT bestsellers including Switch and The Power of Moments.