Justin Nelson approaches the subject of neurodiversity from two directions. Professionally, he is a Managing Director at J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Connecticut, heading the Asset Management and Financial Principals Coverage Team. Personally, he understands the barriers that people on the autism spectrum encounter when they try to build careers.
That combination shapes his argument that financial services firms should rethink how they recruit and manage neurodiverse employees.
The Leader’s Perspective
Running a team that oversees more than $15 billion in assets, Nelson values analytical thinking and careful attention to detail. He sees those qualities in many neurodiverse individuals, who may have a harder time connecting with others yet show great creativity and strong computational skill.
He believes companies must take the first step. “Employers really need to change how they think about engaging with these people,” says the JP Morgan executive. That means building hiring processes that do not hinge on social fluency and adopting management habits that offer clarity. Justin Nelson JP Morgan suggests assigning concrete tasks and explaining how each one fits into a larger structure, an approach that helps neurodiverse employees produce exact, dependable work.
The Advocate’s Commitment
Justin Nelson’s involvement extends to nonprofit work. He supports Adelphi University’s Bridges Program, which gives high-functioning students on the spectrum a network of support, and Broad Futures, a charity that teaches employers about neurodiversity and helps them choose candidates.
He considers the shift from school to the workplace the hardest point for neurodiverse people, largely because of interviews. Both organizations aim to ease that passage.
The framework he offers is practical and inexpensive: adapt interviews, provide structure, and work with specialized partners. Coming from a JP Morgan leader who manages a large book of client assets, the message carries weight for peers across banking. Nelson’s closing point is a confident one. “If you can lay out the rules and know how to work and communicate with that group of people, you probably have some of your best employees.” Refer to this article for more information.
Find more information about Justin Nelson JP Morgan on https://tfn.tufts.edu/blog/news/2011/10/01/member-spotlight-justin-nelson-a98-opening-doors-to-students-at-jp-morgan/