Yenn Purkis is an autistic and non-binary advocate, author and presenter. Yenn has a Masters degree in Fine Art from RMIT University. Yenn has given a presentation for TEDx Canberra and has been a frequent keynote presenter at autism and disability events for several years. Yenn has a number of awards, including the 2016 ACT Volunteer of the Year award and a number of other awards for community leadership including being nominated for the Australian of the Year award in 2017. Yenn has worked full-time for the Australian Public Service since 2007. They have facilitated a support group for autistic women and gender diverse folks in Canberra since 2011. Yenn has featured in media interviews for many years and was one of four autistic adults featured in the ABC TV documentary Alone in a Crowded Room. Yenn lives in Canberra, Australia. Tanya Masterman is an autistic parent of an autistic child and co-wrote The Awesome Autistic Go-Go Guide with Yenn Purkis. She is Canberra Coordinator for Gifted 2E Support Australia (a national support group for families of twice-exceptional young people) and a former Events Coordinator for Yellow Ladybugs, an organisation that supports autistic girls and gender diverse young people.
