Anne Johnson-Oliss

Anne Johnson-Oliss is the Chief Executive Officer of Minds Untapped, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, where she leads a mission-driven company focused on delivering evidence-based practical strategies to children and families affected by disability. Drawing on more than 30 years in the special education field, with a foundation built on teaching, district-level administration, authorship, and entrepreneurial leadership, she brings an unusual blend of expertise to any group.

With a Master’s degree in Special Education and Child Development, Anne has spent her career designing innovative solutions that close opportunity gaps for marginalized learners, particularly those with autism and cognitive disabilities. She led the development of the U.S. Department of Education’s IDEA Partnership Vendor Brief on Universal Design for Learning and has established global collaborations advancing accessible information with organizations including the United Nations, the National Weather Service, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the National Autism Association, the Academy of American Poets, and Hour of Code.

A published author of widely used instructional resources such as Social Skills for Nonreaders, More Social Skills for Nonreaders, Step Up to Math, and several others, Anne has also written influential whitepapers on authentic access and symbol-supported literacy. Her product leadership includes more than a decade directing and scaling solutions for learners with complex needs.

In 2017, Anne received the Outstanding Alumni of the Year Award from Wright State University for her global impact on literacy and accessibility. In 2019, she accepted the Software and Information Industry Association’s award for Best Game-Based Solution for Students with Special Needs (L3 Skills). Most recently, she was named a 2023 Global Finalist for Innovation in Doha, Qatar, recognizing her forward-thinking contributions to accessibility and educational equity.

Anne’s international consulting work spans sustainable operational efficiencies, preferred practices, and systems-level improvements for organizations seeking to strengthen outcomes for diverse learners. As co-founder of Minds Untapped, she continues to champion innovation, designing digital tools that deliver evidence-based practical strategies to families and children affected by autism.