Frances West

Frances West had led a decorated career encompassing global business management, emerging market development, organisational leadership and technology sales. Across her 30+ years of experience, Frances has also been dedicated to operationalising diversity and inclusion via digital transformation. Developing human-first enterprise technology that enables all people to achieve their best regardless of age or ability, Frances passionately advocates for the importance of diversity and inclusion in professional settings. Now globally sought-after as a public speaker, Frances is renowned for sharing her expertise on operationalising inclusion and why inclusion is a strategic business imperative that drives disruptive innovation.

Before forging her reputation as an advocate for inclusion, Frances worked a highly successful career with IBM. In 1979, Frances became a System Engineer in the Data Processing Division for IBM, kickstarting her incredible 37-year career with the firm. Some of Frances’ most prominent roles for IBM include System Engineer Manager, Global Strategy Program Director, Director of the Global Financial Services Solution, Director of the Human Ability and Accessibility Center and most notably Chief Accessibility Officer of IBM. Named as the first Chief Accessibility Officer for IBM, Frances was responsible for establishing IT accessibility standards and producing human-centric technology that created an inclusive workplace environment and enabled people to reach their highest potential in their personal and professional life.

After 37 successful years with IBM, Frances moved on to become the Chair of the Strategy and Development Committee of G3ict – The Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs. Working with a variety of governments, academics and private sectors, Frances sat at the helm of a company dedicated to transforming the rights of people with disabilities into a business initiative. In 2016, Frances launched her own company, becoming the Founder of FrancesWest&Co – a global strategy advisory focussed on achieving technology inclusion and transforming business culture.  In 2019, Frances also became a Faculty Instructor for the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and in 2021 she began work as a Member of the Board of Directors for 3Play Media. In addition to her commitments in business, Frances has also spoken for the US Department of State and published the bestselling book Authentic Inclusion Drives Disruptive Innovation.

Now hired as a powerful and thought-provoking keynote speaker, Frances is on a mission to make the world a more diverse and inclusive place. Speaking to a variety of CEOs, government leaders, academics and corporate clients, Frances illuminates the path towards a new intersectional workplace, which prioritises parity for all people. Having formerly spoken for the likes of Google, the United Nations, ING and Harvard University, it comes with no surprise that Frances was invited to deliver the TEDx talk Authentic Inclusion: What Is It And Why It Matters? If you are looking for a speaker who will put into context the transformational initiatives that will create the next ‘normal’, hire inspirational DE&I speaker Frances West today!