Frances West

Frances West is the founder of FrancesWest&Co, a global strategy advisory company focusing on operationalizing diversity inclusion through digital transformation. West and her expert partners help public, private, non-profit, and start-ups thrive and grow through digital inclusion and purpose-driven innovation strategy.

West has 30+ years of global business management, technology sales, emerging market development and organizational leadership experience. She held numerous executive positions, including being IBM’s first Chief Accessibility Officer where she managed a global team from IBM Research to establish IT accessibility standards, shape government policies, and develop human first enterprise technology and solutions enabling all people to reach their highest potential, regardless of their age or ability. Because of her expertise, West was invited as the sole IT industry representative to testify before the US Senate on the need to pass the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

West is a board member/advisor of both for-profit and non-profit companies. As a first-generation Asian immigrant, she brings a unique personal perspective in addition to her board base global business background, especially on topics such as DEI and ESG. West was recognized as the 2021 Directors to Watch by the Private Company Director.

A globally sought-after public speaker, West has delivered TedTalk, keynotes at business conferences, employee town halls, and policy forums such as the United Nations international events and global IT conferences such as Mobile World Congress, World Congress on Information Technology, Consumer Electronics Show and SXSW.

West is the author of the book “Authentic Inclusion™ Drives Disruptive Innovation,” a C-suite oriented cultural and digital transformation leadership best seller selected by CES and SXSW as one of the 2019 Technology Business Book of the year.

West and her expert partners help clients to understand and operationalize inclusion as a business imperative from the very top and guide them in formulating technology innovation and institutional practice strategy to achieve market expansion, brand differentiation and talent acquisition.