Frances West

Frances West is a global business strategist and the founder of FrancesWest&Co, a strategy advisory firm focused on operationalizing diversity and inclusion through digital transformation. Through her work, West advises public and private companies, nonprofits and startups on integrating digital inclusion and purpose-driven innovation into core business strategy, helping organizations drive growth, resilience and long-term value.

West brings more than three decades of experience in global business management, technology sales, emerging market development and organizational leadership. She previously held multiple senior executive roles at IBM, including serving as the company’s first chief accessibility officer. In that role, she led a global, cross-disciplinary team spanning IBM Research and product groups to establish enterprise accessibility standards, influence public policy and advance human-centered technology solutions designed to enable people of all ages and abilities to thrive.

Recognized for her expertise at the intersection of technology, inclusion and policy, West was invited to testify before the U.S. Senate as the sole representative from the IT industry on the importance of advancing the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She currently serves as a board member and adviser to both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, contributing strategic guidance on governance, innovation, ESG and inclusive growth. As a first-generation Asian immigrant, she brings a global and deeply personal perspective to leadership, equity and organizational culture, and was named a Directors to Watch honoree by Private Company Director.

A highly sought-after international speaker, West has delivered TED Talks and keynote addresses at major business, technology and policy forums, including United Nations events and global conferences such as the Consumer Electronics Show, Mobile World Congress, World Congress on Information Technology and SXSW. She is the author of “Authentic Inclusion™ Drives Disruptive Innovation,” a leadership-focused business best seller recognized by CES and SXSW as a top technology business book of the year. Through her advisory work and writing, West continues to champion inclusion as a strategic business imperative that fuels innovation, market expansion and talent development.