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Frances West

Frances West

Keynote Speaker: Internationally Recognized Thought Leader, Strategy Advisor & Women-in-Technology Trailblazer; Former IBM Chief Accessibility Officer

Frances West Biography

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.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Frances West and other top speakers and celebrities.

Frances West Speaking Topics

Purpose, Profit and Principle: The Path to Inclusive Digital Transformation

Frances’ focus here is on the implications of technology and the 4th Industrial Revolution, examining why we must think human-first and act holistically to fulfill tech’s promise to serve and delight all humans.

Taking It Personally: Gaining Strength from Your Ethnicity, Your Family to Live Authentically

In this timely talk, Frances speaks about why bringing your whole life to work strengthens your inner compass and helps manage the challenges of adversity and the disruption of the unknown, based on her personal journey as a trailblazing woman in tech, from non-English speaking Asian immigrant to the C-suite at IBM. She covers how to lead as an Asian immigrant woman in times of change or crisis.

Best of Both Worlds: Why and how Asian Value creates Authentic American Leadership

Frances talks from the heart about the myths and truths surrounding Asian women who lead. She shares personal stories of challenges encountered and overcome and how she manages through turbulence. Her insights are drawn from her three decades ascending through the ranks and reaching the top of the corporate ladder at IBM. Frances’ perspective on building consensus and relationships to foster long-lasting loyalty offers a holistic strategy valuable for every woman, of any ethnicity.

Human First Design and the Inclusive Digital Workplace: A Blueprint to Removing Barriers and Driving Value

Frances talks about how to operationalize inclusion holistically from the top down and across all functions, so it scales and sustains. She takes a close look at why technology is not fulfilling its promise and how we can better prepare the workforce of the future.

Authentic Inclusion: The Strategic Business Imperative that Drives Disruptive Innovation

Learn from this Insightful talk on new perspectives that will inspire leaders to achieve disruptive innovation through authentic inclusion, offering a strategic blueprint for business to operationalize inclusion.

Frances West Videos

Frances West: Reframe inclusion
Authentic Inclusion: An Interview with Frances West - YouTube
Authentic Inclusion Drives Disruptive Innovation

How do I book Frances West to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Frances West for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Frances West, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Frances West or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Frances West for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Frances West, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Frances West are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Frances West, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Frances West speak about?

Frances West is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Technology, Empowerment, Women in Business, Influential Women, Female Leadership, Women's Empowerment, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Futurism, Diversity, Asian Heritage, Finance, Business, Leadership, Business Leadership, STEM, Women, Science, Women in Tech, Women's History Month, Social Activism and Thought Leadership.

Where does Frances West travel from?

Frances West generally travels from Boston, MA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Frances West?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Frances West for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Frances West for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Frances West or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Frances West is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Technology, Empowerment and Women in Business. The estimated speaking fee range to book Frances West for live events is $20,000 - $30,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Frances West generally travels from Boston, MA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Tiffany Yu, Sylvia Acevedo and Tracy Chou. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Frances West for an upcoming event.

Frances West Speaking Topics

  • Purpose, Profit and Principle: The Path to Inclusive Digital Transformation

    Frances’ focus here is on the implications of technology and the 4th Industrial Revolution, examining why we must think human-first and act holistically to fulfill tech’s promise to serve and delight all humans.

  • Taking It Personally: Gaining Strength from Your Ethnicity, Your Family to Live Authentically

    In this timely talk, Frances speaks about why bringing your whole life to work strengthens your inner compass and helps manage the challenges of adversity and the disruption of the unknown, based on her personal journey as a trailblazing woman in tech, from non-English speaking Asian immigrant to the C-suite at IBM. She covers how to lead as an Asian immigrant woman in times of change or crisis.

  • Best of Both Worlds: Why and how Asian Value creates Authentic American Leadership

    Frances talks from the heart about the myths and truths surrounding Asian women who lead. She shares personal stories of challenges encountered and overcome and how she manages through turbulence. Her insights are drawn from her three decades ascending through the ranks and reaching the top of the corporate ladder at IBM. Frances’ perspective on building consensus and relationships to foster long-lasting loyalty offers a holistic strategy valuable for every woman, of any ethnicity.

  • Human First Design and the Inclusive Digital Workplace: A Blueprint to Removing Barriers and Driving Value

    Frances talks about how to operationalize inclusion holistically from the top down and across all functions, so it scales and sustains. She takes a close look at why technology is not fulfilling its promise and how we can better prepare the workforce of the future.

  • Authentic Inclusion: The Strategic Business Imperative that Drives Disruptive Innovation

    Learn from this Insightful talk on new perspectives that will inspire leaders to achieve disruptive innovation through authentic inclusion, offering a strategic blueprint for business to operationalize inclusion.

Frances West Videos

Frances West: Reframe inclusion
Authentic Inclusion: An Interview with Frances West - YouTube
Authentic Inclusion Drives Disruptive Innovation
Authentic Inclusion: What is it and why it matters? | Frances West | TEDx
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FRANCES WEST

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