Authentic Inclusion: What is it and why it matters? | Frances West | TEDxMountainViewCollege

There is no shortage of discussion around inclusion in both business and society. Frances West calls for a new way of thinking where diversity is at the core of disruptive innovation. She shares her concept of Authentic Inclusion™ through her personal story as a first-generation immigrant and woman in tech executive and why her “human-first” thinking is critical for individuals, businesses and society now. Frances West is an internationally recognized thought leader, speaker, strategy adviser, and women-in-technology trailblazer known for her work in innovation, technology, and business transformation. She is the author of “Authentic Inclusion™ Drives Disruptive Innovation” and founder of FrancesWestCo, a global strategy advisory company focused on operationalizing inclusion as a business and technology imperative. Her insightful knowledge and “human first” approach come from her personal journey as a first-generation, non-English speaking immigrant and her career as a technology executive, which includes being IBM’s first Chief Accessibility Officer. Frances’ expertise has been highly sought after by governments, businesses, nonprofits and startups. She was invited to be the sole IT expert witness to testify before the US Senate on the need to pass the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. She recently was appointed as an instructor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Massachusetts in Boston in recognition of her work in accessibility, research, and digital inclusion. Frances was born in Taiwan and educated in Hong Kong and the US. She is married with two sons and currently resides in Newton, Massachusetts. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at