Past TEDxDallasCollege

Event Host: Chris Arnold

The voice of sports, Chris Arnold comes to us with decades of experience hosting and emceeing some of the largest athletics events in the world. The only journalist inducted into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame, and also an inductee into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, Arnold has been broadcasting for more than 45 years, produced Emmy-winning journalism for television and now serves as the NBA’s 2011 World Champion Dallas Mavericks game night emcee.

Arnold has covered 28 Super Bowls, 21 NBA Finals, two Olympics, 15 Final Fours, eight World Series, 26 Championship Boxing Title Fights, 25 NBA All Star Games, eight Baseball All Star Games, give Pro Bowls, 15 College Football Bowl Games and even the World Cup.

Brittany Criswell

Falling Forward 101

Brittany "Luscious Barbie" Criswell is a native of Dallas, where she has built a large hometown fanbase by conquering the media scene. Luscious is a comedian, actress, producer, social media influencer and community advocate. She's appeared on MTV's Crack Me Up and E! Fashion Emergency 2020.

Criswell provides unique experience-based reviews on her social media platforms that have revived many businesses in the Dallas area during the pandemic. Her videos have ranged from 20-800,000 views per video and the hashtag #anotherdallastexascheck, compiling all of her videos, currently has 7.4 million views. Not only does it place businesses on Tik Tok and social media in general, it brings an extreme amount of foot traffic and revenue to these businesses in DFW.

Chris Edwards

Fool's Gold: Prioritizing the Core, Over Shiny Things

Chris Edwards is a creative communicator of purpose and empowerment. He began his speaking career at the tender age of 12 at his local church and hasn’t yet dropped the mic. Edwards passionately serves multiethnic and multigenerational populations through engaging speeches, humor and the arts, inspiring individuals to reach their full potential. He earned his B.A. in psychology from Southern Methodist University. For eight years, Edwards passionately served hundreds of low-income and first-generation high school students at SMU’s College Access Programs, helping them transition to a stage of life unfamiliar to them - postsecondary academia. He believes that when facts and situations change, principles should stay the same and lead us through all challenges. He worked in full-time ministry for five years and is now a student success coach for special populations at Dallas College.

Maya Fernandez

We Are From Here

Maya Fernandez is a director in the Employer Resource Center at Dallas College. She received her doctorate in education in educational administration from Concordia University Texas. Fernandez is committed to student success as a holistic approach. She is a first generation Indian American and proud to be born and raised in Dallas.

Elise Song

Elise Song is a composition and literature educator at Dallas College. She received her doctorate of education in English education from Teachers College Columbia University. Her work focuses on the Asian American womanist condition. Song is working towards centering the stories of marginalized voices to drive the content in classrooms. She is forever a proud Texanese (Taiwanese Texan). Hook ‘em!

Kim Fisher

Mindful Tasking: Mindfulness Made Easy

Kim Fisher, is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher, author, and the founder of Brown Girls Meditate. This community was created as a safe space for women of color to learn simple mindfulness practices that unlock power and purpose.

She is the author of the Guided Meditation Journal "Brown Girls Meditate: A 30 Day Soulful Guide to Discover Meditation," available now on Amazon.

Farid Martinez

Life is a Carousel

For more than 14 years, Farid Martinez has empowered corporate success through the implementation of high-end business technology solutions, strategies and innovation. He has led multinational and multifunctional teams in Mexico, United States and Latin America while coaching team members from different backgrounds to become managers and team leaders. Farid has specialized in creating a bridge between technology and final users, focusing on creating technological solutions based on humans for humans. He founded his own IT consulting firm, looking to boost entrepreneur businesses and help others find great professional opportunities.

Shareefah Mason

What About the Children in the Mirror: Diversifying America's Teacher Pipeline

Shareefah Mason is an associate dean of educator certification at Dallas College, cultivating the nuances of an innovative teacher residency program in order to offer a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She is the lead author of the trailblazing “Teach Plus and Center for Black Educator Development” collaboration paper and “To Be Who We Are: Black Teachers on Creating Culturally Affirming Schools,” with Sharif El-Mekki, an explicit voice in Black educator teacher recruitment, preparation and retention. Shareefah is the executive producer of the international award-winning 2020 film, “From the Block,” which emphasizes the impact of Black teachers on all students, regardless of race and ethnicity. She is a former State of Texas Master Teacher and member of the Texas State Board for Educator Certification. She is the founder of ColorED Black and Brown, an educational consultancy group committed to the enhancement of teachers and students of color across the United States.

Jose Daniel Juarez Pereira

Think and Act Big: The Art of Personal Resurgance

José Daniel Juárez Pereira is an international student from Guatemala who moved to the United States in a pursue of a bachelor’s degree of business administration with a marketing major and psychology minor. Pereira is currently finishing his associate degree of science at Dallas College. Over the past year, he has served in projects, organizations and clubs that create positive and meaningful contributions to the community. Pereira has recently been recognized as Student of the Year for the Texas Junior College Student Government Association along with being presented other numerous awards.

Gaby Natale (Host)

Gaby Natale is a triple Daytime EMMY® winner, TV personality, bestselling author and motivational speaker. She is the executive producer and host of the nationally-syndicated TV show SuperLatina on PBS' VME network. One of the most prestigious media personalities in Spanish-language television, Natale is among a few women in the entertainment industry who owns not only the rights to her TV show but also a television studio. This unique situation has allowed her to combine her passion for media and her entrepreneurial spirit.

People magazine named Natale one of 2018’s “25 Most Powerful Latinas”, highlighting the inspirational story of how she went from a local TV show that started out of a carpet warehouse to becoming the only Latina in US history to win triple back-to-back Daytime EMMYs. Her popularity grew even further when her first book, “The Virtuous Circle” by HarperCollins, became an instant bestseller, topping Amazon’s New Releases charts in 3 different categories (Business, Inspiration and Self-Help).

Natale is also the founder of AGANARmedia, a marketing company with a focus on Hispanic audiences that serves Fortune 500 companies such as Hilton Worldwide, Sprint, AT&T, eBay and Amazon. In the digital world, she has a thriving fan base with over 52 million views on YouTube and 250K+ followers on Social Media.

In 2019, Natale launched Welcome All Beauty, her own hairpiece and extension line dedicated to women who need to be camera-ready on the go.

Natale is a sought-after bilingual speaker and a frequent collaborator with nonprofits such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Phenomenal Woman Action Campaign and Voto Latino. She has keynoted conferences from the United Nations to tech shows and trade gatherings across the US and Latin America. Natale has been featured in Forbes, CNN, Buzzfeed, NBC News, Univision and Latino Leaders magazine. She is the recipient of NALIP’s Digital Trailblazer Award and of a GLAAD Media Award nomination for her portrayal of Latino LGBTQ youth in media.

Natale holds a bachelor’s in International Relations and a master’s degree in Journalism from the University of San Andres and Columbia University. Prior to starting her career in television, Natale taught Communication and Journalism courses at the University of Texas. Originally from Argentina, Natale holds triple citizenship from the United States, Argentina and Italy and has lived in London (UK), Mexico, Washington DC and Buenos Aires.

Follow her on Instagram @GabyNatale or Twitter @GabyNatale or for more information on Gaby’s books and events visit gabynatale.com

Briaina Webster

Dear Impostor Syndrome...It’s the Lie for me

Briaina Webster is a full-time Senior Rehabilitation Counselor at the post-secondary level. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling with a minor in Psychology. Ms. Webster was a panelist for Texas State’s Inclusive Excellence Student Initiative and has appeared as a guest for a podcast interview over the topic of Impostor Syndrome. She currently writes devotionals for an online church organization. In her free time, she loves reading, running, and practicing the latest dance moves.

Follow her on Instagram @S.U.R.e.Refinement_ or Twitter @Surerefinment_.

Mai Lyn Ngo

Pivot Your Perspective and Pave Your Own Path

Mai Lyn Ngo is the founder and creative mind behind Fitness Ambassadors, a fitness networking group and events and marketing company in Dallas, TX. Mai Lyn has a passion for bringing people together through in-person and virtual activations and sees herself as a connector. She’s worked with global brands such as Under Armour, Dallas Mavs, Adidas, Omni Hotels and Resort, and BODYARMOR to create these amazing experiences. In 2019 she launched Dallas’ first-ever fitness festival, FAME Fest, a two-day event bringing the arts and fitness together and helped establish Dallas as a destination fit city.

Her mission is to break through stigmas in the fitness industry, addressing inclusivity issues, and lifting people from all walks of life at her events. Her true passion is sharing knowledge and helping other health + fitness professionals to build their personal brand and become better leaders and role models.

When she isn’t masterminding the rise of her fitness community, Mai Lyn is known for lifting weights, and her seductive coffee and cocktail videos, and love for fried chicken.

You can learn more about Mai Lyn on her Instagram @mailynngo

Toi Sweeney

Reject your story. Embrace your adventure

Founder and Chief Style Officer, The Well Dressed Brand, Toi Sweeney is an award-winning fashion stylist, brand image strategist, speaker, entrepreneur, author of Secrets of a Well Dressed Brand, founder of the Well Dressed Brand, and host of Well Dressed Brand TV. Toi helps powerhouse brands and high-performers integrate their wardrobes into their business plans through a stunning, distinctive style that clearly communicates their highest value. She’s passionate about leveraging her Fascination Advantage™ training and the psychology of color to develop signature styles for her clients that help them show up and shut it down. Toi has been featured on Forbes.com, BBCNews.com, HelloGiggles.com, and has appeared as a guest on over a dozen podcasts. She has two decades of extensive experience in fashion, business, and marketing, and her clients have appeared on The Today Show, Harry, Fox, ABC, NBC, QVC, The Hallmark Channel, and Anderson Cooper Live. Toi is also a recipient of the prestigious Telly Award and a recipient of the Icon of the Year award via the Art Institute. Follow her online on Instagram (@toisweeney), Twitter (@sweeneytoi), Well Dressed TV (welldressed11) on Facebook, or toisweeney.com for more.

Sam and Sharif Sayed

A Day in their Shoes

Sam and Sharif Sayed are the Co-Founders of Dayna’s Footprints, a nonprofit that promotes youth empowerment in North Texas. Following the inspiration of the brothers’ late sister Dayna, the organization provides name-brand athletic shoes, and the confidence that they can imbue, to the area's most underprivileged students. Their annual weightlifting and walk/run challenges have garnered nationwide participation and directly fund the mission.

Sam Sayed is a longtime health science professional and current medical student at the TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. He holds a master’s degree from Drexel University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies. Though soon to become Doctor Sayed, he is most excited to hold the honorific of Dad to his daughter.

Sharif Sayed is an Executive Vice President for PURE, a North Texas-based nutrition provider. A proud husband and father of two, Sharif commits himself to developing new leaders in and out of his job, fitness, and the adulation and emulation of The Greatest (Muhammad Ali, of course).

Follow Sam and Sharif online @daynasfootprints, @Supersharif, @sam.sayed10 or visit their organization’s website at daynasfootprints.com.

Pamela Chui Kadakia

An On-going and Evolving Journey Towards Anti-Racism

Pamela Chui Kadakia began her career as an English as a second language instructor in the community college space. Working with historically underserved, marginalized, and racialized learners, Pamela began to ground her work and teachings in anti-racism by challenging her own belief systems. She now continues the pursuit of racial equity and social justice internally through her own unlearning and externally in her work as Equity Project Manager. Pamela is also pursuing her doctorate in higher education, exploring how white supremacist ideologies are upheld in ESOL reading textbooks through critical race theory and discourse analysis.

Connect with Pamela on Instagram @TeacherPamPam

Dr. Frederick V. Engram Jr.

Black Joy as an Act of Resistance

is an assistant professor of instruction at the University of Texas at Arlington in the Department of Criminology/Criminal Justice and the Center for African American Studies. His current research and teaching focus on the role that race and racism play in the systems of higher education and criminal justice. He focuses more broadly on the way that racism, white supremacy, white manning, and white privilege display themselves in power structures and how they oppress African Americans. 

His work considers how African Americans make sense of their experiences with racism in education and society at large. He has previously published his work in media outlets such as Blavity and Diverse Issues in Higher Education. Dr. Engram is a co-author in two 2021 current and soon-to-be-released books entitled: “Blackmaled in Academia” and “Re-Envisioning Education: Affirming Diversity and Advancing Justice”.

Connect with Dr. Engram on Twitter @vancarlito2003 or Instagram @dr.engram19 and check out his latest article entitled “Move: We Don’t Need to Convince You That Our Oppression is Real."

Alex Tha Great

Black Joy is a Love Language

Alex Tha Great is a strategist, higher education professional, and spoken word artist. She holds a Master of Arts in Cultural Studies from Claremont Graduate University and a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies from the University of California Irvine.

She is a Women of the World Poetry Slam Finalist and the author of 4 books including the latest Everything My Daddy Taught Me. Alex has shared stages with notable people as actress Irma P. Hall and Reverend Jesse Jackson and with her poetry and speaking engagements she has been contracted to feature by over 40 colleges and universities. She lives by the motto: Whatever you do let it be bold.

Follow Alex the Great on Twitter @alexthagreat1 and on Instagram @followthagreat and visit her website for more on upcoming events and to check out her merchandise alexthagreat.com/

Adena Harmon

How Digital Accessibility Became My Passion

Note: In collaboration with the speaker, TEDxDallasCollege will delay the release of Adena Harmon's talk until our next live event so that her technology can be demonstrated in real time with audience engagement.

Adena Harmon, is the Founder & CEO of C-Hear, Founder & Managing Partner of Elite Performance Data Labs, and a member of several nonprofit boards in Texas and California. 

What do you get when you cross classical ballet, psychology, and NASCAR? Circuitously, you get one of the most innovative and intriguing women in today’s tech industry. From her rambling route to her disruptive destination, there’s nothing traditional about Adena Harmon. “I was working on a NASCAR driver’s social media campaign to give away an F150 truck when I encountered a problem,” Harmon says. “I needed a better tool to create ads to run on Facebook, etc. When I couldn’t find what I needed, I got on the phone, started asking questions, and, well, here we are.”

“Here” is C-Hear, Harmon’s Dallas-based visionary tech company that’s revolutionizing how consumers – doctors, teachers, lawyers, and the visually impaired – hear pictures and transfer data on the Internet. C-Hear has been hailed as an “Internet game-changer” at SXSW and Dallas Startup Week and recently received a U.S. Patent for its proprietary Codec that allows images to include audio annotation, deleting the need for long, slow-loading video files or insufficient static photos. “We started with a simple idea and a single destination: Provide an image with sound in a single file, without the need for a big, cumbersome video,” says Harmon. “Reaction to our software has been enthusiastically and overwhelmingly positive.” Heady achievements fueled by firmly planted feet on the ground is what makes Harmon’s story so fascinating. 

She grew up in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite and attended college at nearby SMU. With interests in ballet and psychology not yet paying the bills, Harmon began a marketing campaign for a NASCAR driver. It was there she discovered and nurtured her most valuable skill – one that led to becoming founder and CEO of C-Hear. Harmon, turns out, is a world-class problem-solver. With her original plans to retire gladly put on hold while she runs the company she launched in 2015, Harmon still finds time for patio relaxation with husband, Butch, long walks with her dog, Sally Mae, and entertaining friends with cooking and board games. 

She’s a self-trained tech titan whose favorite color is seafoam blue. She’s an innovator that used her entrepreneurial spirit to call an audile on life’s path and instead venture an unbeaten path to surprising success. She’s uniquely Adena Harmon. “My favorite quote is by Oprah: ‘If you do work that you love, and the work fulfills you, the rest will come,” Harmon says. “I’d like to think that tells my story.”

Connect with Adena on Instagram @adenaharmontx or Twitter @adenaharmontx and visit her website adenaharmon.com

Note: In collaboration with the speaker, TEDxDallasCollege will delay the release of Adena Harmon's talk until our next live event so that her technology can be demonstrated in real time with audience engagement.

Mathew Knowles, MBA, Ph.D

The DNA of Achievers: 10 Traits of Highly Successful Professionals

A business-oriented, motivational and inspirational talk all rolled into one. As the title suggest, it focuses on characteristics that are common among successful people from all parts of life. The 10 traits commonly shared among successful people from all walks of life are passion, work ethic, vision, team-building, planning and more.

Mathew Knowles, MBA, Ph.D., is the founder of Music World Entertainment Corporation. He is widely recognized in the entertainment industry for facilitating more than 100 award-winning, platinum and gold albums and for working with award-winning artists such as Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé, Solange, the O’Jays, Chaka Khan and many others. Knowles has had a distinguished 20-year career in sales and marketing with Fortune 500 companies such as Xerox, Phillips and Johnson & Johnson, and he holds an MBA in Strategic Planning and Organizational Culture, as well as a Ph.D. in Business Administration.

Knowles is a visiting professor at Prairie View A&M University, and he has lectured in more than 25 colleges and universities around the world, including Harvard, Howard, UCLA, Cornell and the University of Cape Town, to name just a few. Knowles is an award-winning author with five books to his credit, including “The DNA of Achievers," "Racism from the Eyes of a Child," "Public Relations and Media," "The Emancipation of Slaves Through Music" and "Destiny’s Child: The Untold Story."

Daniel García Ordaz

Mimicry as a Form of Empowerment

Teacher and poet Daniel García Ordaz, the son of Mexican immigrants, discourses on the value of mimicry as a form of empowerment. Speaking in other people’s voices, or the performance of linguistic mimicry, is an exercise in empathy that has the capacity to engender unity among cultures.

Daniel García Ordaz, a.k.a. The Poet Mariachi, is a writer and educator from Mission, Texas. He is the author of "You Know What I'm Sayin'?" and "Cenzontle/Mockingbird: Songs of Empowerment." He is also a founder of the Rio Grande Valley International Poetry Festival.

García, whose parents emigrated from México, is an Eagle Scout, a U.S. Navy veteran, a former newspaper journalist and a former migrant farm worker. He earned a B.A. in English from the University of Texas — Pan American and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Texas — Rio Grande Valley.

García's work has been taught at colleges and universities. His forthcoming book, "Read Until You Bleed," is a collection of children's poetry. His work also appears in several anthologies, including "Twenty," "Poetry of Resistance," "Juventúd!" and "Living Beyond Borders," among others. García's work has also appeared in several journals, and he has been a panelist, featured poet or guest author at AWP, the Texas Book Festival, the Dallas International Book Fair, the Texas Library Association and Gemini Ink, among others.

Gaby Natale

Pioneer — How to Be What You Can't See

Turning presence into impact for people who love, look, sound, think or pray a different way.

Gaby Natale is a three-time Emmy award-winning media personality, entrepreneur and influencer. She is the executive producer and host of the TV show "SuperLatina," which airs nationwide on VME TV, a member of the PBS family. Gaby is also one of the few women to own a production studio. This unique situation has allowed her to combine her passion for media and her entrepreneurial spirit. In 2017, Gaby became the first Spanish-language TV host to win back to back Daytime Emmys in the "Outstanding Talent Category." In May 2016, Gaby and "SuperLatina" won two Daytime Emmy awards, for "Outstanding Daytime Talent in a Spanish Language Program" and "Outstanding Entertainment Program in Spanish," respectively. This was a first for an independently produced Spanish-language show. In the digital world, Gaby has developed a thriving fan base, with over 52 million views on YouTube and over 200,000 followers on social media. She is also the co-founder and president of AGANARmedia, a marketing company with a focus on Latino audiences. AGANARmedia's clients include such Fortune 500 companies as Hilton Worldwide, Sprint, AT&T, Ebay and Amazon, to name a few.

Tara Peters, Ph.D.

Demotivation: The Billion-Dollar Crisis That's Plaguing Business

Dr. Tara Peters studies employee demotivation and believes that we’ve been asking the wrong question about how to motivate employees. In a humorous and compelling talk, she shares her research on what causes employees to lose their motivation and insights on what leaders can do about it. A talk you’ll want to hear and share.

Dr. Tara Peters is the founder and managing director of Peters Consulting Group (PCG). She's a gifted educator who believes there is no greater calling than educating our future generations. A professional educator for more than 24 years, she currently serves as the Texas Campus Academic Dean and as a professor in the DeVos Graduate School at Northwood University. Peters earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Systems, and she has been invited to teach on multiple occasions in Northwood's international programs.

Peters also consults internationally, and she has worked with several companies in the DFW Metroplex, including Coca-Cola Bottling, Allstate Insurance, Walmart Distribution Center, Medical Center of Plano and Ocwen, to name a few. Her scholarly work has been presented at regional and national conferences.

Jason Ryan Pointer

Destigmatizing Mental Illness

“Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all.” When former President Bill Clinton spoke those words years ago, who knew how little progress we’d have made some 20 years into the new millennium. Join me on a journey to destigmatize mental illness and bring awareness to how we can empower ourselves and others toward more resilient mental health and expand our empathy towards those who suffer.

Jason Pointer is the director of pastoral care and counseling at the largest state psychiatric hospital in Texas. He is a certified instructor for Mental Health First Aid and trained alongside police officers, earning a Mental Health Peace Officer certificate. A gifted speaker, teacher, writer and thinker, he has presented for seminars, conferences and organizations, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Jason also has certifications in critical incident stress management, crisis response, disaster spiritual care and de-escalation techniques. As an ordained minister and professionally trained hospital chaplain with a specialization in mental health care, he has served in the emergency room, during disasters and alongside first responders, and he has been recognized multiple times for his passion and exceptional patient care.

Ryan Romano

Repairing the Identity Crisis

As human beings, we crave to understand our true value, worthiness and identity. We are starving to create and live our own life, yet all too often we find ourselves hypnotized by society’s standards, becoming more insecure and seeking comfort in conformity. This identity crisis is causing people to become more worried, anxious and even depressed than ever before. It’s time to break the habit of living anyone else’s life but the one you create and desire!

Ryan Romano (USAW, FNS, PN-1) is a high performance and wellness expert, writer and speaker. He is also the CEO of the Warehouse Performance Institute, a Birmingham, Alabama-based sports and human performance training center. For almost a decade, Ryan has worked with 15,000 individuals and 3,000 families around the country, providing physical, mental and emotional training. He specializes in building an individual's confidence and self-esteem, as well as providing mentoring and coaching to help the individual discover and align their true value and worthiness.

Matthew Sanchez

Work at Love

What do a job interview and a first date have in common? In both instances, most people are concerned with ideals, looks and most important, feelings. If the relationship works, we might continue to see each other for months — or maybe years. Then, banality hits. We can find ourselves in a rut, which makes us wallow in self-pity. What would your professional and personal life look like if you invested as much energy today as you did when you first started?

Matthew truly believes that when all people begin to push themselves and search for their "why," the world will be a better place. He enjoys talking with people and getting to know them on a deep personal level. While earning his master's degree, Matthew had the opportunity to complete an internship at a children's advocacy center in North Texas, where he provided mental therapy to victims of abuse of all ages. It was at the center that he began to recognize his "why" and develop the belief in his purpose to help and inspire others to discover their mental grit and push their personal limits — physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Matthew has two daughters, Bella and Sheridan, ages 13 and 8. He continually seeks to reinforce his purpose with them by having discussions about quotes to help them discover more about themselves, and he encourages physical boundary tests by coaching them in soccer and basketball. Matthew seeks to ignite hope in and inspire people to realize that they can do more than they believe.

Shani Scott

Living Because I'm Dying

Anything that is living will eventually die. How we journey through the life is what matters most. So the question becomes, are you living, because you are dying? This talk points out simple steps to live the only life you are given most effectively.

Shani Scott was born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Dallas. She graduated from David W. Carter High School in 1994 and began her radio career in August of the same year. She is a published author, actress and spokesperson for various organizations. In June of 2013, she became the first black female programmer of a radio station in the east Texas market. She is also the owner of The Media Room and handles bookings for Lavish Wink & More, DJ Big Bink, multi-platinum recording artist Beyoncé's father, Mathew Knowles, and various other national artists. Additionally, she works with such organizations as the Texas Black Women's Coalition for HIV/AIDS and the American Stroke Association. Shani has four children, Carlie, Cailie, Amaria and K.J. She believes that with faith, all things are possible.

Frances West

Authentic Inclusion: What is it and why does it matter?

There is no shortage of discussion around inclusion in both business and society. She shares her concept of Authentic Inclusion™ through her personal story as a first-generation immigrant and female tech executive, and she shares why her “human-first” thinking is critical for individuals, businesses and society now.

Frances West is an internationally recognized thought leader, speaker, strategy advisor 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 the 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 becoming 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 U.S. Senate on the need to pass the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. She also was recently appointed as an instructor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and she 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 U.S. She is married with two sons and currently resides in Newton, Mass.