Valesca Francis is an experienced DEI strategist with over 16 years of employee relations experience, dedicated to promoting inclusive and equitable workplaces. Valesca has worked with a wide range of Fortune 100 organizations to help them build more diverse and inclusive cultures and improve the quality and caliber of employee relations in constantly evolving workplaces of multi-dimensional issues and complex initiatives.
At Amazon, Valesca currently supports World Wide Amazon Stores, People eXperiences and Technology team (HR), she has led initiatives to increase representation, implement inclusive hiring practices, and foster a sense of belonging for all employees. She provides DEI strategy consultation, coaching, and guidance on equitable performance practices, supporting leaders in developing goals and practices that positively impact diversity and inclusion outcomes. Valesca is passionate about using data-driven insights to drive meaningful change and partnering with leadership to embed DEI into the core of the organization.
Outside of work, Valesca is involved with local community organizations focused on education equity and is committed to creating a more just and inclusive society. She is a Panamanian American Afro-Latina mother of three, a military spouse, and an avid traveler who shares a love for Disney with her husband. Valesca earned her Bachelor's degrees in Interpersonal/Organizational Communication and Legal Studies, a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida, and is a member of SHRM, Delta Sigma Theta sorority, and fluent in Spanish.