Dr. Karen Francis serves as vice president and the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer (CDEIO) at AIR. In this role, she leads AIR’s overall DEI efforts through the implementation of the DEI framework and strategic pillars focused on workforce and work environment; cultural and linguistic competence; identity, brand, and thematic research; and growth and sustainability to advance AIR’s mission. Additionally, Dr. Francis focuses on developing internal and external partnerships to drive AIR’s global DEI presence. She provides oversight for the DEI Office, employee resource groups, the DEI Council and the Cultural and Linguistic Competence Workgroup. She partners with other senior leadership and staff across AIR to drive organizational accountability around cultural competence, inclusivity, equity, and fairness at all levels. Dr Francis serves as an expert panellist for the 2021 Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Benchmarks.

Dr. Francis, a medical sociologist and distinguished diversity, equity and inclusion practitioner, has devoted her career to promoting cultural and linguistic competence and reducing disparities in various social systems. She has managed numerous training and technical assistance programs at national, state, and local levels and has presented extensively to leaders and policymakers. With vast experience in diverse communities and human service systems, her expertise includes strategic planning, research, cultural and linguistic competence, and data-driven approaches. Dr. Francis has also authored several publications on cultural and linguistic competence in service delivery.

Dr. Francis is active in her community as evidenced by her service on the Caribbean American Advisory Group of Montgomery County, Maryland, and the Board of Prime-Time Sister Circles® an evidenced-based intervention focused on women’s health and well-being. She formerly served on the Montgomery County, Maryland’s Commission on Juvenile Justice and as a commissioner on the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Caribbean Affairs where she led initiatives to promote health literacy and access to health and behavioral health services. In 2023, Dr. Francis was named to the Howard University, Graduate School Board of Visitors.