Alison Francis, a 2003 alumna, is fostering a culture of belonging as vice president and chief diversity officer at Costco. Named one of the top 50 Chief Diversity Officers of 2024 by Women We Admire, Francis is recognized for her leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at one of the world’s largest retailers, which operates in more than 15 countries.
Francis began her journey at Costco in 1998 as an intern and continued working there as a membership assistant while studying marketing and English with a writing emphasis at Oakwood University. Over her 25 years with the company, she has held various leadership roles, including general manager, assistant vice president, and vice president. Recently, she played a key role in launching Costco’s global DEI strategy and advancing initiatives that support a diverse workforce. In addition to her work at Costco, Francis actively volunteers as a board member for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and mentors community programs to promote equity and inclusion. With a master’s degree in human resources management from Georgetown University and executive leadership training from Seattle University, she embodies Oakwood’s mission of “departing to serve.”
