Baroness Oona King is a renowned advocate for racial equality, currently serving as Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at Uber. Her passion for equality is rooted in her own lived experiences as a Black Jewish woman navigating political and corporate spaces where diversity has often been lacking. These personal insights drive her powerful voice in championing inclusivity across sectors. Throughout her career, Oona has tackled subjects such as systemic racism, unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, and intersectionality. As a speaker, she is both authentic and compelling, drawing on a wealth of experience that spans politics, tech, and media to highlight the urgent need for institutional change.
Oona began her career as a Political Assistant in the European Parliament in 1991, before making history in 1997 as the second Black woman elected to the UK Parliament. During her time as Member of Parliament, she was known for her commitment to social justice and education reform. Following her time in Parliament, she served as a Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister on Equalities in 2007, contributing to key equalities legislation. Her work then extended into media, where she was appointed Chief Diversity Officer at Channel 4 in 2009. In 2011, she was elevated to the House of Lords as Baroness King of Bow, further amplifying her influence on national equality policy.
Her corporate journey has included some of the most influential names in tech. Oona led diversity strategy as Global Director of Diverse Marketing at YouTube and later as Director of Diversity Strategy at Google, before becoming VP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Snap Inc. in 2019. In 2024, she took on her current global role at Uber. Her achievements have earned widespread recognition, including being named on several Most Influential Women in Tech lists, and she remains one of the UK’s most prominent voices on diversity and inclusion. Her 2008 memoir, gives a raw and insightful account of her experiences in Westminster.
Oona’s speaking topics explore the intersection of race, gender, and identity, with a focus on structural change, authentic representation, and the role of leadership in fostering inclusion. She shares practical strategies grounded in both policy and practice, shaped by decades of experience across politics and global corporations. As someone who has broken barriers and built frameworks for change, Oona offers not just inspiration but actionable insights. Organisations seeking to create inclusive cultures hire her for her depth of knowledge, lived authenticity, and proven impact.
