Donna Fraser OBE is an Olympian who has transferred her skills from the track to the boardroom as a leader in equality, diversity and inclusion.
Donna is a 4 x Olympian and former 400m sprinter for Great Britain.
During her successful athletics career, which spanned over 20 years, Donna won a host of European, Commonwealth and World medals.
Unfortunately, in 2009 Donna retired from athletics due to being diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
Donna has over 10 years of corporate experience within business, sport, leadership, well-being and PMA for both start-ups and established companies.
She was recognised with the Freedom of the Borough of Croydon in 2018 for Services to Sport and continues to be enthused to help inspire a generation through education by ‘giving back’ and sharing her knowledge and experience with young people aspiring to achieve their goals.
In 2021 she was awarded an OBE for services to equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and has served as a Trustee, advisor and Board member for multiple organisations such as the London Marathon Charitable Trust, Women’s Sports Trust, British Athletes Commission, International Women’s Group and Her Spirit to name a few.
Donna is now a keynote speaker, strategist, and charity ambassador. She dedicates much of her time to working in Business, Sport, and the charity sector to inspire and embed inclusive and diverse cultures.
Board Positions and Awards include:
- 2021 – OBE for Service to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Business.
- 2018 – Freewoman of the Borough
- 2017 – Organising Committee, IAAF World Athletics Championships and World Para Athletics Championships in London.
- 2017 – Equality, Diversity & Engagement Lead, UK Athletics
- 2015 – Vice President of UK Athletics Members Council
- 2013- 2015 – Chair of the BAME Network (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) at EDF Energy
- 2011-2015 – President, South of England Athletics Association
Donna Fraser Keynote Speaker
From the athletics track to the Boardroom, Donna Fraser has over 20 years of experience as an international athlete, a successful businesswoman and is a breast cancer survivor.
Her journey within these spheres has inspired her to share her story which coupled with her warm and charismatic style captivate diverse audiences from a young aspiring athlete to a CEO who is driving for organisational success to ‘believe and achieve’.
The Olympic and Paralympic values of Respect, Excellence, Friendship, Courage, Inspiration, Determination and Equality, helped shape Donna’s career from athlete to businesswoman.
These values were prevalent through the highs and the lows of her athletic career and resonate in her business career and in everyday life, which makes her keynotes versatile and relevant.
Her stories are filled with drive, resilience and compassion and she has the ability to tailor her speeches to highlight key messages to suit the client, taking them on a roller coaster of emotions filled with motivation, elation and inspiration.
Topics include:
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Overcoming Adversity
- PMA – Positive Mental Attitude
- Teamwork
- Wellbeing
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Speaker
Donna Fraser is the recipient of an OBE for services to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace.
Donna chaired the award-winning BAME Network at EDF Energy for 3 years and spearheaded a number of key ED&I partnerships including Microsoft and Breast Cancer Now.
She has been a judge on the renowned Black British Business Awards and has been included in the Ethnic Minority Future Leader lists in 2019 and 2020.
Donna has led key activities in the ED&I area for UK Athletics and other organisations in recent years and led on the ground-breaking COACH exhibition which was housed in City Hall and the Houses of Parliament.
Furthermore, she has been a key figure within UK Athletics ‘Let’s Talk About Race’ programme which recently culminated in a sport-wide commitment to tackle issues of racial inequality.
