Biography, The Data Siren.
Sheena D. Franklin
A visionary at the intersection of AI, data, and human-centered design, she empowers organizations to navigate the evolving landscape of health and biometric data responsibly to drive transformative, future-proof strategies and lead with purpose in an increasingly data-driven world.
Sheena D. Franklin is a leader at the forefront of ethical innovation, blending data science, women’s health, and technology standards to help organizations thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Known globally as The Data Siren, Sheena is recognized for her pioneering work in women’s health data and technology design standards, as Chair of the Women’s Health Working Group for the Consumer Technology Association.
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As the Founder of K’ept Health and 1836 & Co., she has led groundbreaking initiatives to build the data infrastructure for women’s health and to develop practical privacy and governance frameworks that help organizations anticipate and adapt to the regulatory, ethical, and social forces shaping the future of data, AI, and digital technology. She also serves as an advisor to universities, where she develops curriculum for global leaders on the future of data and technology intelligence, healthcare innovation, women’s health, and regulatory privacy and compliance.
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Prior to entrepreneurship, she spent over two decades as a healthcare lobbyist representing Fortune 50 companies—including Walgreens and Grant Thorton LLP—before The Administration, Congress, the FDA, and CMS, Sheena has been a powerful advocate for healthcare innovation and women’s health policy.
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​Her leadership and insights have been recognized across the healthcare industry. Sheena was named Women’s Health Company of the Year by Columbia University’s HITT LAB and recognized as the Health Equity Case Study by Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine - helping inform health tech partnerships, product development, and investment strategies
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She has participated in multiple congressional briefings and initiatives, including delivering remarks before the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations on the topic of Women and Minority Health Innovation Gaps & Opportunities. She is a frequent speaker at women’s health summits and healthcare AI industry events, including IBM, HLTH, Unilever, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, CES, and Startup Health.
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In academia, Sheena serves as a guest lecturer on health tech and women’s health topics and collaborates with institutions to shape the future of health equity education. She has recently collaborated with the California Institute of Integral Studies to design the Master of Science in Critical Sexuality Studies curriculum, focusing on women’s health, sex tech, digital health, and algorithmic equity.
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When you book Sheena Franklin for your event, you bring a speaker who doesn’t just
inform—she provokes and inspires. Her keynotes invite audiences to reimagine the relationship between technology and humanity, sparking actionable insights into how health and biometric data can drive growth, responsible innovation, and long-term business resilience.
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Whether your organization is exploring algorithmic models, AI ethics, women’s health, or sustainable transformation, Sheena delivers cutting-edge insight with real-world relevance.
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Sheena holds a B.A. in English and Political Science from Clark Atlanta University, an M.A. in Legislative Affairs and Corporate Public Affairs from The George Washington University, and a Certificate in Health Data Science from Columbia Business School’s Digital Health Program. She resides in Alexandria, VA.
