Shelley Zalis — Founder of The Female Quotient
Breaking the Mold: A Conversation with Shelley Zalis on Building Inclusive Workplaces and Following Your Heart
Hi guys!! Welcome to the first official “What’s On Your Mind” blog post.
I recently had the incredible honor of sitting down with Shelley Zalis—entrepreneur, thought leader, and the visionary founder and CEO behind The Female Quotient. Shelley, often dubbed the "Chief Troublemaker," has spent her career reshaping workplace norms to prioritize inclusivity and gender equality.
Shelley’s Journey: From Market Research to Movement Maker
From Accidental Beginnings to Building Movements
Shelley’s journey is proof that the best adventures rarely go according to plan. She found her first real job by chance on her college bulletin board—thinking she was landing an ad agency gig, only to find herself in a tiny market research company with a handful of people. But what she really discovered was the power of trusting your instincts: “You didn’t need a plan,” Shelley laughs. “If it was a good idea, we just did it!”
As she moved through her career, Shelley never shied away from standing up for what felt right—even when it was uncomfortable. When handed a harsh performance review discouraging her from thinking differently, she refused to sign it. “Your head tells you to follow the status quo, but your heart knows better,” she says. That moment, Shelley realized, was about sticking to her values—even when it meant going against the grain. We had to ‘be ourselves.’
Inventing the Future Online—One Bold Move at a Time
Shelley went on to pioneer online research at a time when being “online” was brand new. She built OTX from scratch, took chances others thought were too risky, and always bet on guts and talent over playing it safe. She shares the story of promising a million dollars to a collaborator (before she even had it!)—all because she believed in her dream. “I had to be willing to take the risk because I had no choice—I had a family and new rules to write.”
Through it all, she listened to her inner compass, even when the easier option was to blend in. That courage to leap first—and figure things out as she went—became her superpower.
The Female Quotient: When Women Gather, Magic Happens
If you’ve ever wondered what can happen when women support women, Shelley’s story will give you goosebumps. One spontaneous invite to “walk the floor” with other women at a giant tech conference led to the legendary Girls’ Lounge. That little idea grew into The Female Quotient—a global community now touching over 7 million women in more than 30 industries. Shelley never set out to create a movement, but the secret sauce was always letting purpose lead the way.
She’s all about breaking the old “rules” and proving that feminine values like empathy, collaboration, and passion aren’t soft—they’re the keys to great leadership.
Shelley’s Go-To Leadership Lessons (And a Few Life Secrets!):
Don’t wait for permission. If you want to change something, be brave enough to be the first.
Take risks. Forget about fear of failure—it’s about how willing you are to leap.
Be yourself, fully. Turn down that inner critic. We need everyone’s unique voice at the table.
Surround yourself with people who lift you up. The magic always happens in the collective.
Don’t stress the invisible rulebook! You don’t have to hide your family pictures or sneak away from work to live your life. Integration beats “balance” any day.
Words for Dreamers and Doers
Shelley is honest—there’s no shortcut to success. “Experience matters,” she says. “Don’t expect to become a billionaire overnight.” Her best advice? “Earn your place; don’t just talk about it—be it.”
Before we wrapped up, I asked Shelley what she’d tell her younger self: “Don’t miss the moments that matter.” Whether it’s at work or at home, real life is happening now—so show up for it, and for the people you love.
Experience the Energy
If you haven’t already, check out The Female Quotient and join the movement. Shelley isn’t just talking about change—she’s making it real, and the energy she brings is contagious.
Thank you again, Shelley, for sharing your story and wisdom—and for reminding us all to trust ourselves, break a few rules, and help each other rise.