If you want to see the power of perseverance, look no farther than Shelley Zalis.

Change Can Happen If You Want It

Ten years ago, her invite to Davos, Switzerland, to participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) came with a disclaimer: “You might not feel welcome,” due to the “boys’ club” environment that seemed prevalent at the time.

On that day, she took a stand, and the result of her efforts led to the creation of the Equality Lounge at Davos. The participants and programming of which, would change the face and gender balance around one the most world’s powerful annual events.

The WEF and the Need for Change

The WEF was created in 1971 as a forum to discuss the world’s challenges. When it was originally founded, 83% of the attendees, known as delegates, who were invited to participate were men. The most powerful prime ministers, presidents, central bank leaders, CEOs and executives were all together in one place. But when you looked across the rooms, it was evident that one notable group wasn’t given an equal opportunity to participate in these closed-door meetings, dinners and community: women.

Enter Shelley Zalis

Enter Shelley Zalis, a former tech CEO and renowned entrepreneur from Los Angeles, CA. Ms. Zalis pioneered online research through her company Online Testing Exchange, which she would end up selling for $80 million. From that moment, she committed herself to elevating women and driving change.

The Female Quotient and the Equality Lounge

In 2015, she founded The Female Quotient (The FQ), a company focused on advancing equality in the workplace. The FQ brings visibility to female and diverse leaders through collaborative partnerships, creating metrics for businesses, building out live events and creating an online forum to advance gender parity worldwide.

The Equality Lounge is now The FQ’s signature curated experience, showing up at the biggest industry and cultural events in the world—from CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, to Advertising Week in New York City and The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in Cannes, France. And at the WEF, the lounge has become the place to see and be seen.

What Happens at the Lounge

When speaking to Ms. Zalis, it’s obvious that she has her thumb on the pulse of this moment.

“People say we’ve created both a welcoming and safe space where there’s no competition, no hierarchy—just a shared commitment to action. We create an intimate, judgment-free space where CEOs, policymakers and changemakers connect and share ideas that drive real results. Whether it’s closing the pay gap, fostering inclusive cultures or tackling bias in AI, every panel and discussion is designed to leave leaders with actionable takeaways.”

And its effects are palpable.

It Starts And Ends With Intention

“Equality isn’t a dream—it’s a decision. And today’s leaders face a defining moment: drive workplace equality forward or fall behind.” According to the WEF Gender Gap Report, it will take 134 years to close the gender gap. Ms. Zalis believes that “conscious leadership can flip this timeline to just five years. The global pandemic proved we can transform workplace norms overnight.”

Conclusion

The data is showing some pandemic evolutions waning—for instance, remote work is wearing off, and the growth of video-calling platforms, such as Zoom, has stalled. In light of this, will equality help reshape our professional world?

“We have an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate meaningful change,” Ms. Zalis said.

FAQs

Q: What is the Equality Lounge?

A: The Equality Lounge is a curated experience created by The Female Quotient, bringing together CEOs, policymakers, and changemakers to discuss and drive real results in advancing gender parity worldwide.

Q: What is The Female Quotient?

A: The Female Quotient is a company founded by Shelley Zalis, focused on advancing equality in the workplace through collaborative partnerships, creating metrics for businesses, building out live events, and creating an online forum to advance gender parity worldwide.

Q: What is the WEF Gender Gap Report?

A: The WEF Gender Gap Report is an annual report that measures the gap between men and women in four key areas: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.