A single “heartbeat moment” drove Shelley Zalis to create The Female Quotient. Now, that moment has grown into the largest global community of women in business.
“Your head can rationalise, but your heart pulls you in a direction you can’t ignore,” says Zalis, the CEO, founder and “Chief Troublemaker” of The Female Quotient.
“For me, it happened when I was tired of being the ‘only’ and the ‘lonely’—one of the few women at tables filled predominantly with men, especially at major industry conferences.”
What Zalis had always wanted throughout her career was trusted relations, meaningful connections and a safe space for women in business to collaborate and grow.
So, while attending a global tech conference with fewer than three per cent women among the 150,000 attendees, Zalis decided to invite a few girlfriends to walk the floor with her.
“We called it The Girls’ Lounge—a direct response to the boys’ club,” Zalis tells Women’s Agenda. “Over time, as we connected over 6 million women across 100+ countries and 30+ industries, we evolved from pop-up experiences into a powerful global platform.”
Women’s voices are driving progress
Today, The Female Quotient is dedicated to changing the equation for everyone by ensuring all voices are heard, seen and respected. While the company isn’t in politics specifically, they focus on policy and structural change, using social media as a megaphone for marginalised voices and driving community action.
“We’re seeing a cultural awakening—especially among younger generations—driven by a demand for leadership that reflects lived experiences. Equal opportunity, representation, and inclusive systems are no longer negotiable—they’re expected,” says Zalis.
“Women are the most powerful force for progress. We hold the majority of purchasing power, the majority of voting power, and increasingly, we make up the majority of the workforce. When women are engaged, economies flourish, businesses innovate, and policies evolve. That’s why this moment matters.”
Barriers for women still exist
Despite women being the most powerful force for progress, today’s systems still create barriers for their ambition.
An example of this is the undervaluing of care work, which women overwhelmingly provide. Zalis says that “until we redesign the rules to reflect the realities of today’s workforce, we’ll keep seeing women face not only glass ceilings—but glass cliffs.”
To do this, she says we need to invest in women, including in areas like mentorship, sponsorship and financial support for those running for office. Increasing women’s representation in politics is key to inspiring the next generation of women leaders.
“But it’s not just about getting women to run—it’s about building inclusive systems where they can lead and thrive,” Zalis says.
“That means removing structural barriers like unaffordable childcare, inadequate paid leave, and outdated definitions of leadership. Representation without retention isn’t progress. We need business-driven strategies that deliver long-term, measurable results.”
When it comes to shifting the balance of leadership power within boardrooms, C-suites and governments, Zalis says that inclusion must be embedded in every aspect of an organisation’s DNA. This means it can’t be a checkbox task, it must be a cultural change.
At The Female Quotient, the team pushes companies to measure this change through data, benchmarking and storytelling to ensure that the invisible becomes visible.
“Inclusion isn’t a side initiative—it must be embedded in leadership development, pay structures, promotion pathways, and procurement decisions,” Zalis says. “When inclusion is core to your business strategy, that’s when real change happens—and business thrives.”
Looking towards the future
Growth is happening fast, as Zalis says the team is expanding FQ Media to amplify the voices of their global community and transform content into a catalyst for change.
The team is launching a new platform called LNKx, which Zalis describes as “the modern version of the golf course”, meaning it’s a location where “everyone gets to play, deals are made and relationships are built with intention”.
In partnership with Fortune 500 CEOs, they’re also rolling out a Flipping Point™ Transformation Practice to rewrite outdated workplace systems and accelerate measurable progress.
“And with The Algorithm for Equality®, we’re harnessing the power of AI to identify bias, build inclusive cultures, and future-proof organizations from the inside out,” says Zalis. “From procurement and policy to talent and storytelling, we’re focused on structural solutions that drive impact—and leave a lasting legacy.”
Challenging the status quo
Leading this legacy-making movement, it’s been Zalis’ inspiring drive to take action- without waiting for an invitation- that’s gotten her this far.
“Create your own table, and invite others to join you,” Zalis says to any other women looking to create a powerful impact.
“Surround yourself with people who lift you up, not hold you back. And remember: power isn’t something handed to you—it’s something you choose to own.”
“True power is using your voice, creating space for others, and building systems that reflect all of us. The rules weren’t written with us in mind—but the future? That’s ours to rewrite. Together.”