Episode 93: Stop Asking Permission with Shelley Zalis

Part of our "Badass Women in Media" series brought to you by our amazing sponsor Equativ. The incredible Shelley Zalis (CEO of The Female Quotient) launched the Girls’ Lounge in a Four Seasons bedroom with 50 women and turned it into a 7.5-million-member global movement. She reveals why she refused $250K in funding to keep the name at Davos, how she rewrote workplace rules by leaving at 5 p.m. without apology while raising three kids, and why empathy and compassion are the most critical leadership skills today. Plus: the moment she ripped her hair out of a ponytail in front of a legend in a purple leather suit and stopped apologizing for being a woman. If you've ever waited for permission to be yourself, this will light a fire.About Shelley Zalis: Shelley Zalis, CEO and Founder, of The Female Quotient (The FQ), and widely known as the “Chief Troublemaker”, is a trailblazing entrepreneur and global advocate for creating workplaces that work for everyone. She is redefining leadership and driving change across industries. Under Zalis’s leadership, The FQ has grown into a leading media and events company with the largest global community of women in business, connecting over 7 million professionals across 30 industries in more than 100 countries. The organization produces premium events, editorial, and social content that connect top brands with influential leaders worldwide. Renowned for The FQ LoungeTM, immersive spaces at industry conferences and cultural events, including the World Economic Forum in Davos, Cannes Lions, CES, and the Super Bowl, Zalis has created platforms where leaders convene to share ideas, spark action, and foster workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Previously, Zalis transformed the market research sector by founding Online Testing Exchange (OTX), which she later sold to Ipsos. She also co-created #SeeHer, an initiative promoting accurate portrayals of women and girls in media. A sought-after thought leader, Zalis is a LinkedIn Top 20 Most Influential Voice and a contributor to TIME, Forbes, and IMD. Her accolades include the Matrix Award, Industry Legend Award, Mosaic Award, EY Entrepreneur of the Year, and a spot on the Global Leaders 50 List. In 2024, The Female Quotient was named one of Fast Company’s Brands That Matter. Through bold leadership and innovative action, Zalis is creating a new blueprint for workplace transformation.About The Female Quotient: The Female Quotient (The FQ) is a leading experience, media and advisory company and home to the largest global community of women in business, connecting more than 7 million professionals across 30 industries. Dedicated to redefining leadership and driving visibility for women, The FQ produces premium events and social-first content that unite top brands with influential leaders worldwide. Known for its signature FQ Lounge™, immersive spaces at major conferences and cultural events, The FQ creates experiences online and in-person that help women succeed at work and in life. Through bold conversations, dynamic content and thought-leadership, The FQ is inspiring a future of work that works for everyone. Discover more at thefemalequotient.com This episode has been brought to you by Equativ. Equativ is a global, end-to-end media platform empowering advertisers and publishers to achieve real outcomes by uniting premium inventory, dynamic creative formats, and engaged audiences with advanced curation and AI-powered ad tech across all channels. Purpose-built for the attention economy, Equativ delivers quality, engagement, and performance while prioritizing respectful, user-centric ad experiences. With a team of over 750 professionals across 19 countries, Equativ combines global scale with deep local expertise. Learn more at Equativ.com.Website: https://www.equativ.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/equativ/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equativ__/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@equativ