Zallis' pioneering mission in reshaping online research and propelling gender equality in the workplace through her audacious venture The Female Quotient.

In today's fast-paced world, shaping the future of work is an arduous endeavour. On his recent Speed of Culture Podcast, Matt Britton explored this development expedition with renowned disruptor and gender equality champion, Shelley Zalis.In the heart of the enlightening conversation with Zalis, Britton unravels the truths behind her mantra: “I hire for passion, train for skill. Zalis's ethos demonstrates her firm belief that tenacity and resilience drive success. After all, passion fuels determination amidst adversity and closer to innovation.A forerunner in online research, Zalis ventured into fair unfamiliar territory in 2000. The founder of OTX, she faced plausible skepticism while navigating unchartered waters. Emulating the innovator, the imitator, and the sweeper, she dared to test boundaries, learn from errors, and streamline an efficient digital research ecosystem. Zalis's relentless perseverance epitomizes an authentic innovator, culminating her triumphant transition from traditional to online research.Before birthing OTX, Zalis held a role at an old-school research establishment. Facing patriarchal impediments and disregard for her ideas, she displayed resilience and ambition, making her vision a reality. Upon failing to garner support from her superiors, she took the initiative, forging her path to tectonic shifts in digital research.Defying the odds, Shelley redirected her proposal to industry giant Nielsen, marking a pivotal movement in her career. Driven by the ethos“hire for passion; train for skill”, she embodies this principle in her own entrepreneurial journey, attributing her success to fervency and persistence. Through her vigilance, she engendered a new era in online research.Recognizing the struggles and silences of women in workspaces, she initiated The Girls Lounge, a vibrant network advocating women supporting women. Triggered by her quest for a support system during her trailblazing journey, she envisioned an empowering sphere for females.Starting as a pop-up space for collaborative connections away from the daunting boys' clubs exerting their influence over industryconferences, it quickly gained momentum. A small but significant stride evolved into a global movement. Zalis’s Female Quotient now crusades to balance equations and bridge the gender gap worldwide.With The Female Quotient, Zalis is not only encouraging women but actively pushing the boundaries of a deep-rooted patriarchal system. She underscores the need for business leaders to act consciously, prioritizing gender equality as a strategic objective. Her assertion resonates with one of the United Nations' key sustainable development goals—gender equality.In an era of data-suffused workplaces, leadership has the capability to subvert systemic hurdles contributing to workplace gender inequality. To Zalis, the intentionality of fighting gender disparity is a reins within reach of every leader—the power to utilize insights to overhaul the legacy narrative.As Matt Britton unpacked the profound insights Zalis offered in this interview, it’s clear that corporations cannot afford to underestimate the marriage of passion and resilience in shaping the future of work. In essence, the interview defines a blueprint for a progressive workspace, one fueled by relentless innovation, equality, and a purpose-driven workforce.The Speed of Culture Podcast with Matt Britton is available for listening:Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0uT4r3klBUv8lzQe2PgW1JListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-speed-of-culture-podcast/id1617896513