Flo Weber-Zuanigh
Flo Weber-Zuanigh is a French mama of 2 living in the UK. She is also a certified life and career coach and the founder of Diversity in the Boardroom. They focus on helping companies reduce the privilege gap in the workplace through 1 to 1 coaching, workshops and bespoke training. They are ultimately aiming for a more diverse and representative leadership.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before the venture/ corporate journey?
I spent 12 years in media and advertising before retraining and launching my business. I worked across different clients and industries during that time but it never felt quite right. What was really bringing me joy was helping my team to develop, grow and thrive. Seemed fitting to move into coaching.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business/initiative? What motivated you within to say “YES, go for it!”
After I had my first baby, I wanted to change my career for something more purposeful. As I was retraining to become a coach and facilitator, I thought a lot about who I wanted to help. In parallel I was on a more mindful diversity, equity and inclusion learning journey after the events of 2020. Being a new mom, I was thinking a lot about how all parents should be able to let their children dream about their future without any barriers. So with my background in leading teams in a somewhat corporate environment, it made sense to focus on helping people historically marginalised and excluded from boardrooms smash it in their career and life on their own terms.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
The aim of Diversity in the Boardroom is to help companies achieve a much more diverse leadership, board and much more inclusive workplaces. Representation matters beyond the walls of a boardroom.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
As a mother of 2, launching my own business definitely felt outside my comfort zone and one of the scariest things I could do. But it also felt like the right thing to do for myself and our family. I wouldn’t be honest with my children by telling them they “can do anything” and then not believing it for myself. I am really proud of that.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
For women especially, all women, I’d love them to truly know that we can have it all. We can have ambition, a career, family, love, care, balance, and fulfillment… Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women’s leadership today?
During the first couple of years of the pandemic we saw really scary figures about women having to leave the workplace, especially to take on more of the childcare and home tasks. Some women came back to the workforce as self employed, entrepreneurs or joined workplaces that embrace more flexibility today. I think it’s the start of something beautiful for women in leadership. Not compromising on the life-work balance and still reaching new heights.
What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
If you feel what you want is out of your reach, go for it. It can be insanely scary, but what’s outside your comfort zone is so incredibly worth it. That is where fulfilment awaits.