Gabriele M. Paltzer-Lang

Gabriele M. Paltzer-Lang, M.A.E., founder of the Salon de l’Esprit, studied at New York’s New School for Social Research, moving on to the University of Zurich to complete her master’s degree in Applied Ethics. Her thesis focused on the different ways in which women and men think and act and on the underrepresentation of women in decision-making bodies, both in business and in society as a whole. Drawing on feminist ethics, she presented a moral case for the increased representation of women, a theme upon which she has also lectured and written guest commentaries. Seeking to test the validity of her master’s thesis and to discover whether diversity actually exists and is lived in practice, she conducted further research through conversations on leadership with business leaders, the findings of which are presented in A Feminine Voice. Gabriele is married, the mother of three adult children and her open, hospitable Zurich home is the centre of the Salon de l’Esprit, a venue of ceaseless human encounter and lively discussion. When not serving as the salonière, Gabriele draws strength from playing the organ, making daily pilgrimages into the oeuvre of J.S. Bach.