“Who we notice. What we ask. How we listen. When we meet these everyday decisions with an open mind, we make space for whole new worlds to emerge.”

Emily Gawlak is Co-Executive Director of Coqual’s Global Lab, where she leads qualitative research, data narratives, and collaborative insight development.

Emily’s expertise lies in spotting the often-invisible forces of power, identity, belonging, and beyond that shape our working lives. Her passion lies in listening to every voice—from executives to experts to entry-level employees—with curiosity and care. This unique approach bridges rigor with real-world relevance to foster meaningful dialogue, human connection, and systemic change.

She recently co-led Pride Under Pressure: Charting a Course for Global LGBTQ+ Inclusion, which introduced Coqual’s Strategic Navigator. She was lead writer and a key architect behind many of Coqual’s most cited research across cohorts and continents, including the Equity and Belonging series, Challenging Gender Norms, and Being Black in Corporate America.

Emily’s work centers the magic and joy of co-creation. She has partnered with executive teams, global advisors, and a multidisciplinary bench of fellows and researchers to tackle thorny, transformational questions, like: Whose perspectives are missing as we plan for the future of work? How do we create the conditions for everyone to feel safe speaking up? Who gets to define what success and good leadership looks like?

Emily is a dynamic speaker and facilitator on topics ranging from intersectional cohort insights to inclusive leadership and communicating across difference—and she is always excited to convene a conversation on the next big challenge.

She brings an agile, multidisciplinary approach to leadership—shaped by an eclectic early career across corporate, nonprofit, and creative sectors. Her background spans journalism, instructional design, live event production, and cultural criticism, all grounded in a lifelong love of language, storytelling, and bringing people together. She studied English at the University of Virginia.

Outside of Coqual, you’ll find her wandering New York City (probably in search of pizza), thrifting for treasures, or happily lost in a detective story (recommendations welcome).