In this episode, we meet retired corporate executive and author Gladys DeClouet, whose memoir A Layered Life: Breaking Barriers as a Trailblazing Black Woman in Corporate America shares the truth behind visible success—adversity, resilience, and the pressure of being “the first” in rooms never designed for you.

Gladys reflects on leading multi-billion-dollar businesses across the oil and restaurant industries, what it took to stand her ground as the only woman (or only Black woman) in technical and executive spaces, and why inclusive leadership builds higher-performing teams when it’s backed by clear vision, trust, and respect. You’ll also hear her practical “engineering mindset” for navigating challenges, her non-negotiable commitment to integrity, and the lessons she hopes the next generation carries forward.

You can learn more about Gladys and get her book at: https://gladysdeclouet.com/