Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead: Triumphant Tales for Working Women to Overcome Adversity, Fear, and Self-Doubt

By Gayle Keller

Tales of Triumph!

 

This book illuminates the common issues women face in the workplace such as lack of confidence, competition from fellow colleagues, workplace bullying, sexual harassment, and mental health issues. Through storytelling and implementable solutions, Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead will show you how to blueprint your career, work on your own terms, and follow what tugs at your heartstrings to live a more balanced and fulfilled life.

Follow five professional women ("Theodoras") who are intelligent, strong, and successful in male dominated S.T.E.A.M. career industries. Keller brilliantly portrays real-world case studies, examples, and actions so that you can immediately apply them to your own circumstances. You'll learn how to incorporate her five-pillar methodology on how to take calculated professional risks to gain the following superpowers:

- Clarity
- Courage
- Decisiveness
- Confidence
- Balance

Join the Journey of the Theodoras and be inspired by each case study as she examines herself and navigates her way toward success.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gayle Keller LLC
• Release date: Oct 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9798986427928

Book preview

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT FULL S.T.E.A.M. AHEAD

Gayle’s book illustrates the journey of similar women in S.T.E.A.M. who have made the brave choice to move onto the next phase of their life’s path, some out of necessity and some out of choice. Through their stories and her wise guidance, there are lessons to be gleaned for women contemplating a similar set of options. For some it makes sense to stay in their corporate jobs, and use these learnings to better navigate the corporate ladder. In addition, Gayle’s insights can serve corporate management teams who seek to retain their best people, and how to adopt and apply DEI best practices to support and empower the talented women they’ve worked so hard to recruit and train.

— Kelli Richards, President & Chief Connection Officer at The All Access Group LLC

This book shows the importance of gender inclusivity when it comes to closing the gender gaps in the S.T.E.A.M. fields.

— Esther Wojcicki, Co-Founder of Tract.app and the Godmother of Silicon Valley

The ‘all-boys’ club is no more! Gayle’s book dives full S.T.E.A.M. ahead into the lives of successful women as they navigate each individual landscape on their way to full empowerment. Nothing comes easy and whether you’re a man or a woman, this book will give you the tools to conquer every challenge & steamroll every obstacle in the workplace.

— Jeffrey Hayzlett, Primetime TV & Podcast Host, Speaker, Author, and Part-Time Cowboy

Gayle ‘gets it’ and has a style that empowers others to learn and exude confidence.

— Lori Dempsey, Senior Business Applications Sales Executive, Microsoft

"Challenges in the workplace abound - especially for women in S.T.E.A.M. careers. Gender bias is more subtle than it was when I started my career, but its hidden nature makes it more insidious. Don’t be beat by it. Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead offers actionable and transformative tools to cut through the obstacles and chart your course to empowerment and leadership."

— Janine Firpo, Author of Activate Your Money and Co-Founder, Invest for Better

TRIUMPHANT TALES for Working Women to Overcome Adversity, Fear, and Self-Doubt

FULL

S.T.E.A.M.

AHEAD

Copyright © 2022, Gayle Keller

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by

any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical (including any information

storage retrieval system) without the express written permission from

the author, except in the case of brief quotations for use in articles and

reviews wherein appropriate attribution of the source is made.

Publishing support provided by

Ignite Press

5070 N. Sixth St. #189

Fresno, CA 93710

www.IgnitePress.us

ISBN: 979-8-9864279-0-4

ISBN: 979-8-9864279-1-1 (Hardcover)

ISBN: 979-8-9864279-2-8 (E-book)

For bulk purchase and for booking, contact:

Gayle Keller

[e-mail]

https://www.GayleKeller.org

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, web addresses or links contained in this book may have been changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The content of this book and all expressed opinions are those of the author and do not reflect the publisher or the publishing team. The author is solely responsible for all content included herein.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022910792

Cover design by Anis El Idrissi

Edited by Elizabeth Arterberry

Interior design by Jetlaunch

FIRST EDITION

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to the future leaders of this world: my beautiful daughters, Taylor and Avery, who inspire me every day with greater hope for our future. I love being your mother and love watching you confidently and courageously chase your dreams. Remember, I am always in your hearts.

To my husband, James: I’m incredibly grateful for your unwavering support and encouragement as I chase my dreams of leaving this world a more equitable place. Thank you for being my partner while we raise two incredibly strong, competent, intelligent, beautiful, fun, and charismatic girls.

To my nieces, Harper Wolski, Sloan Wolski, and Karsyn Keller, and my Goddaughters, Harper, Natalie Manfredini, and Tessa Trentacosti: may the work of my generation build a strong, empowering, and equitable platform for your generation, and may you always know your inner superpowers and follow your inner wisdom.

To my Godson and nephew, Grayson Keller: may you always continue to support, empower, and believe in the women and men who surround you, and be a leader who others want to follow.

To my brother, Ryon: Thank you for being my little big brother. I’m forever grateful for the strong bond that we share where we both look out for each other and are each other’s champions and confidantes. The world is a better place because your most powerful legacy is your beautiful family.

To my mother, Julie Wolski (a.k.a. Chief): You taught me how to laugh at myself, to have a sense of humor, and to always emulate kindness—as well as instilling in me a love of cooking. For Ryon and me, you taught and modeled living with a positive spirit and always finding the small positive in a negative situation, because that positive will get us through it, guiding us to recreate ourselves into even stronger people than we could have imagined. Thank you for always believing in me and loving me unconditionally. I love you forever.

To my late father, Edward Wolski: You instilled within me a great work ethic and showed me what it means to live and model an inclusive community and world. Your gift of unmatched wit made it easy for everyone to genuinely feel welcome in your presence. Your Great Wolski Pour certainly contributed to every ounce of fun you shared each and every time. If you were ever on the receiving end of my dad’s limitless gift of hospitality, you know what I mean. You earned your wings on Christmas Eve 2021. Dad, please continue to send signs of encouragement and guidance as you watch over us. I love you forever.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I also would like to acknowledge those who have been in my life, supported me, and encouraged me to pursue my dreams, as well as to stand up and speak out when necessary.

To my late grandfather, Theodore, who taught me anything is possible if I put my mind and elbow grease into it. I have his antique radio which inspired this book and my podcast series, Theodora Speaks™, as I liken podcasts to radio. I carry his entrepreneurial spirit and craving for good tasting rye bread, Polish sausage, and horseradish, and a guilty pleasure of collecting stylish shoes.

To my late Aunt Marion Lawson Hunter and Mrs. Elaine Love: Your confidence and courage were contagious. Thank you for instilling survival traits in me to last a lifetime.

To my sisters-in-law, Lindsey Wolski and Karolina Keller: Keep up the great work. You are wonderful mothers and aunts.

To the sister I never had whom I love dearly, my soul sister and cousin, Dr. Lisa Manfredini: Thank you for being a guiding light in my life. You are someone I admire and treasure. A martini and oysters always taste better in your presence.

To my beautifully talented and loving Confirmation sponsor and dear friend, Joan Bufalino: Thank you for always believing in me. I have never stopped looking up to you.

To my cousin Mary Koziol: from playing Barbies and riding bikes as kids to raising children of our own, life (and Kool-Aid!) is sweeter with you!

To the greatest networker I know, Curtis R. Simic: your friendship and mentorship are some of the greatest gifts I received during my collegiate experience at Indiana University.

To my kindred spirits and dear friends: your friendship has blessed me in helping me become a more confident, courageous, and braver person. You all are such incredibly strong, beautiful, and talented women.

Lindsey Seavert Harrison

Amy Dryer

Adrienne Trentacosti

Amy Stevens

Beth Swierk

Lara Massouras

Lisa Doherty

Abbie Mota

Adrienne Williams LaBorwit

Claire Sayers

Cheryl Maletich

Erin Slone

Jill Martay

Tricia Winterich

Kristen Eder

Michelle Harkin

Amy Gillard

Lea Dan

Donna Kowalik

Abby Main

To my smart mentors, Mary Powaga Anderson, Romi Mahajan, and James Wang, who saw something in me and said yes when I asked them to be my mentor.

To my valued business sponsors, Mark Everix, Kate Johnson, Rob Nehrbas III, and Jeff Jaeger: thank you for challenging me at every turn and for speaking positively on my behalf.

To my incredible business coach, Kelli Richards, who sees brilliantly around corners and is a strategic visionary where technology and media intersect.

To my irreplaceable managers, Craig Mandel, Sateen Manik, and John Siefert, who took a risk on hiring me. I learned a great deal and grew taller under your guidance.

To my favorite graduate professor, Candy Lee: You made education fun and memorable. You gave me the courage and sharpened my skills to take my leap of faith.

To my Theodora Speaks podcast guests: thank you all for sharing your inspiring and empowering stories that positively impact the world and aid in closing the gender gap in the S.T.E.A.M. fields.

And a special thank you to my fabulously talented book strategist, editor, and new friend, Cindy Tschosik.

Thank you all for believing in me. If it were not for all of you, I would not be the woman that I am today.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword: Curtis R. Simic, President Emeritus of the Indiana University Foundation

Introduction

The First Pillar: Clarity

Silla, the Sensational Scientist

The Second Pillar: Decisiveness

Tyriqa, the Decisive Technologist

The Third Pillar: Confidence

Elaine, the Confident Engineer

The Fourth Pillar: Courage

Antonia, the Courageous Artist

The Fifth Pillar: Balance

Maalika, the Balanced Mathematician

Epilogue

About the Author

FOREWORD

Curtis R. Simic, President Emeritus of the Indiana University Foundation

Gayle Wolski Keller has amazing skills of observation, perception, and analysis that began to emerge when I met her as a student at Indiana University. She headed a 300-member student organization that created and executed plans for major events to raise money for working student scholarships. Today, and in the book, her apparent values continue to be respect for others, empathy, a habit of listening in a very focused way, and the ability to recognize subtle nuances. As a leader, it’s important to identify points of tension, even friction, to identify areas requiring improvement and enable her to formulate strategies to move matters and people towards optimum solutions. While attending Indiana, she was always respectful of herself and others because she knew then and knows now that all progress is built on mutual trust and clear, unambiguous conversation.

Recognizing today’s cultural issues and the disparity of outcomes and opportunities for women that still persist in today’s workplace, Keller was inspired to write this book to help women deal with the challenges they face in the workplace, including workplace bullying, sexual harassment, competition with fellow colleagues, lack of confidence, and mental health issues.

In doing so, she has added an important chapter to open the dialogue even more and support the quest to level the playing field as women pursue successful and satisfying careers in S.T.E.A.M. The playing field must be leveled. The stories of The Five Theodoras depict everyday women from five different cultures in the five different areas of S.T.E.A.M. who face, unfortunately, five common situations in today’s society. As each life and challenge unfolds, Keller provides strategies and directions that can help women reach their full potential while adding value to the enterprises in which they are working. Following along with them and their experiences personalizes the deep bruises, being held back, or even being pushed aside and how they are propelled to overcome them, rise above, and ultimately succeed.

Thoreau wrote, Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined. Those are empowering words, indeed, but there is not a single set of directions that is a fit for every woman. The five different journeys can be drawn upon, not exclusively or separately, but selectively to find which aspects come together to provide the unique plan for a single person.

Gayle’s insights reflect her values—as do the works of all effective leaders. She is sensitive to the needs