Climb: Taking Every Step with Conviction, Courage, and Calculated Risk to Achieve a Thriving Career and a Successful Life

"Michelle Gadsden-Williams has accomplished something rare for a black woman in America: maintained a successful corporate career at the highest level. Climb is the story of her journey to the top, and her generous effort to send the elevator back down for the rest of us."
— Tiffany Dufu, author of Drop the Ball

"Gadsden-Williams has written a brilliant book that reveals how companies can leverage diversity as a competitive advantage in today's marketplace. With vivid stories from her twenty-five years [of experience], Climb is a book that will reframe HR into a powerful strategy function for twenty-first century organizations."
— John Gerzema, New York Times best-selling author of The Athena Doctrine

"Gadsden-Williams has used her personal story of resiliency to provide invaluable insight into how to build a fulfilling life, not just a career. She pulls no punches when sharing her experiences as an African American woman determined to fulfill her dream to help others live up to their potential."
— Linda A. Hill, professor, Harvard Business School, and author of Being the Boss

"Most organizations were not designed for women of color. [In Climb ] Gadsden-Williams takes us on a journey of her career—the winding road of making tough career and family decisions, seeking out and shaping opportunities, and walking away when others thought she should stay. There is raw, sincere vulnerability displayed in this book...[and there] is also a call to action—intentionally shape your career and be an active partner in shaping the organizations you are a part of. Thank you for sharing your story! I am sure it will be an inspiration to its readers. Keep climbing!"
— Katherine W. Phillips, Paul Calello Professor of Leadership and Ethics, Columbia Business School

"A frank memoir plus career guide, Michelle Gadsden-Williams shares personal stories of self-assurance, resilience, and bravery that serve as lessons for women in the workplace. This book is essential reading."
— Angela Rye, CEO, IMPACT Strategies

"This might be 2018, but things still aren’t coming up rosy for black women in corporate America. Michelle Gadsden-Williams has played at the highest levels in the corporate world, and in Climb, she offers valuable insight that is crucial to the development of the next generation of black female business leaders."
— Roland S. Martin, host/managing editor, NewsOne Now and senior analyst, Tom Joyner Morning Show

"Michelle Gadsden-Williams gives us the gift of her wisdom and candor. Too often our struggles are hidden from the outside world so we are led to believe we are the only ones. Gadsden-Williams weaves together her deep industry expertise with her personal story to give actionable success tips to navigate the workplace on your own terms. Bravo, Michelle!"
— Lisa Skeete Tatum, founder and CEO, Landit

"Michelle Gadsden-Williams combines firsthand accounts, historical data, scientific research, and down-to-earth how-to advice to help women in the workplace. This is an informative book for all, but especially women of color who feel they cannot break through the concrete ceiling to achieve success. Climb is a bold, inspiring manifesto for professional career women on what it takes to climb to corporate heights in America."
— Soledad O’Brien, journalist

Renowned as a diversity and inclusion strategist, Gadsden-Williams held C-Suite positions at major organizations for many years...and then took the off-ramp to probe a different career path, launching Ceiling Breakers LLC, with the primary goal to help women and professionals of color reach their full potential.

As a woman of color and corporate executive who has worked and traveled the world for several Fortune 500 companies—all while managing a chronic illness—she provides insight into overcoming the barriers facing professionals in today's workplace.

In Climb, Gadsden-Williams combines her inspirational life story with pragmatic solutions to address problems facing women in corporate America, offering a professional playbook for tackling today's most pressing workplace issues.