A Layered Life: Breaking Barriers as a Trailblazing Black Woman in Corporate America

National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist in African American Non-Fiction
Nonfiction Book Awards Bronze Winner
#1 Amazon Best Seller
#1 Hot New Release

An unforgettable memoir of grit, grace, and groundbreaking leadership

Born into deep disadvantage in the 1950s during racial desegregation and before the women’s rights movement, Gladys H. DeClouet shattered expectations by becoming the first female engineer in offshore oil and gas exploration and production. But her story doesn’t stop there. As a pioneering Black woman in corporate America, Gladys climbed to the highest echelons of leadership in both the oil and restaurant industries—ultimately running multibillion-dollar divisions in spaces where women, especially women of color, were rarely welcomed.

A Layered Life is an extraordinary journey through the complexities of race, gender, ambition, and personal loss. With raw vulnerability and unflinching honesty, Gladys shares how she endured and overcame blatant racism, sexism, and sexual harassment. Her story is marked not just by hardship but by joy, self-belief, and an unwavering commitment to help others succeed.

Far more than a business memoir, A Layered Life reads with the pace of a mystery novel and the emotional depth of a personal reckoning. Through heartbreak and triumph, Gladys weaves a powerful message: Life is layered, and each challenge can serve as a stepping stone to growth, purpose, and legacy.

For readers of all backgrounds—especially those navigating the corporate world—this book offers practical insights into developing inspirational leadership, managing diversity and inclusion, building high-performance teams, mentoring, and finding balance without compromising integrity.

A Layered Life will challenge you to reflect on your own life, your values, and your impact on the world around you. It’s not just a story—it’s a call to courage, resilience, and transformation.

Gladys H. DeClouet is a pioneer with an exceptional record of running multibillion-dollar businesses. She forged a path through the oil and restaurant industries. She led divisions at major corporations, such as British Petroleum, Burger King, and Jack in the Box, to financial growth and strategic success. Gladys began her professional career with Conoco Oil as the first female engineer in offshore oil and gas exploration and production and continued to open doors as the first female or first Black female to achieve positions throughout her career. Gladys is a respected leader, recognized for her integrity and ability to attract and develop superior and diverse teams. She is passionate about mentoring and sharing her knowledge and experience with others.

Her influence extends beyond business achievements, as evidenced by her features in Black Enterprise magazine, where she was recognized among the most powerful executives and women in business. Her educational background includes an MBA in Finance & Investment Banking from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Tuskegee University. Actively involved in her community, she has served on several boards. She enjoys music, dancing, and traveling, integrating personal passions with a profound professional legacy. Gladys has since retired and lives in her home state of Florida.