A Layered Life
Breaking Barriers as a Trailblazing Black Woman in Corporate America
About A Layered Life
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 steppingstone 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.
Reviews from the Non Fiction Authors Association Judges
Gladys H. DeClouet's A Layered Life is a deeply relatable and heartfelt memoir that chronicles her remarkable journey as a trailblazing Black woman in corporate America. From her challenging childhood in Jacksonville, Florida, to her groundbreaking career in the oil and restaurant industries, DeClouet delivers a narrative that resonates with authenticity and emotional depth.
A Layered Life is a book worth reading to understand important truths about successful women and minorities in Corporate America. DeClouet gives us both vital tips--such as the reality of a "resume of challenges," how to transfer your abilities to a new industry (the author went from oil and gas to food service), how to rectify inequities in the workplace, and looking at how to make everyone more successful, not just yourself)--and explains, in an open and relatable manner, the incredible challenges of facing intimidation tactics, navigating hate, and dealing with sexual harassment. She lived a "life of many layers" and comes through with a firm message of family first, not a corporation.
What makes this memoir particularly compelling is DeClouet's candid, conversational writing style. From my positionality as a woman of color, I appreciated her authentic and heartfelt telling of difficult moments in her journey: the overt discrimination at Conoco, the subtle but damaging racism from British colleagues at British Petroleum, or the profound personal losses that punctuated her professional ascent. Her optimistic outlook and resilience transform these experiences into an inspiring testament to human perseverance, encouraging readers to find strength in their own struggles.
DeClouet's professional accomplishments are nothing short of extraordinary, especially considering she was a Black American woman born and raised in the Deep South during segregation. As the first female engineer in offshore oil and gas exploration at Conoco, she shattered barriers that seemed insurmountable. Her subsequent executive roles at British Petroleum, Jack in the Box, and Burger King demonstrate not just survival but genuine mastery of male-dominated corporate environments—a feat made all the more remarkable by the systemic obstacles stacked against her from birth.
The personal dimensions of this memoir are equally powerful. DeClouet writes movingly about family tragedies, her husband's health battles, and her own struggles with chronic migraines and spinal stenosis. These vulnerable moments humanize her story, making her triumphs feel earned rather than inevitable.
The book thoughtfully explores themes of race, gender, and cultural identity without becoming preachy. Anyone who has ever overcome the pain of exclusion and tokenization will understand the impact of the intersectionality of race, gender, and other identity dimensions in achieving great heights in corporate settings. DeClouet's reflections on mentorship, integrity, and building inclusive teams offer practical wisdom for today's professionals.
A Layered Life is essential reading for women and people of color striving to break barriers, as well as leaders seeking to understand the lived experiences of those navigating systemic obstacles. DeClouet's story reminds us that success is more than personal achievement; it's about paving the way for future generations while staying true to one's values and prioritizing what truly matters.
A Layered Life is a powerful, honest, and deeply necessary read. This book gives voice to the layered realities of being a Black woman navigating corporate spaces where excellence is often expected, but support, recognition, and equity are not always guaranteed.
What makes this book stand out is its honesty. It does not simply celebrate success; it reveals the resilience, strategy, sacrifice, courage, and emotional intelligence required to break barriers in environments that were not always designed with Black women in mind. The author offers both inspiration and truth, creating a narrative that is personal, professional, and profoundly relevant.
As a Black woman, I found the themes especially meaningful. The book captures what it means to lead, achieve, adjust, persist, and still remain grounded in your identity. It is both a mirror and a roadmap.
I highly recommend this book to women leaders, corporate professionals, mentors, executives, and anyone committed to understanding what leadership, representation, and perseverance truly look like from the inside out.
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About the Author
Gladys H. DeClouet
Former Executive Leader at BP, Burger KIng,
and Jack in the Box
Award-Winning Author | Executive Leadership Speaker.
Gladys is a pioneer with an exceptional record of running multi-billion-dollar businesses. She forged a path through the oil and restaurant industries. She led divisions at major corporations, such as British Petroleum (BP), Burger King (BKC), and Jack in the Box (JBX), 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.
During her 13 years in the restaurant industry, Gladys served as Global Executive Team Member and SVP of North America Operations for Burger King Corporation. She also served as Leadership Council Member and VP of Operations at Jack in the Box. Gladys spent 12 of her 17 years in the oil industry with BP, where she obtained a C-suite executive P&L role, as the Cleveland Division Manager. She was responsible for sales through all channels of trade in the American Headquartered geographic division.
Gladys was featured 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.
Testimonials
Book Launch
On Saturday we had the joy of celebrating one of our dear friends, who just published her very first book, A Layered Life! by Gladys H. DeClouet. The Book Launch Event was held on September 13th, 2025, at Privé at Island Estates and brought together around 40 guests for a truly special afternoon.
Everyone enjoyed the author’s (Ms. DeClouet) engaging presentation, listened to select readings from the book, asked thoughtful questions, and left with personally signed copies. It was a wonderful gathering that highlighted the talent and accomplishments within our own community. A buffet was served for our guests, including a Wine and Champagne Bar with non-alcoholic drinks as well.
A Layered Life: Breaking Barriers as a Trailblazing Black Woman in Corporate America by Gladys H. DeClouet offers an inspiring memoir of resilience, ambition, and trailblazing success. Drawing on her decades-long leadership in corporate America, Ms. DeClouet tells the story of overcoming obstacles as a Black woman in traditionally white male-dominated industries. She shares insights from her journey through senior executive roles, including her work in the oil and restaurant sectors, revealing both the systemic challenges she faced and the strategies she employed to break through.
This book is not just a memoir, it’s a guidebook for readers interested in leadership, diversity, equity, and the power of perseverance. It reminds us that success isn’t one-dimensional, but layered: shaped by personal history, professional ambition, identity, and the courage to challenge the status quo.
News & Articles
Media
Overcoming Sexism and Racism: A Leader's Journey
Talent Transcends Boundaries: Embracing Diversity in Teams
Contact Gladys H. DeClouet
For media inquiries and to book Gladys for your next leadership event, please complete the contact form above or contact Brad DeClouet, Mosaic PR, at bdeclouet.pr.events@gmail.com