Unapologetically Ambitious

Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms

by Shellye Archambeau

"Unapologetically Ambitious" (2020) charts Shellye Archambeau's climb to becoming one of Silicon Valley's rare African American female CEOs. It's packed with the key lessons, mindsets, and tactics that fueled her success.

Who's Shellye Archambeau? She's a titan in the business world with over three decades of tech leadership under her belt. With a 15-year stint at IBM and a transformative role as CEO of a Silicon Valley startup turned industry leader MetricStream, she knows her stuff. Archambeau also shares her wisdom as a Fortune 500 board member and through guest lectures at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Forge your own path to success and nail those goals!

Back in high school, Shellye Archambeau had her eyes on the prize: becoming a CEO. Given her background as an African American woman who grew up during the civil rights era, her ambition was nothing short of bold.

Facing not just racial prejudice but also the societal pressures of being a working mom and wife, Shellye climbed to the top ranks at IBM. She didn't stop there; she carved out a space for herself as one of the few Black female CEOs in the tech world, all while crafting the family life she dreamed of.

How did she make it happen? Shellye was brought up with the conviction that you can manufacture your own fortune and boost your odds of success, no matter your starting point. By laying out clear goals, planning with precision, and equipping herself to grab opportunities, Shellye transformed her dreams into achievements—and you can too.

Dive into these insights to discover:

• Strategies for beating imposter syndrome;

• The wisdom in sometimes accepting less to gain more; and

• How to navigate obstacles from people or situations.