Stephanie Battaglino - Reflections from Both Sides of the Glass Ceiling: Finding My True Self in Corporate America

Stephanie Battaglino has the gifts of a natural storyteller. This is the story of her remarkable life and journey to becoming the full human being, the authentic woman that was always the core of her soul. Today, while Transgender people are making great strides, we have precious few individuals who can tell the story of gender transition from within the elite executive offices of corporate America. Stephanie tells that story with honesty, grace, and wit. And in telling that story, she reinforces the essential values of respect, opportunity and hard work.

Lisa Middleton, Mayor Pro Tem, Palm Springs, California

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In a detailed, personal account of metamorphosis, Stephanie Battaglinos story of her internal and external transition from male to female fills you in on the inner turmoil and psychic pain caused by the discovery that you dont align with societys concepts of gender. Her story also gives insight into how transgender people can soar after finding their true self and the courage to live it. Couple that with the realization that her male privilege also ended with her transformation, and the reader receives a wide angled view of how our multiple identities intertwine to create the person we are and the person the world perceives. If you want to understand the people in the transgender community--and find yourself as an ally, too--Stephanies book is a great guide.

Steve Humerickhouse, Executive Director at The Forum on Workplace Inclusion, a program of Augsburg University

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Reflections from Both Sides of the Glass Ceiling sheds light on the private struggles so many trans people have faced in solitude. The book is an insiders guide to being a better LGBTQ+ ally in the workplace and beyond, offering us a unique and necessary look at white privilege and gender bias. By telling it like it is, Stephanie Battaglino debunks the mystery around the trans experience through her authenticity, humility, and humor. She is a trans pioneer who has the courage to wear her heart on her sleeve, calling us to join her on her journey from shame to acceptance.

M. Dru Levasseur, Esq., Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at National LGBT Bar Association

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Stephanie Battaglino speaks from the heart in Reflections from Both Sides of the Glass Ceiling. This book is perfect for those who desire real insight into the complexities of diversity, inclusion and equity. I found this to be a very capable source for improving ones awareness and advancing inclusive behavior skills. I was inspired by this books courageous authenticity. For all those who desire to make a difference in building effective workplace relationships by being an ally and an advocate, this is a must read!

May Snowden, Senior Fellow & Program Director, Human Capital Practice, The Conference Board

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Reflections is a moving personal account of the challenges that Stephanie faced as a transgender woman seeking to find her place at work and in life as her true self. But its also a primer on the near-universal struggles that transgender people still face on a daily basis. Reflections is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand these unique challenges and help make workplaces and our society better and more inclusive for everyone.

Michael Silverman, former Executive Director of the Transgender Defense & Legal Education Fund (TLDEF)

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This book is a must read to understand corporate culture and how important perspective really is in this world. Stephanies journey is a great tale of why inclusion ultimately makes the difference in peoples lives. I enjoyed this great read and highly recommend it!

Ashley Brundage, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Leader, Author of Empowering Differences

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We hear a lot about trans people in the media, but its rare that we get such a warm welcome into the up close and personal view of those individuals real-life experiences. Stephanies stories of transitioning on the job in corporate America -- and the wisdom gained along the way -- offer an insightful voice in the gender equity conversation. A must-read for workplace inclusion warriors!

C. Michael Woodward, MPH, Transgender and LGBTQ+ Inclusion Expert

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Stephanie Battaglino has woven a powerful and inspiring story, spanning everything from corporate culture, to self-discovery, to gender politics, to indispensable professional advice. With a unique and relatable voice, Stephanie seamlessly guides readers between humor, honesty, and hope. As a cisgender woman, I found Reflections from Both Sides of the Glass Ceiling immensely illuminating and insightful. But make no mistake: this book will universally resonate with anyone who has felt like an outsider in corporate Americaregardless of gender identity.

Jennifer Brown, Founder & CEO, Jennifer Brown Consulting

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In Reflections from Both Sides of the Glass Ceiling, Stephanie Battaglino gives us a glimpse of the unique experiences of transgender people who transition at work and an understanding of how gender affects workplace experience in tangible and inescapable ways. Warm, funny, and insightful Stephanie allows us to look at the intersection of gender and power in an approachable way. This book is a must read for leaders seeking to understand how identity shapes workplace experience and their role in creating welcoming, equitable spaces for all.

Beck Bailey, Former Director, Workplace Equality Program, Human Rights Campaign (HRC)

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Stephanie Battaglinos lifeline is authenticity. As a proud transgender woman, and as a business leader and storyteller, her passion for authenticity has inspired a full life and a remarkable career. Her memoir is a truly rewarding way to open doors, minds and hearts.

Bob Witeck, President Witeck Communications, Inc.

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This most engaging book is a treasure map to an intimate understanding of the challenges, sacrifices, and joyful fulfillment of being a self-affirmed woman who is transgender. Stephanies honest storytelling is compelling and enlightening. As she makes clear, its just one persons tale, but her very personal sharing will open hearts and minds and will resonate with anyone who has made the heros journey to authentic living.

Brian McNaught, author of Brian McNaughts Guide to LGBTQ Issues in the Workplace, The godfather of gay diversity training The New York Times

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Both Sides of the Glass Ceiling: Finding My True Self in Corporate America is a businesswomans memoir about how she transitioned while working as a senior executive at New York Life. Her experience provides a unique perspective on the glass ceiling in business from the viewpoint of a male who became female and unexpectedly confronted the disparity in not just income, but respect between the genders.

Many books are now on the market covering the social impact of transitioning. However, more so than most, Stephanie Battaglinos candid discussion of the business world is striking from the start and will open many eyes to the issues: I have lived a life on both sides of the glass ceiling. On one side, I came into the world identified by an anatomy that said to society I was male, even though inside I knew I was really female. On the other side of the glass, I lived with the privilege afforded to most white males and did not understand what that privilege really meant until I lost it. When I stepped into my office as Stephanie, a trans woman and a person that most of my colleagues saw as female, I suddenly found myself looking at the glass ceiling from a very uncomfortable perspectivewith my nose firmly pressed up against it, thinking, How far I have fallen! But thats not even the half of it. What happened at that moment was just the first of many challenges I faced in finding my true self in corporate America.