Meet Kay Holleman—high-profile banking executive whose indomitable spirit and strong sense of self enabled her to hide her cancer while maintaining her position within the banking industry. Not only that, Ms. Holleman managed this at a time when women were just beginning to break the barrier of entering executive ranks. Ms. Holleman refused to let herself be defined by her illness—and chose to view her cancer as a challenge to be met rather than an unbeatable disease.

When Kay Holleman heard her cancer diagnosis, she decided that the risk to her professional life would be too great if she were to reveal her illness. She began her climb up the corporate ladder, fearing all the while that people could see the cancer ravaging her body.

At a time when the banking industry was going through its greatest upheaval since the crash of 1929, Kay fought daily for her life—and for a chair at the executive table. For many years, she hid the effects of an all-consuming disease from
her colleagues.

“Merger, after merger, after merger. The fierceness of the competition eventually plucked out not only those with observable deficiencies in performance, drive, or talent, but also ousted those with far less objectional shortcomings.” What choice did she have but to hide?

Now retired and no longer in the corporate closet, Kay shares her incredible story of success—
and survival.