When Dr. Pam Gurley introduces herself, she doesn’t start with the impressive list of professional hats she wears—author, CEO, professor, journalist. Instead, she begins with something much simpler: her love for people, food, and travel. It’s this grounded authenticity that has guided her through a career spanning psychology, government service, entrepreneurship, writing, and education.
Speaking on Changemaker Q&A, Dr. Gurley reflected on her journey from early days as a nursing student and military medic to her current work as a business professor, author of children’s books, and founder of several companies. Her story is not a linear path but rather a series of intentional pivots—each step shaped by curiosity, courage, and a willingness to learn.
From Behavioral Health to Entrepreneurship
After beginning her professional career in behavioral health and family advocacy with the U.S. Army, Dr. Gurley experienced first-hand the stigma around therapy in the early 2000s. At a time when mental health care was rarely discussed openly, she saw both the need and the barriers. Although she initially pursued advanced degrees in psychology and health service administration, she eventually shifted her focus to government budget and finance, where she worked for more than a decade.
In 2022, she made what she describes as a “now or never” leap—resigning from her government role to commit fully to her company and creative work. Research from the Kauffman Foundation shows that women of color remain underrepresented in entrepreneurship, yet they are among the fastest-growing groups of business founders in the U.S. source. Dr. Gurley’s decision reflects both the risks and the opportunities in forging a nontraditional path.
Writing as Activism
Though she never set out to become an author, writing emerged as a powerful way for Dr. Gurley to channel her experiences and amplify underrepresented voices. Her first solo book, I Am Not a Stereotype, I Am HER, explored the ways societal expectations can traumatize children and women of color, while offering a roadmap for self-acceptance.
This was followed by Black Girl Activist and the Brown Girl, Brown Boy children’s book series, which she has since published in multiple languages. In creating stories that reflect diverse experiences, Dr. Gurley aims to fill the gaps she noticed in her own childhood reading. Research supports this need: according to the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, less than half of children’s books published in the U.S. in 2022 featured characters from racially diverse backgrounds source.
Lessons for Changemakers
For young people seeking direction, Dr. Gurley advises asking questions, modeling those who inspire you, and not being afraid of failure. “Failure sometimes is the best thing,” she shared, emphasizing that it often signals the need for a different approach rather than an end point.
Equally important, she cautions against equating productivity with progress. “Sometimes we can be productive doing the wrong thing,” she said. Instead, she urges changemakers to focus on being intentional—choosing how and where to spend their time with purpose, while balancing ambition with self-care.
Building Impact with Intention
Dr. Gurley’s career offers an important lesson for changemakers navigating complex challenges: impact is not about titles or output, but about clarity, courage, and contribution. Her work—whether in classrooms, boardrooms, or children’s book pages—centers on creating space for authenticity, representation, and resilience.
Her advice to those struggling with confidence is both simple and profound: being different is beautiful. For changemakers working to build more inclusive futures, it’s a reminder that leadership begins not with doing more, but with being fully ourselves.
