Full Circle: A Memoir of Leaning In Too Far and the Journey Back

Montella, who was chief financial officer of Lehman Brothers during the financial collapse of 2008, chronicles the rise and fall of her career in this compelling and thoughtful memoir. Montella (then Erin Callan) grew up in Queens, N.Y., where she excelled academically and in tennis and gymnastics. After attending Harvard she went on to NYU Law, eventually landing a job as a corporate tax lawyer. In 1995, Callan felt the need for a significant change and resigned even though she was on the path to make partner; she landed at Lehman Brothers, where she remained for the next 13 years, working relentlessly (at one point the natural gas company called to ask why she hadn't turned on her stove in 18 months). As the author traveled the world, married, divorced, and devoted herself to her career, she "leaned in" so far that she nearly lost herself. Callan is her own worst critic, in hindsight appalled by her disregard for personal relationships and self-care. When Lehman Brothers fell and her professional world collapsed along with the global market, Callan had to rebuild and refocus her life; fortunately, she had gained the wisdom necessary to welcome love and balance. The realm of high-stakes finance is authentically portrayed in this ultimately uplifting story of transformation. (BookLife)