Inspirational Women in STEM and Tech: Dr Kimberly Clay of Play Like a Girl!® On The 5 Leadership Lessons She Learned From Her Experience

The best leaders are transparent. Great leaders admit mistakes, ask for forgiveness and make bad decisions right. Attempting to appear perfect isn’t authentic. Through transparency, we show up in the world just as we are and, consequently, we grant others permission to show up as themselves too. Ultimately, we offer the world the very best of ourselves when we show up authentically and allow others to learn from our imperfections and failures.

As a part of our series about “Lessons From Inspirational Women in STEM and Tech”, we had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Kimberly Clay, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Play Like a Girl.

Dr. Kimberly Clay is founder and Chief Executive Officer of the nationally recognized nonprofit Play Like a Girl, which she established in 2004. Dr. Kim is responsible for setting the overall direction and program strategy for the organization. A respected social entrepreneur and nonprofit leader, Dr. Kim began her career at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gaining unparalleled experience in chronic disease prevention and health promotion. She later earned a PhD in public health, establishing herself as a respected behavioral scientist in cancer research. While her travels have taken her around the world, Dr. Kim is proud to call Nashville home.

Play Like a Girl is a volunteer-led national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to leveling the playing field for girls. We harness the collective power of women volunteers and male allies to unite around gender inequality and the critical role they play in inspiring the next generation of women leaders. Together, we leverage the skills gained from sport to propel young women into competitive, male-dominated careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and related fields (STEM+).

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

I began my career in public health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where I saw the gender and race gap in education and health firsthand while working in underserved communities as part of REACH, a national program designed to reduce disparities among racial and ethnic populations with the highest burden of chronic diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. For several years, I worked with grant recipients across the Southern U.S., in particular, to design and implement culturally-tailored interventions to address preventable risk behaviors, including tobacco use, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity among communities of color. This led me to pursue a PhD in public health and, later, to establish Play Like a Girl. But the path to my career as a published cancer researcher and University professor turned social entrepreneur and nonprofit executive began almost 30 years earlier.

As a child in rural Mississippi, I understood the need for diversity, equity and inclusion far too early in life. The child of sharecroppers, I grew up very conscious of race, racism and injustice of many forms. My mother, Effie Sledge, a first-generation college graduate who retired from over 35 years of public service as a school teacher was arrested and imprisoned overnight on Death Row at the infamous Parchman State Penitentiary for staging and participating in a sit-in demonstration led by black students demanding equal representation in college classrooms, student organizations, libraries and other campus facilities at Delta State College located in the Mississippi Delta following the death of a black student during a racially-motivated cafeteria fight in 1969.

Although more privileged than most, I grew up with my own personal experiences of racial discrimination and injustice in the same public school system where my mother served most of her career. That public school system still aimed to deny me an equal and free education under the law nearly 30 years after the Delta State sit-ins. As early as age 8, I recall feeling that I wasn’t smart enough or capable enough — especially in math and science — because of things done and said to me by white teachers. I recall labeling myself as “dumb in math,” and not pursuing opportunities in these subjects (which, ironically, I loved and performed well in) due to these self-limiting beliefs. But because of my parents, I would never stop believing that I could be and do anything. I just knew that I would have to be and do it elsewhere. I had to get out of those circumstances and the only sure pathway for me would be to pursue an undergraduate education at an historically black college or university (HBCU) after high school graduation.

At 18,I left home to attend Xavier University of Louisiana, a private, historically black, Catholic university in New Orleans, which coincidentally is recognized as a national leader in the sciences and liberal arts, maintaining its position as the top institution in the nation for producing the most African American graduates who successfully complete medical school. Ironically, one of them is my husband and Mississippi native, Mark Clay, who is triple board-certified in internal medicine, pediatrics and cardiac critical care, and our two sons, Joshua and Isaac, who are current Xavier students on track to medical school. Like the men in my life, Xavier is where I found my way. It is because of my attendance at Xavier, and programs like the Xavier University Ronald E. McNair Achievement Program funded by the United States Department of Education that I began to see myself as smart and capable again and, ultimately, went on to complete my PhD and build a successful career in STEM.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began at your company?

Do you want me to share a story that is interesting or funny? Or inspiring? Or both? Well, here goes… Since founding Play Like a Girl, I have had the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing women and men in sport and entertainment. I will never forget the day I met WNBA star Brittney Griner at the ESPNW Women in Sports Summit. She was so sweet and respectful to me as my 5’3.5” frame stood tiptoeing to embrace her with the top of my head only reaching her belly button.

Before being detained in Russia for nearly 10 months, Brittney established herself as one of the greatest female basketball players ever. Standing at 6’9” tall, Brittney’s height and athleticism have allowed her to be a dominant force in basketball. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. women’s national basketball team and a eight-time WNBA All-Star. Brittney became one of the most famous women athletes in the United States while playing at Baylor University, where she was recognized as the nation’s best female college basketball player in her last two seasons.

It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Even the smartest, savviest, most successful entrepreneurs make mistakes that, with the benefit of hindsight, are pretty funny. That’s because, even with the most diligent and thorough preparation, there are bound to be challenges that a startup founder doesn’t expect to encounter. One of my funniest mistakes with lots of teachable moments was the construction of my first office.

There’s something to be said for efficiency. As a chronic multitasker with frugal tendencies, something that always gets me excited is how I can make my life easier and more productive for the least amount of money and time. Starting out, that meant a spare reach-in coat closet turned office long before our new reality of working from home. Don’t get me wrong — efficiency truly is everything — especially in light of the past two years we’ve had due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes that have arisen from this total shift to working and caretaking, living, eating, and breathing at home. If you’re forced to do all the things in the space in which you live, you have to get creative.

I loved closing the door to tuck away my little office each day before walking across the room to make dinner for my young family. But before long, I ended up feeling isolated and stir crazy while dealing with files, electronic devices, and charging cords in a stuffy, improperly ventilated space — both a fire hazard and a hassle, might I add. I learned quickly that I needed much more than a space to sit and store my items. I needed a place where I could innovate and create. And three feet just weren’t getting it. Most importantly, I learned to invest in the areas of my business that are often least seen or experienced by others but produce the most results. For me, that meant investing in an office space that would afford me the opportunity to spread out and even roll around on the floor on days when I need to just laugh until I’m in tears.

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

Our essence as a company has always been unique. Play Like a Girl was established with the support of seven black women from the Deep South who, like me, were pursuing doctoral degrees in STEM-related disciplines (even for us, that was unheard of!) and saw the need to step up as role models and mentors to girls in their community. What makes Play Like a Girl different today is that we help women and men of all backgrounds see themselves as critical to breaking stereotypes and challenging barriers to gender equality — in the classroom, locker room and boardroom too. Our programs connect middle school girls with inspiring women role models and mentors who use sport to build girls’ confidence and guide them toward leadership — ultimately, unveiling the many pathways to competitive careers traditionally held by white men.

Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?

Currently, I am working with my team to make Play Like a Girl programs accessible to more girls nationwide. Unlike organizations that have resumed pre-pandemic programs, we have intentionally adapted our program model to offer the girls and women we serve a range of programs and services specially designed for a hybrid world. In the past, we relied heavily on in-person instruction given that our programs focus on building supportive relationships and teaching skills critical to succeed in the 21st century job market. But like many youth-serving organizations, we were compelled by COVID-19 to go virtual.

While the impact of the pandemic created challenges for just about every student, girls faced even more difficulties in already underrepresented disciplines like science and mathematics. It also inspired a long overdue reckoning on inequities that overwhelmingly disadvantage low-income communities, persons of color, non-English speakers, and students with disabilities. Our team saw this moment as an opportunity to reimagine our programs and keep our girls connected as social isolation continued. By embracing a new infrastructure, the organization could operate at scale and provide girls with more opportunities amid the “new normal.” For these reasons, Play Like a Girl has opted not to revert to our earlier in-person-only model. Instead, we’re offering a hybrid of virtual and in-person programming so that we can bolster our engagement with those students who are too often left behind. We believe the continued use of virtual and flexible programming, with a focus on access to technology and resources, will afford us the opportunity to reach even more girls.

Ok super. Thank you for all that. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview. Are you currently satisfied with the status quo regarding women in STEM? What specific changes do you think are needed to change the status quo?

I will never be satisfied with the low representation of women in STEM. And I won’t rest until it changes. That’s why Play Like a Girl exists. We’re leading the change which we believe starts with connecting girls to brilliant women in STEM so they can see themselves doing brilliant things too. Women represent 51% of the U.S. population. Yet, we make up less than one-third of the nation’s STEM workforce. At Play Like a Girl, we envision a world where the playing field is level but we can’t fix the leaky pipeline until every girl realizes her limitless potential. And she won’t find her place in STEM without a woman role model who sees herself as essential to how girls show up in the world. So we’re on a bold mission to help women and men see themselves as solutions to this problem.

In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges faced by women in STEM or Tech that aren’t typically faced by their male counterparts? What would you suggest to address this?

Belonging plays a pivotal role in the underrepresentation of women and people of color in STEM. Both populations have been largely underrepresented in, and historically excluded from, most STEM fields. Research indicates that women who remain in STEM report a greater sense of belonging than those who leave these fields. Additionally, research findings suggest that women from underrepresented groups are less likely to feel they belong, which likely contributes to their lower STEM interest. It’s important that girls view STEM fields as a place where they belong, and mentorship plays a powerful role in changing their perspectives.

If girls are exposed to strong, women role models and mentors in STEM, a career in these fields will seem as attractive and attainable as any other. Mentorship can also increase self confidence, boost communication skills, and enhance leadership qualities that will benefit girls throughout their careers. To accomplish this, Play Like a Girl has made career exposure and mentoring a priority to create a sense of belonging for girls and, ultimately, keep talented young women in STEM. More exposure to women scientists, engineers and innovators today allows girls to imagine themselves in similar roles in the future.

What are the “myths” that you would like to dispel about being a woman in STEM or Tech. Can you explain what you mean?

One of the myths I’d like to dispel about being a woman in STEM is that men are smarter or better. There’s a widely held false belief that men have the “math brain,” which discourages women from pursuing careers in STEM. However, research by the American Association of University Women confirms that there is no such thing as a “math brain.” People of all ages and genders are able to learn mathematics at the same pace. In fact, 8th grade girls outperform boys in technology and engineering, proving that girls can be and do anything — including math.

What are your “5 Leadership Lessons I Learned From My Experience as a Woman in STEM or Tech” and why. (Please share a story or example for each.)

A career in a leadership position can be intimidating and even overwhelming at times. Below are some important leadership lessons I’ve learned from my experience as a woman in STEM:

1. Leadership is hard. At times, leaders must make tough decisions which means you are going to make decisions that others can’t. A good leader can push through fear, assess risk, and take action when required.
2. True leaders serve. There are no rock star leaders seeking personal gain or glory in high-performing cultures. It’s all about the team win! Selfless leadership not only drives teamwork and partnership throughout a company, but it also prevents barriers from arising that can kill collaboration and innovation.
3. Strong leaders build strong teams. Aristotle wisely wrote ‘The whole is greater than the sum of its parts’. This quote is especially poignant as it relates to teams. Building a solid team relies on each team member bringing their own unique skills and experience to bear. Truth is…we’re better together.
4. The best leaders are transparent. Great leaders admit mistakes, ask for forgiveness and make bad decisions right. Attempting to appear perfect isn’t authentic. Through transparency, we show up in the world just as we are and, consequently, we grant others permission to show up as themselves too. Ultimately, we offer the world the very best of ourselves when we show up authentically and allow others to learn from our imperfections and failures.
5. Integrity is the blunt refusal to compromise. What we do when no one is watching is the best reflection of who we are. Stay true to what you believe. Adapt and adjust when necessary. But never compromise.

What advice would you give to other women leaders to help their team to thrive?

Work with a spirit of excellence. What you put out into the world will return to you in some form. It pays to show up excellently.

What advice would you give to other women leaders about the best way to manage a large team?

Delegate and trust others to do the work — even if it’s not the way you would do it.

None of us is able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I am most grateful to my husband, Mark Clay, who has afforded me the opportunity to live my dream, doing exactly what I was created to do every single day. He has supported my life’s work every step of the way — even financing it while I’ve led the company as a volunteer, earning no salary or benefits for over 12 years now. Because of my husband’s sacrifice for my dream, generations of girls and young women will one day live their dreams too. And, together, we will finally level the playing field for girls everywhere.

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?

There are good people everywhere. We miss seeing the good people around us because we have failed to appreciate what goodness really is. Goodness is about how we treat others. To bring more goodness to the world, I use my lived experiences (both my successes and failures) to pay it forward through the mentorship of young women in my own life.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I would like to inspire the movement of crazy faith — trusting God for the impossible.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.” — Chinua Achebe

This quote compels us to never compromise our standards even when everyone around us has fallen prey to the demands to do so.

We are very blessed that very prominent leaders read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them :-)

I’d love to share a meal with Denzel Washington and his son, John David. These men are not only my favorite actors but they are two of my favorite human beings ever because of how they honor Pauletta (wife and mother, respectively) for her role in their careers.

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.