We were lucky to catch up with Shalaya Morissette recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shalaya, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is *Becoming a Chieftess: Celebrating Extraordinary Women Leaders*, a coloring book designed to inspire and empower young girls by showcasing the achievements of trailblazing women across various industries. This project is deeply personal and rooted in both my professional mission and my personal journey.

The idea for the book was born out of my passion for representation, leadership, and legacy. As a woman navigating leadership roles in the energy sector and beyond, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is to have role models—women who have broken barriers, redefined industries, and paved the way for others. However, I’ve also seen how often these stories go untold, leaving young girls without tangible examples of what’s possible. I wanted to change that.

This project became even more personal because of my own journey with healing. After giving birth to my daughter, I developed postpartum preeclampsia and spent days alone in the hospital. It was an incredibly difficult time, both physically and emotionally. One of the things that helped me cope and stay calm was coloring. It was therapeutic—it gave me a sense of control and peace in a moment when I felt vulnerable. That experience stayed with me, and it made me realize just how powerful something as simple as coloring can be. I wanted to create a book that wasn’t just inspiring but also provided a space for reflection, creativity, and healing.

Another layer of meaning in this project is my daughter. These women aren’t just leaders—they are her superheroes. She gets to meet them, learn from them, and be surrounded by women who shower her with love and expose her to the most incredible opportunities, especially in STEM. She sees, firsthand, what is possible.

And perhaps one of the most special aspects of *Becoming a Chieftess* is that my own superhero—my mother—is featured in the book. She is the embodiment of strength, wisdom, and resilience, and having her story included makes this project even more meaningful. It’s a full-circle moment, honoring the women who came before us while inspiring the next generation.

The impact of *Becoming a Chieftess* became even more real at its launch event, where many of the featured women gathered to celebrate together. Seeing their excitement, hearing how much it meant to them, and knowing that this book would reach young girls who need to see themselves as future leaders made every challenge in this journey worth it.

At its core, this project is about legacy-building. It’s about ensuring that young girls see themselves as chieftesses—leaders, innovators, and history-makers. And if just one girl picks up this book and realizes she can be anything she dreams of, then this will have been one of the most important projects of my life.

Shalaya, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those who may not have heard of me before, I’m Shalaya Morissette—a leader, strategist, and advocate dedicated to shaping the future of clean energy, diversity, and economic opportunity. With over 13 years of experience spanning Business Administration, Energy, and Engineering, I’ve built a career focused on driving transformative change at the intersection of policy, community, and education.

My journey into the energy sector wasn’t a straight path, but rather one shaped by curiosity, persistence, and a commitment to impact. I began in the utility sector, ensuring safety and compliance with city and state regulations, which gave me firsthand insight into the operational challenges of energy infrastructure. I later expanded my work to higher education and global transportation, taking on leadership roles that deepened my expertise in networking, community engagement, and workforce development. Teaching engineering with a focus on energy at Dearborn STEM Academy in Boston was one of my most fulfilling roles—mentoring 11th and 12th graders, equipping them with the knowledge to pursue careers in clean technology, and witnessing their growth fueled my passion for empowering the next generation.

Now, as Vice President of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives, my work continues to center on connecting businesses, policymakers, and underrepresented communities to opportunities within the clean energy space. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside thousands of organizations, helping them navigate federal funding programs and build sustainable, inclusive solutions. My ability to see the big picture, identify gaps, and create meaningful connections is what sets me apart.

In addition to my leadership in the energy sector, I’m also a creative entrepreneur. One of my most personal and impactful projects is Becoming a Chieftess: Celebrating Extraordinary Women Leaders*, a coloring book that honors trailblazing women across various industries. The book was born out of my own experience—after developing postpartum preeclampsia and spending days in the hospital alone, I found solace in coloring. That experience reminded me how powerful creativity can be as a tool for healing, reflection, and empowerment. I wanted to create something that not only tells the stories of remarkable women but also provides a space for young girls to dream, create, and see themselves as future leaders.

What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve built around my work. Whether it’s through energy policy, workforce development, mentorship, or creative storytelling, everything I do is rooted in a mission to open doors, build pathways, and ensure that opportunities are accessible to all. I want my work to inspire young girls, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders alike—to show that with vision, strategy, and persistence, we can create lasting change.

For anyone looking to connect with me, my work, or my brand, know that I am passionate about leadership, representation, and impact. Whether through clean energy initiatives, strategic partnerships, or creative projects like Becoming a Chieftess, my goal is always to empower others, build bridges, and leave a legacy of transformation.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

During my first bachelor’s degree, I had the incredible opportunity to compete in a social entrepreneurship competition inspired by the work of Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Dr. Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and the founder of microfinance, has profoundly influenced my approach to leadership, business, and social impact. His philosophy on entrepreneurship as a tool for solving global challenges resonated deeply with me and shaped the way I think about creating opportunities through business.

One of his ideas that has always stuck with me is the Bonsai Tree analogy. He explains that just like a bonsai tree is not inherently small but remains stunted because it is planted in a tiny pot, people are often limited not by their abilities but by their environment and access to opportunities. This perspective has fueled my passion for creating spaces where people—especially women and underrepresented communities—can grow, thrive, and maximize their potential.

For those interested in learning more, here are a few great resources on Dr. Yunus and his approach to social entrepreneurship:
“Building Social Business Models: Lessons from the Grameen Experience” – Dr Yunus
USG Competition – College Students Solving Social Issues – https://www.usg.edu/news/release/usg_competition_lets_college_students_solve_social_issues
Georgia Students Compete to Solve Social Problems –
Muhammad Yunus on Creative Potential & Bonsai People – https://www.povertycure.org/learn/media/muhammad-yunus-creative-potential-bonsai-people

His work constantly reminds me that entrepreneurship is not just about business—it’s about innovation, impact, and reshaping the world for the better.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the idea that stress is always a bad thing. For so long, we’ve been told that stress is something to avoid, that it’s harmful, or that it means we’re failing. But I’ve come to believe that stress is actually a reflection of how we will handle success.

Success comes with pressure—deadlines, expectations, responsibilities, and challenges. If we fold under stress, it’s a preview of how we might handle the pressures that come with achieving our biggest goals. Instead of fearing stress, I started treating it like a training ground. Just like engineers stress-test concrete to ensure it won’t crack under pressure, we need to embrace challenges as part of our growth.

For me, stress became an opportunity to refine my mindset, build resilience, and develop strategies to navigate the weight of leadership and success. Now, instead of seeing stress as a barrier, I use it as a measurement tool—an indicator of where I need to grow, adjust, and push forward.

This shift in perspective has been a game-changer, allowing me to navigate high-stakes projects, major career shifts, and personal challenges with confidence. Success isn’t about avoiding stress—it’s about learning how to thrive within it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chieftessconsulting.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalayam
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalayam/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@shalayam

Image Credits

POP Media
United State Department of Energy