Dayna Adelman
Dayna Adelman

 Dayna Adelman is brewed with a passion for storytelling, the thrill of a travel adventure, and the love of a good challenge. Driven to doing things outside the box, she has taken a more unconventional path to finding personal and professional success. That is, if convention is defined by the New York community in which she grew up.

Her career as a corporate affairs professional has taken her to live in four countries on three continents, where, in her first decade, she continued to defy the odds as the youngest—and sometimes only female—in the room.

Dayna is a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in journalism and dramatic art. Go Tar Heels! 

She currently resides in New York City. 

The Youngest One in the Room

What does Forrest Gump have in common with each of us? A life of unplanned yet meaningful escapades.

At least, that is what Dayna Adelman believes. In her literary debut, Dayna takes you on a behind-the-scenes journey through the first decade of her career--as the youngest one in the [board] room. She showers us with personal anecdotes and...

Praise

This book is the author's account of her professional journey from consultancy to the corporate world, sitting in meetings, proposing and leading teams and all while growing in her confidence.
It's an encouraging book to read especially for any woman joining the workforce and looking to learn a thing or two about the spaces you may have to navigate.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

– Dora Okeyo, NetGalley.com

This book offers a detailed and insightful account of the author's professional journey, starting from her time in consultancy to her transition into the corporate world. Through a series of personal anecdotes, she walks the reader through the challenges and triumphs of sitting in high-stakes meetings, proposing ideas, and leading teams—all while developing her confidence and navigating the complex dynamics of the workplace. The book does a great job of showing how personal growth and professional success can go hand-in-hand, especially for women stepping into leadership roles.

One of the things I appreciated about this book is its honesty. The author doesn’t shy away from discussing the difficulties she faced along the way—whether it was navigating office politics, balancing work with personal life, or learning to assert herself in male-dominated spaces. These raw and real experiences are both encouraging and eye-opening, providing a realistic view of what it's like to build a career from the ground up.

For women in particular, the book serves as both a guide and a source of empowerment. The author’s journey is relatable for anyone who has struggled with self-doubt or faced challenges in the workplace, offering tangible advice on how to overcome those obstacles. It's clear that the author genuinely wants to help others succeed, and her insights into team dynamics, leadership, and confidence-building are incredibly valuable.

While the writing isn't necessarily groundbreaking, the lessons shared are worth noting, especially for those entering or navigating the professional world. It’s a practical and inspiring read, offering wisdom that could help anyone, especially young women, better navigate the complexities of work and leadership. I'm giving it decent 3 ⭐.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy!

– Sav, NetGalley.com

Thank you, NetGalley, for this book. All thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed this read about Dayna Adelman's journey from a college student at UNC to a communications professional for a large, multinational company. A good mix of personal anecdotes, both happy and sad, and advice for those who find themselves the "youngest one in the room" during their professional journeys. A common thread throughout is one many of us women forget - prioritize yourself, whether that's fitness, personal/professional development/social while taking care of everyone else. If you don't, you're left behind while everyone else is getting ahead. Quick, engaging read.

– Carianne Carleo-Evangelist, NetGalley.com

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