Running with Grace: A Wall Street Insider’s Path to True Leadership, a Purposeful Life, and Joy in the Face of Adversity

by Lori Van Dusen

A Winter 2024 PenCraft Best Book Awards Winner - Nonfiction, Memoir

A 2023 Wall Street Journal Bestseller

A work of "great emotional power." -Kirkus

"Van Dusen's brisk debut is equally heart-warming and motivating, as no matter what life throws at her Van Dusen never stops running after her goals.... Fans of upbeat business memoirs will be engaged as Van Dusen sets the pace." -BookLife by Publishers Weekly

"There are a lot of valuable lessons to be learned from Lori's story... I liked how this book didn't just focus on her wins but talked about the challenges she faced. The book is no fluff..." -Seattle Book Review

Running with Grace is [Lori Van Dusen's] story of triumphs and defeats, told to inspire the reader to never give up. -Readers' Favorite

Nothing about Lori Van Dusen's childhood indicated she'd become one of the nation's top independent financial advisors. She was born prematurely on the wrong side of the tracks and with a genetic blood disorder. Her parents divorced when she and her twin brother were less than a year old. But her big, boisterous, loving Italian family, led by her beloved grandfather, a first-generation American with only an eighth-grade education, taught her that the only limitations in life are those we impose on ourselves.

As a young person, Lori wanted to sing on Broadway, not manage money on Wall Street. But in 1986, this quiet, serious young woman walked into the rough-and-tumble, eat-what-you-kill world of Shearson Lehman Brothers and never looked back. She fought her way to the top by thinking outside the box and working her ass off despite the jeers, insults, and sideways glances. Her secret weapon? A need to prove herself so strong she could outwork anyone.

But Lori's trajectory to the top was not a straight, upward line; it was a rollercoaster. She hit the pinnacle of success only to have it ripped away in a legal battle with one of the biggest banks in the world. She was raped by a PhD candidate at Harvard, swindled by a business partner, and battled two life-altering medical diagnoses. None of that, though, would compare to having the two people she loved most in the world taken way too soon.

Despite the fear and pain, Lori remained hopeful and resilient. In this memorable, poignant, and inspiring memoir, she shares her lowest lows and highest highs as well as hard-earned wisdom from her bumpy personal, professional, and spiritual journey. Life was never meant to be fair, she learned, but we must keep running with grace if we are to find purpose and joy in the face of adversity.

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2023

Reviews

[Savannah Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really needed to read this book during this time in my life. Sometimes a book that you put off reading makes its way to the top of the stack like devine intervention. Doesn't matter the genre, because we can always find hope in an author's words. This book provided a great reminder about moving forward and that we fall face challenges that we must overcome in our own time.

[Tim Somers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Endless self promotion. I can’t believe the author wrote this. Yes she has had some tough times, but so have millions of others and they don’t feel the need to publish it. Nothing even slightly interesting or learned from this book and am amazed so many others rated it so highly.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

This was a moving and compelling read. The author did an incredible job of layering this narrative and true story with a healthy balance of drama and heart. The author’s personal story brought the detailed aspects of the financial industry to life, and her experiences while making her way up the corporate ladder were insightful and engaging.

Yet, it was the heart that was poured into this narrative that made the story so gripping. The memoir proved to be more about the trials and tribulations that the author faced both in their personal and professional life rather than a linear tale of the world of Wall Street, and this allowed the reader to connect and fully feel the emotional weight of the author’s life experiences. The tension and heartbreak the author’s life touches upon and how she overcame tragedy to become the person she is today send a sad yet uplifting message that readers can resonate with powerfully.

The Verdict

Remarkable, insightful, and engaging, author Lori Van Dusen’s “Running with Grace” is a must-read memoir and business book. The heartfelt delivery of such a personal story and its impact not only on the author’s life but also on readers looking to make their mark in the world will keep people invested in this thoughtful and heartening read.

[Kelly Pramberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful recap of a very strong woman's life. I enjoyed learning all about Lori's relationships and her story. I thought she did a great job of structuring the flow of her book. The feelings she had at different points in her life really had me feeling for her. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars!

[Ishieta Chopra · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh the pain and the beauty of her story! An inspiring read, a strong woman and I am glad that in the face of the hardships, she really stood up, and how!
A lot of her experiences are the kind that would break a person. I cannot imagine the strength it would have taken for her to overcome the challenges - Her mind is something to learn from!

[Dana Sugg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book. Lori has an incredible work ethic and I'm sure she is a honorable person. The story was interesting but very sad start to finish. I'd not known of her before listening to the book. I was most interested in how she dealt with her husband's suicide but it was 1 sentence, and therefore I was disappointed. The audio voice is monotone. I was grateful it was a short book.

[Sarah Buron · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! This was a compelling memoir and a fast read. I enjoyed getting to know the author and my heart broke learning of the tragic news about her husband. Thanks to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Olympia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read like a laundry list of life events.

[Faith Mosseau Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting memoir and a look at perseverance during hardships